Skins texture theft: How are Lindens going to deal with it?

Sounds about right. Makes sense, they are a business in the end.

As I said before (or at least aluded to, don't feel like checking what I actually wrote), if anything else is wanted then enough of the userbase needs to voice their desire for it. And, IIRC, LL have said it takes 100 peeps before they'll even look at a suggestion.

Yes, this is pretty much my problem with the current policy.

I think, as you previously mentioned, we will have to rely on the community to police this issue. Unfortunately, I think many people are unaware when they are purchasing stolen goods. They could be new residents, or buying skins that have been made using parts 'ripped' from other content-providers. When a person uses parts of a skin texture (torso, facial, buttock, etc...) it becomes nearly impossible to prove.

I find it completely frustrating that we have absolutely no defense in this matter. The LL stance only serves to exacerbate the problem offering thieves a nearly 'Carte Blanche' enviorment to work in.

I’m at complete a loss.

If getting paid is the only thing you think about, I suggest that you get out of selling things in SL. The "quality" in SL is pretty bad now and you want to make it worse. Also you want to impose yourself on others in your crusade of ridding the world of the evil stealer of product.



At least Linden Labs is not bound to follow your commands. Also I hate getting called a thief from some of the "nice" residents in this forum because of my position on permissions. Been called that and next person to do so will be rewarded for their deed. I like to play with the things that belong to me and change them to meet my needs. I don’t make copies to give to my friends. Wish I could buy a nice no copy transferable object as presents, ho hum. About buying stuff, after a certain point there is no need to buy objects in SL. All of the clothing are variations of each other, don’t need to buy consumables and the skins are about the same as one another. Buildings are plentiful, common and free.



There is no need for anyone to buy a no mod, no copy and no transfer item. Stop worrying about getting ripped off and make something people would want to pay money to get.

I'm not sure how your trumping analogy relates to proving the identity of a content creator. Given that TGA is a baked rendering of a layered image, I am not really following your point.

Also, with higher resolution comes lag. For me, it's a balancing act between quality layered skin textures and avatar-specific texture-loading lag. (Say that three times fast!)

As for me, I am in the process of retrofitting my skins with watermarks. I originally thought that, since I was selling skins and not textures, I was safe. Forgot all about the codec spoofs...

I think what they meant is the person who can produce a hi-res PSD file with the various elements of the skins on layers has more credibility than someone with a 512X512 flattened copy.

Thats probably the best way to win the case. Now I'm kinda glad I kept all mine as PSD files with all 10-20 layers intact.

True about layered PSDs, but the original trumping analogy doesn't really hold true if they know how to use something like S-Spline Pro well. Cuz like I could produce a higher rez version of your original image than you

What I mean is if I have the only copy of my skin texture at 1024x1024 as a leyered PSD file and only upload 512x512 TGA files, then I can pretty much determine where other copies have come from unless someone breaks into my studio and steals my computer.

No argument there 512x512 uploads are as large as I will ever go.

Watermarking won't work unless it is "strong" watermarking throughout the entire image. I think you will find it tough to implement it with lossy JPEG2000 compression. The only other option is to confine the watermarking to the areas outside the UV map boundaries. That is what I do with my skins. If nothing, it proves further criminal intent if that area gets reworked to eliminate the watermarking.

Call me crazy, but if you see your copyrighted material being distributed without your permission, why not just send LL a DMCA takedown notice? If they don't then take steps to remove the infringing copies, then they could potentially be vicariously liable for the infringement.

Oh yeah, I keep copies of all of my original PSD files. In reality, if someone were to copy my skins, I'd probably just "archive" my own production version and distribute a lesser free version.

Exactly what am I selling, Ranma?




Please quote me where I imply I want to impose myself on anyone. I have ideas about how I think people should behave and respect the work of others. That is not "imposing" by my definition of the word.



I'm glad you figured that out. Congratulations.



Who called you a thief?



And who are you attempting to threaten?



So again, who called you a thief?



Again, what exactly do I sell that has me "worrying about getting ripped off"???

I'm not sure how powerfull this tool is (looks like it's now called PhotoZoom Pro), having never used it, but if it can re-create individual highlighted skin pores out of single pixels, I'll be impressed.

Thanks for the clarification - I gotcha now.

Good point about watermarking. That's exactly what I am doing - watermarking outside the UV boundaries. Even so, your point is valid - maybe I'll stop and only watermark new releases.

Also not foolproof. editing a pirated texure enough and you will end up with a 50+ layer psd file. Then again if they edit it that much how much of the original work is left and is it a philisophical point, or technical, valid, or not valid.

Not currently being a content creator I hadn't looked into it before and had always assumed a DMCA takedown notice was something you'd need to get lawyers involved in and thus something that wouldn't be worth it to most people. Looks like it isn't though, so I guess that if you've got proof you're the originator of the content it should work.

Anyone ever tried it?

I don't think you even need proof as long as you're willing to swear under penalty of perjury that you have a good faith belief that your copyright is being infringed.

I imagine getting flooded by hundreds of DMCA takedown notices from users who have had content improperly copied because of permissions bugs would get LL to take the permission system a little more seriously...

Sorry, It was in the forums and it is a viloation of the TOS to slander someone. The other is not a threat, it is just that people look petty making charges against others that are not backed up and that is the reward. I dont have a clue on how to get around the permissions. I play SL for the FUN of it!

Didnt know you are not a merchant, because you sure sound like one! You walk the walk, you talk the talk!

Also can I get some ideal of how much money you creators and merchants are losing from copiers? Some cases but no names please!I wish to have better understanding.

I'm very sorry to hear that you were the victim of thievery, Storma. Your skins are excellent and show the tremendous detail and work that you go through to make them so lifelike (and seamless). It does give one pause when buying from an "unknown entity" so to speak. I worry that such behaviour impacts negatively on new designers as well as more established designers because folks like me might be reticent, now, to buy what might be "hot" goods (hot as in stolen).

I wish you success in proving this theft and stopping the spread of illegal copies. If you IM me the names of those responsible, I assure you I will avoid all goods made by the thieves. Cheers, ~ Persephone

I think that you are missing my point. Lets say I run a general store and have been having a minor shoplifting problem. To solve this I put in place very strict controls on customers on how they go shopping. Lets make them take off their street clothes and wear only a yakata that is provided by the store. They do their shopping and cash out. Their goods go out a different door and they go back through security to make sure they are not stealing, body cavity searches, etc. When proven clean of our goods they get there clothing back and can pick up their purchases. It would do a lot to cure the shop lifting problem but at what cost? How many customers would return for a repeat visit?

It is the same with your customers, if you create bad will with your customers they will not return for more of the same. Most likely you will not hear bad comments just nothing. You might have a more secure product but at what cost? I am just very vocal on a computer, am much more quiet in person.

A link to the comment where I called you a "thief" (you are quoting me in this response, after all) wouldn't be "slander". In fact, a link to anyone's comment calling you a "thief" isn't against the ToS.

Link please.



Because I *sound* like one!?!?!

In other words, you didn't know what you were talking about but felt the need to say something incorrect and effectively worthless.

Got it.

I have said it before and I will say it again; "Do not upload any texture/graphic you are not willing to part with."

On a side note for the OP did you create the skin texture yourself or did you buy it from a graphics site?

Cat

Where is your name involved other than responding. Americans have become hyper sensitive. In any case you are the wrong gender. A female called me that ugly word. Ok?

You sound like a merchant, is being called that a ugly word in America? As I said before and will again. You did not call me that name and I never said so.

By replying with a quote bearing my name, you implicate me by not making it clear it was not I who used that word and made that comment about you. It's not "hypersensitive"; it's a reaction to someone not being courteous enough to make it clear to start with.

And still no link.



It is when you try to use it in an ugly manner by suggesting my comments are based on a mythical SL business.

Next time, just get your facts straight before feeling free to post inaccurate comments. It's also less than courteous.

Can you please stop stereotyping Americans, You obviously know nothing about Americans!
If Americans are so bad, maybe you should get out of America... This isnt the first time you have insulted Americans in the forums...

Ranma: I was called a thief in the forum because of my position on permissions.
Csven: Who called you a thief?
Ranma: It was in the forum and against the TOS.
Csven: Can I have a link to where I called you a thief?
Ranma: Where did I say you called me a thief?
Csven: You quoted me, that means what you're saying is about me.