Trademark/Copyright violation list expanded

In light of recent posts throught the forums about copyright violations and even a list that is occuring I think a new list needs to be formed with categories so that these items can be tracked. Look below for the categories and I will update them as I am able.

To have someone added to each list DO NOT GIVE NAMES. Give only the SHOP, CLUB, OR LAND name and/or locations.

The groups are:
Clothing
Music/sounds/videos
Objects
Other

Details for each will be added if questions come up about what would be concidered a violation. In general the rules are as follows"

ANY ITEM IN SECOND LIFE THAT SOMEONE ELSE MADE OUTSIDE OF SECOND LIFE. Exceptions can be made and removed from the list if the owner of the trademark/copyright admits giving permission. Locations can also be removed upon confirmation of said items placing a person on the list have been remvoed along with any other offending items.

{Disclaimer: I am doing this as an informative and educational tool. I myself have stated I side with neither side exclusivly and look at the behavior of all involved. I have no desire to do this but it is becoming apparent that maybe something extreme like this is needed to allow everyone to see the full picture.}

List of locations, shops, clubs violating copyright/trademark selling clothing.

List of locations, shops, clubs violating copyright/trademark selling music, videos, sounds.

List of locations, shops, clubs violating copyright/trademark selling objects.

List of locations, shops, clubs violating copyright/trademark selling ther items not fitting above groups.

Be aware, you are putting yourself in danger of legal action if you include someone wrongfully in this list. I wouldn't put anyone on a list of people who violate the law(yes, listing only the shop is listing the owner) unless I had written permission from the copyright holder to publish these places/people by name of shop or Av. and even then I doubt I would put my neck on the line for this crusade.

If one goes about accusing others of crimes, the accusee may seek damages. One should be sure one's accusations will hold up in court. I know if someone wrongfully defamed me I would seek damages if any damage was done.

I'm sure a shop owner can show the drop in sales as proof of damages.

Just my humble opinion

as you say in your own profile "Why limit yourself." ?

Legal action where? You are not losing money in real life. If LL has a problem with this list they can let me know but concidering similar post have occured posting people's names by linking to a website and I am using this not be cruel but to prove a point I see no harm in it.

I assume you mean my in game profile.
Again I am not looking for arguements about why or why not to do violate copyrights. I am looking for cold, hard, information. Maybe if people see how many violations are occuring and where they will not e so fast to point fingers or maybe th efinger pointers will have more proof.

While I agree with copyright awareness, this may not be the best way to go about it. A more comprehensive take might be to submit this as an article to the Second Life Herald.

In the spirit of simplicity and integrity, let me add two additional criteria to this:

- Object must be sold, either for Lindens or USD
- Object must infringe on real-life copyright in a broad sense (example: Coca Cola)

I add these because, under special circumstances, "fan art" and "signage" are legally allowed under fair use. The point I personally draw the line is direct sales and, occasionally, indirect marketting.

And, since Lindens are so entwined with USD at this point, it's safe to say that sales in one currency implies the other for many residents.

Continue.

So if Im selling a replica of the boat from the movie Jaws (1977)?

ps. It comes with a cool barrel that follows the boat too.

That is my intent and I am trying to actually get the "rules" taken care of but unfortunatly an evil word called work is stopping me from doing so at this time. I was even going to include the use of "dwell" as it resulst in L$ and as you say can cause USD conversions.

That would depend. Obviously you can sell "a boat" you can even sell an "energy blade". As stated elsewhere there is a "degree" that comes into play.

Selling "Replica of boat from Jaws" is questionable.
Selling "The boat from the movie Jaws" is illegal.
Selling "Insert type of boat it was here)" Is not illegal.

Some people live on this "play" money. Right now you can sell $5000L on IGE for $19.90us dollars. It's real money to the shop owners who would file a claim in small claims. It would only equal the actual amount of the recordable loss. If a shop owner could show a dramatic drop in sales after a sign was posed next door to his shop claiming his goods are illegal due to copyright/trademark infringement, he could seek damages if he could show the accusation was without basis.

I'm not suggesting anything with my post. I'm pointing the danger involved. If one is 100% sure of the accusation and feels strongly enough to face any consequences there may be, then by all mean, do it.

More of my opinion of course

If there was no procedure for removal from the list that might work but with an option to be removed with proof I'm nto sure that would stand up well.

LL has the legal right to demand these shop owners comply with any rules LL applies. Residents don't have legal standing to force action of another resident. The shop owner is forced to provide an average resident proof of their rights in order to be free of the negative publicity? I don't think that would remove any liability. But of course, it's just my opinion

I'm half tempted just to leave it like this. Maybe the fact that people are willing to do this just to get everyone to be quiet will squeelch the dead horse kicking.

Maybe I will keep it up and see if anyone else gets interested enough to assist. Seems everyone wnats a list but noone wants to help. Wonder why.

Good cop, bad cop. Easiest way to propagate a list is to print out a copy of the grid, fly around a bit, and draw little "Xs" on every infringement you come across.

Of course, identifying the problem and actually solving it are two separate animals. My opinion is people will respect the rules only if they're socially binding.

In this case, the society is formed on drawing inspiration from others. Problem is, that leads to a lot of copycat advertising and infringement. Paradigm shift? Good luck with today's internet culture.

Peer pressure stops people "snitching" in public.

As I've mentioned SL-ingo elsewhere on these forums I'll stick my neck out and say SL-ingo, everywhere, from slingo.com.

In one of the hotline to Linden posts, Robin Linden stated that if we saw copyright violations, and are bothered by it to report it to the copyright holder and they can use their DMCA rights to have LL take it down. If it is a Trademark violation that is making you mad, you can abuse report those in the game and LL will deal with it.

"Snitching" is a very admirable trait and quality.

Whistle blowers are some of the most important and courageous people in our society.

Snitching with a selfish agenda that improves one's personal convienence however is a somewhat immoral thing to do in many cases.

possibly true

Especially when its comes to Trademark violations.

-------------------------------------

An additional thought about vigilante "copyright police" -

Minding one's own Business -- ALSO an admirable quality.

I'm not mad over the violations. I'm mad over this "If you violate you are lazy" and "attack the violator" attitude I have seen latly when 90% of those against it are participating in it or are not consistant in thier yelling. If you are going to yell then yell consistantly. The largest violations are still being done but noone says anything becuase they "enjoy it" so who cares.

If you are going to go on a crusade then go on a crusade, not a walk in the daisies with a big stick looking for field mice. (yes a slight bunny foo-foo reference.)

What if you're just snitching as a part time hobby to amuse yourself?

Somehow I have high doubts about there being a large number of people who livelyhood depends on $L profits. I also have a hard time seeing Paramount Pictures caring about Star Trek Avis or Lucasfilm going ballistic over lightsabers. And what kind of person does it take to go, "YOO HOO! Mr. Big Copyright Owner!!! I have a molehill you can make a mountain out of!!!"

Know what? I have a Jack Skellington avi, a full set of Star Trek outfits, a lightsaber (not an 'energy beam'....a *lightsaber*), and a bunch of posters of Buffy/Angel shows. Please send my little copyright violating tush into court.

I do think that if someone makes this their "issue" they should go full force and not just single out certain people - using the tools that LL provides. I haven't reported anyone for just this reason. I am against the commercial (> L$1) use of TM's and copyrights in game, but do not have the time or energy to make it my crusade. Plus, I end up buying some of this stuff against my better judgment!

Bopping mice on the head is not productive and the half-hearted self-policing we have all been guilty of is not helping. If we were concerned about keeping the lawyers/DMCA notices away, we would do a better job of banding together and not buying infriging materials. But, as some have already said, some of the offending items are just too good!

If you will excuse me, I will go back to dressing my AV in NASCAR logo's and have him finish setting up his Apple G5 server farm.