Redistributing custom content

[daysies]

There has been increased activity of content being reposted from other sites, free or paid, that have disclaimers that their items can not be redistributed. In addition to that, if a creator has decided to pull their content, you must get permission from the creator to redistribute, unless it has been stated otherwise in a thread or post.

Let us remind you that this is not tolerated. If (and when) we find this happening on MTS2, the attachments will be deleted (or thread) and you will be warned. If you are a repeat offender, you will be banned.

If you come across a thread with questionable content, please click on report bad post icon so someone on staff can be alerted. Let's play fair, everybody. Thanks for your attention to this matter.

[Purplepaws]

I'm glad you addressed this. It really bugs me when someone reposts someone else's work... especially when they claim is as their own. My thanks and sympathy goes out to all the moderators who continually have to put up with this. You guys are the best!

[Marisa]

but redistributable content like helaene's skins and stuff is ok (comming with created sims)? right

[daysies]

but redistributable content like helaene's skins and stuff is ok (comming with created sims)? right
As long as they clearly state it on their site or in their threads, we must follow their terms of distribution.

We can't babysit everything that comes through MTS2, but generally speaking, if you didn't make it, you can't distribute it or claim it as your own.

[Dark Mythril]

Thanks for addressing this. :)

[pink_pixie]

thanks for addressing it, it's soooo annoying when stupid people think they can get away with it when its quite obviouse they stole it

[c18]

people should not use anyone elses work its not right

but.. i have one question but i dont know where to ask it so ill ask it here
a new exspansion is coming out soon i think its called open for buisness
will there be any new mods for it and will the old ones still work if i buy it then instal it?
please will some one tel me.

[kohaku]

what if you made it with a sim? If you give where you got it from is it ok or do we have to slap a line of links to the 50 places we got the stuff from? I understand people don't want there things being stolen but if you give credit, post the site or post where you got it and don't claim it as your own, that should be ok.

[daysies]

what if you made it with a sim? If you give where you got it from is it ok or do we have to slap a line of links to the 50 places we got the stuff from? I understand people don't want there things being stolen but if you give credit, post the site or post where you got it and don't claim it as your own, that should be ok.
If you read the creator guidelines, when you upload here, it is required that you provide links and credit where you got the content to make your Sim. That is part of the approval process. Just look at any of the examples if you are unsure of what to put.

[daysies]

people should not use anyone elses work its not right

but.. i have one question but i dont know where to ask it so ill ask it here
a new exspansion is coming out soon i think its called open for buisness
will there be any new mods for it and will the old ones still work if i buy it then instal it?
please will some one tel me.
Let's keep this thread on topic, please. Besides, how can we make new mods/content if none of us have it to play with? We can't make something out of nothing.

[Lovers&Friends]

Yeah especially with all the new members (some not knowing the rules) I keep on seeing this happening a lot. Good thing I don't know how to upload and don't wanna learn! :P

[MTS2Staff]

Just a general rule of thumb to reitterate what Daysies said-
If you create a sim or house you can use custom content- its your responsibility to make sure the content you use comes from creators who dont mind sharing. And we here insist you put links to the original sites you got everything from. Its respectful and courteous.

I think this is more to do with outright theft. Do not repost anything here and say you made it yoruself. DO not package sims or houses or anything with meshes from other sites. If the site allows recoloring then post your recolor with a link for people to download the mesh from the original site.

There are maybe one or two sites who freely say please share our meshes- we know which sites they are and we do allow that. But thats two out of hundreds and hundreds. We prefer you dont share meshes at all. Its a lighter server load here and the link to the original site increases traffic to those creators so generously making items for the community.

There are also sites who expressly forbid sharing or altering of their content. You need to pay attention as uplaoders to their wishes- Otherwise your downlaods can be removed or rejected over this. Its jsut a heads up to please be respectful and more conscious of your creations. Thanks everyone

[Ghanima Atreides]

I agree with this, getting actual links to the items is not that immensly hard to do.

However, I have a question, for example when uploading a Sim, the makeup, eyes, skin which normally are packed with the sim, can they remain as they are or strip the sim entirely down to maxis content and post a link for eyeshadow, eyeliner etc...? I am all for giving credit where it's due and naming the creator plus a link to their site is very understandable, but are those still allowed to be packed with the file now?...unless there's a strict prohibition like on Arthemista's site for example.

[punkmonkey123]

daysies i know wat ur saying.and i totally agree with u.as much as i hate paysites, i would never let someone get away with this. its not right.i hate ppl like that. they r soooooooo st00pid! if they did it on accident, i can understand. but if they knew.... i would report it

[MTS2Staff]

Ghanima as long as the creators allow it on their site it can stay on the sim. only the items that arent allowed to be shared- but you think it makes the sim look right- must be pulled and a link given

[Ghanima Atreides]

*nod* totally understandable. Thanks for clearing it up, LyricLee.

[daysies]

I agree with this, getting actual links to the items is not that immensly hard to do.

However, I have a question, for example when uploading a Sim, the makeup, eyes, skin which normally are packed with the sim, can they remain as they are or strip the sim entirely down to maxis content and post a link for eyeshadow, eyeliner etc...? I am all for giving credit where it's due and naming the creator plus a link to their site is very understandable, but are those still allowed to be packed with the file now?...unless there's a strict prohibition like on Arthemista's site for example.
You're taking a chance with packaging items that are questionable. Just to be safe, it's best to take pics of the completed Sim but package it with Maxis-defaults. That way you don't have to bother with linking to anything unless you want to share where to get the items to complete the Sim.

Like Lyric stated, this thread is mainly to inform you about items blatantly stolen and reposted here from other sites. It doesn't matter if you say it's not yours, but sharing it without explicit permission from the creator is wrong.

[Waiwai]

All started cause of the ''Rain Maker'' incident...?

[mgmc0905]

thanx for addressing this too many people out there dont give credit to original creators ..

[Lovers&Friends]

Waiwai it started way before that...

[Drakron]

And its not going to stop.

About a year ago I made some Morrowind mods, then I drop out of the Morrowind community but one mod was popular enough it seens that people were asking about it and some people decided to host then.

I am fully aware of that, I decided to end the issue by making a statement about it.

But that does not change the fact for months the issue was in limbo, I could not be reached and made no statement ... fact is people can simply drop out.

Now why is that a issue with The Sims?

Because that happened, people already come and gone ... and you cannot reach then.

Now add the fact its hard to discover who made a certain thing you are using when you have no name to go, something like "blush 101" says nothing were it comes from.

The problem with giving credit is sometimes we have no idea to who to give credit ... I dont intend to write a list tracking the location of every single downloaded item on my game.

[dewshine]

Then don't use that stuff.. simple as that.

[Harry Potter's Bride]

The problem is I forget where I downloaded things. I will pull them if I can't ask the creator for permission. For example, there is this site that makes Power ranger skins. I wanted to recolor them and post them on here for fellow PR fans who wanted them in the game. So I e-mailed the author of the skins and he told me yes, as long as I give him credit where it is due.

So those who repost work that is not your own...ask the author. They will more than likely say yes as long as you give them credit. But those who say no are not being selfish, they're just being cautious about thieves.

[tiggerypum]

The point is if you plan on sharing things, you unfortunately need to keep track of where you got things from and then check for their policies. If you cannot figure out where you got something from you shouldn't use it - go look for something similar on a share-friendly site. Or indeed, take a photo of your sim/house cool items in use and then remove them before packaging, giving links when you can.

You also truly MUST check things carefully when recoloring. Some sites simply say no, you may not distribute recolors of their meshes, others are generous. Many do not want you to use their art in the recolor - they might have spent hours perfecting shoes or eyes or lip gloss... and doing a recolor using their artwork and moving the color slide button is not okay! This is the case for hair, also - some people create hair textures from scratch and they do not necessary want you to just use their graphic, you must check first. You can use textures from Maxis outfits and items all you wish, but not from other creators.

At the same time, some artists are very generous with their work, so do check :)

[~kathy~]

And its not going to stop.

About a year ago I made some Morrowind mods, then I drop out of the Morrowind community but one mod was popular enough it seens that people were asking about it and some people decided to host then.

I am fully aware of that, I decided to end the issue by making a statement about it.

But that does not change the fact for months the issue was in limbo, I could not be reached and made no statement ... fact is people can simply drop out.

Now why is that a issue with The Sims?

Because that happened, people already come and gone ... and you cannot reach then.

Now add the fact its hard to discover who made a certain thing you are using when you have no name to go, something like "blush 101" says nothing were it comes from.

The problem with giving credit is sometimes we have no idea to who to give credit ... I dont intend to write a list tracking the location of every single downloaded item on my game.

That may be understandable however it must be said when someone rips something wholesale...whether it be a skin, an object or a mod and then repost it as their own something needs to be done. Going on a site and saying oh I like that I'm going to share it with everyone else regardless what the original author said is sickening.

[Harry Potter's Bride]

The point is if you plan on sharing things, you unfortunately need to keep track of where you got things from and then check for their policies. If you cannot figure out where you got something from you shouldn't use it - go look for something similar on a share-friendly site. Or indeed, take a photo of your sim/house cool items in use and then remove them before packaging, giving links when you can.

You also truly MUST check things carefully when recoloring. Some sites simply say no, you may not distribute recolors of their meshes, others are generous. Many do not want you to use their art in the recolor - they might have spent hours perfecting shoes or eyes or lip gloss... and doing a recolor using their artwork and moving the color slide button is not okay! This is the case for hair, also - some people create hair textures from scratch and they do not necessary want you to just use their graphic, you must check first. You can use textures from Maxis outfits and items all you wish, but not from other creators.

At the same time, some artists are very generous with their work, so do check :)

I was trying to make a point :) That was what the example was about. Fortunately I do save the links onto my favorites....it's just a matter of looking at them and saving the link onto Word, lol. That way I won't forget who gave me permission and who didn't...I also tend to save the emails as proof.

The Author didn't have an FAQ so I emailed him to check.

[Drakron]

That may be understandable however it must be said when someone rips something wholesale...whether it be a skin, an object or a mod and then repost it as their own something needs to be done. Going on a site and saying oh I like that I'm going to share it with everyone else regardless what the original author said is sickening.

Funny thing is someone did used that Morrowind plugin that I made for their own plugin and even made recolors using my textures as a base.

As for credit ... nope, I did not get my name on the credits but it did stated that it was using that plugin.

Notice I could made a fuss over it, I knew exactly were the plugin was being hosted and even was registered on that site forum but ultimate why sould I?

I made that plugin as a joke, I even shown its progress on TES forums and read feedback that was later used as I progressed on the textures and I had left the Morrowind community ... there was no reason why would do any issue about it.

As a futher example I picked up a elven chainmail incomplete project, tried to completed it as much as I could as a favor for the people that were requesting it and then I had the mesh creator asking for the links to it to be deleted (note that was in TES forum, he could very well PM me about it instead of posting on the tread) and they were.

Funny thing is that last time I check (months ago but still months after I released the plugin) that mesh was still incomplete and my butter yellow texture was being used for recoloring (I admit the yellow was horrible but I made a neat chain texture) of that exact same incomplete mesh on other people plugins.

So why do I wonder the reason someone decided to make a fuss over a project they did not intended to complete anyway ...

One of my issues is about when people make it hard to track down the origin of their work and about things that come from sites that are down and from people that left the community.

[9b8ll]

I want to get this clear too as long as I get permission first from the creator and the link then it's okay to disrubute the flies here Then right? Because I don't want no trouble by any means nessicary?

[daysies]

I want to get this clear too as long as I get permission first from the creator and the link then it's okay to disrubute the flies here Then right? Because I don't want no trouble by any means nessicary?
If the distribution policy is not clear, it's always best to ask just to make sure. Then you won't have to second guess yourself. Use your best judgement.

[Warlokk]

I'll never understand how people can make mods for a game, usually based on work created (in some way or another) by the original developers, and then claim it is exclusively theirs and nobody else can modify or do anything creative with it whatsoever, much less try to charge anyone money for it.

That said, however, it is important that people respect those wishes, even if we don't understand them. Most content authors will give permission though, as long as you take the trouble to ask and give them credit (unless they're trying to make $ from it). The credit, I think, is the most important thing, passing something you didn't create off as your own is just lame.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents... I want people to make stuff out of my creations, it's just more cool stuff for everyone. Just give folks credit where it's due, and if you don't know where you got it, don't use it... a default texture can always be replaced by the end user anyway, you can do anything you want if it's for your own use. :)

[ONEBLONDMOMMA]

Thank you so much for addressing this issue! There are SO MANY talented creators out there and their hard work deserves much do credit! I have no idea how to create or recolor anything, but I know just making my sims faces is alot of work and time,so I can imagine what it takes to create!

[floramy]

this community sometimes makes me sick....
I don't mind sharing.. I mean, I would never take something from someone and claim I made it, but sharing is ok.. and I don't understand why some sites are so against it (not paysites, mind you) when it helps them to save their bandwidth :skull: :sadpanda:

and something else that pisses me off is how some creators are screaming copyright all over and they are making items from copyrighted stuff (designer clothes, logos etc.), usually without permission :naughty:

[jaxad0127]

Also, if you do link to custom content, link to the download thread or page, not to the download itself. That is tantamount to theft.

Just wanted to make it clear.

[Xunixeon]

Yeah...It's way more sinful to steal stuff that people had created on their own instead of downloading them from those same creators. I understood that you don't steal custom downloads in the first place, especially when making different clothes for other sims that require the mesh for the separate sex.

Maybe, they don't understand that when it comes to saying, "NO", they have to obey it unless it seriously harms them but for a reason. This is the life that we're talking about....Karma even knows that if you steal stuff by redistributing crap on there, that action itself is punishable either by 3 times more powerful consequence or just you get what you deserved but not neccessarily the same.

So don't steal content without the owner's permission...Period. Especially if it was not to be redistributed here.

[Jonesi]

I had never even thought about this prior till now. I build alot of houses and like to share my lots for everyone to enjoy. Had never even read a disclaimer before, lol.
Custom Content I include in my lots are mainly build objects that are imperative to the design of the house, and on occasions, I cannot build in the style I do unless I use custom content.

After reading this thread I went and checked the main sites I download build objects from and read their disclaimers..

It's unfortunate that people are not willing to share their work, even with a link and credit...but I shall respect their wishes. I feel it will hamper my designs but so be it.

What I thought was unfair is something I saw today on another site. They have a "no redistribution" policy in effect for their own objects but where using someone elses objects in on of their lot downloads....the objects they where using for the lot where from another site with "no redistribution policies"...seems a bit hypocritical.. :mod:

[Cee]

LyricLee, I posted meshes from two sites who in their readmes allowed this but I was unaware of the fact that you would rather us just link to those meshes. My apologies and I will do it that way from now on.

[IgnorantBliss]

I think this is more to do with outright theft. Do not repost anything here and say you made it yoruself. DO not package sims or houses or anything with meshes from other sites. If the site allows recoloring then post your recolor with a link for people to download the mesh from the original site.

There are maybe one or two sites who freely say please share our meshes- we know which sites they are and we do allow that. But thats two out of hundreds and hundreds. We prefer you dont share meshes at all. Its a lighter server load here and the link to the original site increases traffic to those creators so generously making items for the community.



The texture is usually a bigger part of the file than the mesh, so adding a mesh to the download shouldn't make it considerably bigger.

When I allowed sharing of my meshes, I specifically did that to do people a favor by making downloading easier for them, not having to hunt down meshes from many sites. Especially when it comes to downloading lots, where it makes sense to have all the files included. And the window meshes (which are what people mostly share out of my meshes) are only a tiny part of the whole size of the lot download. I personally would prefer that to having to download the window separately.

[RealHogsFan]

This is exactly why I personally don't post anything unless I created it, since I'm not a creator, I don't have this problem. I find it extremely rude and stupid to take someone elses work and either change the name of it and call it yours or just outright say it's off a pay site and this person figures it's ok to share it with everyone else. It's nice that they want to share and all, but if the creator of the object wants it to only be obtained from their site, it's their decision and they made that decision for their own good reasons.

P.S. one other very annoying thing is when a creator will recolor a custom mesh and not post anything in reguards to this custom mesh, ie how to obtain this mesh. Please please don't assume that everyone that is into the sims has every custom mess that you have. This doesn't happen a whole bunch, but then again, i haven't even begin make a dent in number of posts that i'm behind on looking at. hehe, sorry rambling again, shutting up now.

[HCAC]

While we are on this topic (it's similar) what about using images from the web? Is this okay? Photos from Tshirt sites, things of that nature. Sorry if this has been addressed already. I know people have questions about 'copyrights."

[ParsimoniousKate]

This isn't about copyright in the sense of obeying the law just to stay out of trouble, its about respect.

I personally find it a bit annoying to read comments by the occasional house-builder who defends the inclusion of non-distributable items in their houses by saying that they can't be expected to pay attention to where all their downloads come from.
Its really simple, find out what a site's policies are *before* you download. If its not in your game then you can't mistakenly upload it somewhere.

Its not pleasant when other people distribute your items and take credit for the work - thats happened to me a lot these past few years, its an inevitable part of being a creator in any community I suspect, but that doesn't mean we have to sit there and take it!

It boils down to

a) If in doubt, ask

or

b) If in doubt, don't

[Squeaker]

Many of this has happened, like stealing mod's and hacks. Like the ghost hack from InSIMenator. Many people will be honest where they got their content from on a sim, plenty may not, but this warning may persuade people to do so. It's alright if you put content on a sim a site allows to redistirbite their content but others don't allow you to do it.

[HCAC]

Pistachio,
I love your site and I totally respect what you are saying. I do a little recoloring and have even had things I did (meshes I altered) 'taken' and used as someone else's. Go figure, it's the risk we take (no matter how 'wrong') when we share our work.

I still would like my question answered, if possible, by a mod. What is the site's stance on using photos, sayings, and other items from other (non sims) sites.

[kev790]

I really find this posting amusing, here we have a bunch of people who use tons of original remake stuff from the sims talking bout trying to make sure not to infringe on any creators rights, completly ironic i think. I do however agree with the whole if you work on it no one else should claim it but this whole topic just sounds overly ironic where we have this company that spent thousands creating this game and gives the open ability to all its users to freely create anything they would like to and then we have these creators wanting to close this open ended ability. I like the way some creators have you can share what you like but be respectful and give credit where it is obviuosly due, but some go the extra mile saying hey i created this from something that someone else created (Maxis) and i dont want you sharing it at all. honestly if you dont want it shared at all then dont put it online. now when dealing with the creators that actually charge for their stuff I can see their prob if their stuff is shared even with link cause why would anyone pay them if they can download it for free. But the one main thing i want from any pay site is superb quality if I'm going to have to pay for content i want it to be top notch. just my 2 cents i agree with not posting others stuff but in todays world that is something that has to be strictly moderated as nothing is safe in the digital world.

[MTS2Staff]

Hot- If the site is ok with it so are we- we will always however remove any content if the AUTHOR of that content comes to us and asks us for it to be removed- so its best to make sure you have permission first or it can be taken down.

[HCAC]

T/you very much. :)

[ParsimoniousKate]

I really find this posting amusing, here we have a bunch of people who use tons of original remake stuff from the sims talking bout trying to make sure not to infringe on any creators rights, completly ironic i think. I like the way some creators have you can share what you like but be respectful and give credit where it is obviuosly due, but some go the extra mile saying hey i created this from something that someone else created (Maxis) and i dont want you sharing it at all. honestly if you dont want it shared at all then dont put it online.

Of course EA will always retain the copyright to its tools and materials (as I'm sure you'll know having read the EULA when you installed the game..), no one is disputing that, but they don't automatically gain ownership of any textures, images and 3D models which are used to make Sims items by creators, like myself, who make those parts from scratch and have the very real, legal, right, to claim those parts as our own. I don't have my rights of ownership to those the textures or the model thrown out of the window by some impatient kid who wants to use something in a house he's publishing without asking my permission first. Neither am I legally required to put up with someone re-using my textures without crediting me for the original design *not* because I'm a pissy cow who's trying to be ironic for your amusement, or because I'm dismissing Maxis' input or EA's legal rights over their file-format but because I wish to protect MY legal rights over MY artwork - something I am fully entitled to do.

[Drakron]

A lot of sites uses photos in the textures, you know that just because you google it does not make it public domain.

The question of "how can someone claim ownership to something that it uses someone else work" is a good one, its not one that can be asked to you since you made textures from scratch but not everyone does.

Of course that is a entire diferent argument, my main issue ends up being about abandoned sites and near impossible to track custom content and that was anwered to some degree.

[Loverat]

I am glad this subject is being discussed again/still/as it should be. I am none to modest to tell you I was the first person to upload fully furnished lots that were accompanied by extensive readme/credit lists on this site. I write down every item as I use it in a lot and basically know off the top of my head the policies of most creators but sometimes they DO slip by. It takes me more time to document, package, photograph and upload a lot than it takes me to build it - but without those objects and recolours I couldn't have done it.

Some creators even let you distribute meshes as long as its FREE. I have recently been sent an email about a site that offers furnished/landscaped lot files for download for free, or donation OR even better via a cd sent to you. While this is fantastic for the site owner who spews forth the ever present *bandwidth* excuse, its not fair to the people who created objects that are INCLUDED in the lots. Donation is still PAY, buying a CD full of houses is still PAY - why should they get money when the objects were FREE in the first place?

I have so far downloaded about 5 of these lots and found objects from around 7 creators who state: DO NOT REDISTRIBUTE MY MESH or DO NOT INCLUDE FOR PAID DOWNLOADS. A few of the objects may even be part of donation sets from the object creators (as I don't have them - and if I don't have them they must be pay!)

By the way at the bottom of that page about donations on the site is a *Do not use my houses here and there or upload* etc. Hypocrisy.

[RealHogsFan]

But the one main thing i want from any pay site is superb quality if I'm going to have to pay for content i want it to be top notch.

I agree with you totally here and let me tell you that a few of the sites that i have been too that want you to pay do not have anything close to top notch. On one very well know pay site only about 25% of the things are their site could be considered top notch, the other 75% of the stuff isn't even worthy enough to go into the slums of my sims neighborhood.

P.S. the freeness of this site is what I love the most about this site. Plus all of the wonderful people here.

[kellyw54]

I do have to agree with Drakon on the point of if the creators, really are worried about their stuff getting posted they need to make sure we know where this stuff came from, I mean just putting some doll for the icon, and then nothing else makes it very difficult to track where it came from. And anyone who said, just don't use it is right too, but I think the creators themselves have a responsbility for us to be able to determine whether or not they made something. But I do agree blantly stealing other people's work, by saying you made it, is a definant no no. It's just to bad there aren't more ways to guard against stuff like this happening.

In the end though I think it would be alot easier, for someone to just go ask a lawyer what creators "legal rights" are and aren't. Or even get a book on copyright laws so everyone knows where they stand and this agrument can be done and overwith. That way we can all go back to happily making sims content :)

[RealHogsFan]

In the end though I think it would be alot easier, for someone to just go ask a lawyer what creators "legal rights" are and aren't. Or even get a book on copyright laws so everyone knows where they stand and this agrument can be done and overwith. That way we can all go back to happily making sims content :)

You really, really do not want to get all into the copyright laws, because I can tell you from experience, several of the graphics used on the site for Sims2 custom content is very much protected by copyright laws, all disney, warner brothers, etc, most of the cartoons used on the site are against copyright laws and Disney, specifically, will spend all of the money it takes to hire a team of people to track down those that used the images that are copyrighted, so you don't want to have this site start strictly following the copyright laws. there is a site that is dedicated to all the content on the interent that is protected and what not. Before I found the sims and when I was really into things related to PSP & PS, I used to frequent a site that provided graphics and what not for the personal use of those in the PSP/PS community and because they had one disney graphic on their site, Disney had the site shut down and the owner of the site was charged with copyright infringement.

:2cents: This is just my two cents on then suggestion of posting the copyright rights of a creator, cause most likely, that creator is breaking a copyright law or two to begin with...

p.s. the united states does honor all copyright laws from other countries, ex: canada, korea, china, & japan laws i know for a fact we (us) honor.

My personal opinion on all of this...i think it's all a bunch of fooey and well...

Nowadays, an original idea is fairly rare. Just about everyone is inspired by something else for their creation of whatever it is.

[megsimple]

The problem is far too great. I am a download Junkie . Not all items I have downloaded come with an id of whom made it. I have not uploaded any of my latest creations because of this and to make sure I do not offend anyone.

But I have been working on an entire nieghborhood that has a complete layout of the home. You get the lot and layout by me only.
I will also show pics of how it can be decorated using items from around the web including my favorite site. (THIS ONE) You do the landscaping , painting,etc. Hopefully this will help with respecting other peoples work.

I like the fact that this site actually cares about its creaters.

[AngelFrouk]

Megsimple, this sounds like a great idea to me. I usually don't download lots with custom content because i don't want to clutter up my downloads folder. This way we all know where we can get the stuff you used and we can decide if it's what we want.

[daysies]

The problem is far too great. I am a download Junkie . Not all items I have downloaded come with an id of whom made it. I have not uploaded any of my latest creations because of this and to make sure I do not offend anyone.
Identifying your own creations is only as good as the creator makes it. If you put your site name in the name of the .package file, life would be so much easier, I think. But everyone doesn't work that way. So it takes a bit of an effort to organize the stuff you've downloaded, if you're a downloadaholic, like myself. At least I keep everything in their own folder before I dump them in the Downloads folder. So basically, everything is duplicated. (Just my own strange way of organizing things.)

[jaxad0127]

At least I keep everything in their own folder before I dump them in the Downloads folder. So basically, everything is duplicated. (Just my own strange way of organizing things.)I do basically the same thing. I keep a copy of the zip/rar/whatever in another location incase something happens to my downloads folder or I have any questions about where I got it from because many sites add their site name (and username for some) to the archive.

[RealHogsFan]

So it takes a bit of an effort to organize the stuff you've downloaded, if you're a downloadaholic, like myself. At least I keep everything in their own folder before I dump them in the Downloads folder. So basically, everything is duplicated. (Just my own strange way of organizing things.)

I do basically the same thing. I keep a copy of the zip/rar/whatever in another location incase something happens to my downloads folder or I have any questions about where I got it from because many sites add their site name (and username for some) to the archive.

Yay, I'm not alone in this world with the keeping the original archive files. I have all of my stuff organzied (probably over-organized) too!!!

[winterrose025]

what if you made it with a sim? If you give where you got it from is it ok or do we have to slap a line of links to the 50 places we got the stuff from? I understand people don't want there things being stolen but if you give credit, post the site or post where you got it and don't claim it as your own, that should be ok.

Not meaning you or anything but this is a general post to this question. :nod:

Not everyone who creates Sims stuff is ok with this at all. Giving Credit sometimes is not enough. Why don't you just not include the sim. Don't include the stuff that is not allowed. I've noticed a great deal of that around here and it's a good thing. Don't include it but say where to get it from.

Some of these people break their rear end off doing nice stuff. They clearly have it on their web sites what is and what is not allowed. If you download it and use it in the game I think that is as far as it should go. We have no right to just tweak a mesh and call it our own. We have no right to recolor it and call it our own. Either have permission or just don't do it at all. I know of a hard working sim clothing maker. Someone tweaked her work and claims it as their own because they made a few changes. She has it clearly marked not to do anything to her skins but only to use them in the game. Either listen to peoples rules or those people will go away. It's called Respect. Which in the sim community there seems to be a great deal of lack of respect. I'd hate to see the good people who make wonderful things go away because of the idiots that steal. Let's follow the rules and do the right thing.

I also think the people here at modthesims have taken proper action. They can't watch it all but let's tell them when something is up. Let's be the ones to help out around here. Don't be afraid to report something fishy. I for one will be on the look out.

Thank you to all those people who go out of their way to create new items for us Simmers. I know it takes a great deal of time and to give them away for free use in a game is just totally amazing. I greatly appreciate it and again thank you for your generousity.

[MTS2Staff]

Its not our job to police uploads to that extent- we do make sure proper credit is given for all content on our uploads- we remove ANYTHING that a creator comes to us and asks to have removed- but the uplaods her belong to the uploader. If someone wishes to uplaod here its THEIR responsibility. We never take owndership of the items like other sites do. This is basically a storage site and shocase for creators to show off the items they make.
Those who create have to have some responsibility themselves. We have always respected the wishes of those site owners who come to us and ask their content not to be shared here.
If any OWNER has a problem with content they know they can PM one of the staff and have it removed but only the owner as they have say over whathappens with their content.

[Megasuss]

I'm new to this whole forum thing, but this seems the most apropriate place to address this. I know of a 'creator' here on MTS2 who also has their own site. On that site they created an outfit (I believe the MESH is theirs) using a handpainted texture from yet another site that is quite obvious and explicit about their no sharing policy. So, I am unsure about this person's content on this site as well. Obviously, using the bad post button is unappropriate in this situation as I am not sure that anything here by them falls under the criteria, but my experience has been that this kind of situation is rarely a one-time thing. So how does one go about calling attention to a POTENTIALLY(though not definate) suspect situation?

[MTS2Staff]

if it isnt an item on this site thats stolen we can do nothing about it. If you know the original creator of an item and see their item on another site thats been stolen from here- you can PM the creator to let them know.

[Angelgoddess79]

I'm glad that you had address that!!! :beer: :baloons: I just know how awful that is. :naughty:

[Peachybitz1]

So..the only way to solve this problem is... for everyone who is a creator to make free stuff, and not be too bothered about someone using their design....for everyone else to learn how to use programs to make their own stuff and become creators....
or maybe thats oversimplifying things...!!

[ShortyBoo]

Thank you for finally addressing this! I've seen my content posted here multiple times without my permission, in one case, multiple times by the same person, even though I clearly state that my stuff is not to be uploaded anywhere without my permission. I was so tired of this happening, and I'm glad you're finally saying something about it. All my content has my name in the tooltip, so it's not hard to find. I just wish more people would respect the creators' policies.

[alexandrazenas]

Okay, sorry to be a bother, but I do have a somewhat related question. I have seen many wallpapers and floors out there made with graphics from actual wallpaper/flooring stores (that have nothing to do with the sims, e.g. www.wallpaperbordersrus.com) and as of yet, I have not seen anything giving credit for the graphics. Do these individuals have explicit consent from these companies or is this not necessary? I'm asking because I have several items of my own I've made using graphics of this sort, and I was never sure whether I would be allowed to upload them or not.

Thanks!

[jaxad0127]

The site you gave appears to be retail/wholesale, so you'd need to contact the manufacturer(s) about their policy.

[IgnorantBliss]

Personally, to avoid any kind of copyright problems (and also because I want my items to be original) I usually make my own textures from scratch. Sometimes I use modified Maxis textures, too. The same thing with meshes.

[ParsimoniousKate]

Okay, sorry to be a bother, but I do have a somewhat related question. I have seen many wallpapers and floors out there made with graphics from actual wallpaper/flooring stores (that have nothing to do with the sims, e.g. www.wallpaperbordersrus.com) and as of yet, I have not seen anything giving credit for the graphics. Do these individuals have explicit consent from these companies or is this not necessary? I'm asking because I have several items of my own I've made using graphics of this sort, and I was never sure whether I would be allowed to upload them or not.

Thanks!

Often fabric and wallpaper companies will stock brands which are available elsewhere, meaning the pattern or design isn't their copyright and therefore the content of the image doesn't belong specifically to them. That doesn't change the fact the reproduction they have on their website does belong to them and therefore its governed by whatever legal notices they've posted on their site. If they've not posted legal notices then it can be generally assumed that images may be re-used under 'Fair-use' - the details are rather loathesome but the short of it is that as long as you significantly alter the image and don't profit from it then you're reasonably safe from prosecution.

That said I've found that its generally best to simply contact the owner of the image and ask them nicely if they mind it being used, quite often they'll agree provided its free and the purpose doesn't conflict with whatever their interests happen to be.

[Mystikan]

As a content creator for a number of games (my first custom content was a set of levels for the original Doom which I released back in 1998) I'm really pleased to find a site that's concerned enough about this to actively protect our interests. I've only just started playing the Sims 2 in the past month or so and I've already uploaded some wall textures here for people to use, and I'll be creating more content for you all soon.

Now, I don't mind people redistributing my work, as long as they credit me and, if they have a website, to put a little link back to my site to help me with traffic. The reason I want credit is because it publicises my skills and increases my chances of finding work. When I get work, I don't have to worry about surviving and can spend more time creating content, so the benefit flows back to the community in the end.

What I DO object to is people using my work commercially. I don't make any money off my content, so why should anyone else? So I always include these main points in my distribution terms:

a) You do not require any payment, donation or other consideration for people to access the work;
b) You do not require that people provide personal information or contact details to access the work;
c) You do not require that people install additional software or files on their computer to access the work;
d) You do not restrict other people from redistributing the work under this license;
e) You do not use the work in any commercial advertising or promotional material;


Why all this? a) stops people from selling my work for the reason I mentioned above. b) stops people collecting emails etc to sell to marketers, which is the same thing. c) helps stop the spread of spyware and adware, which I HATE. d) protects the right I give you to use my content in your own free work; and e) stops people from using my work in ads, so when someone new sees my work they don't say something like "Oh, that's from the such-and-such ad", which infuriates me no end!

Sorry for the long post, but having read this thread I wanted to clarify a few things for the downloaders from a creator's point of view. Different creators do things differently, of course, but hopefully this will help people understand why we do put some restrictions on how our work is used and why it is important to respect the creators wishes when redistributing content.

[kev790]

Of course EA will always retain the copyright to its tools and materials (as I'm sure you'll know having read the EULA when you installed the game..), no one is disputing that, but they don't automatically gain ownership of any textures, images and 3D models which are used to make Sims items by creators, like myself, who make those parts from scratch and have the very real, legal, right, to claim those parts as our own. I don't have my rights of ownership to those the textures or the model thrown out of the window by some impatient kid who wants to use something in a house he's publishing without asking my permission first. Neither am I legally required to put up with someone re-using my textures without crediting me for the original design *not* because I'm a pissy cow who's trying to be ironic for your amusement, or because I'm dismissing Maxis' input or EA's legal rights over their file-format but because I wish to protect MY legal rights over MY artwork - something I am fully entitled to do.

Thats what i said if maxis was to be more strict they could prevent users like you to share any custom content that was made, they could not stop you from creating it but they could easily put in their eula that it is forbidden to create custom content for use in their game. so you could create anything you wanted but once you shared it on the WWW you could get in trouble for it. Thats what i was saying is that this company was nice enough to allow the general public to create content and share it in a vast community of players. otherwise you would have to go make your own game and create content for that one instead ( which with some of the talents I have seen may actually be possible) I'm on the side that you creators work hard to create these and should be properly respected and thanked for the work i was just stating it was very funny that maxis could give a %$$% that you use their material to make items but some creators are the oppisite they want to keep the rights tied to their rib cage. I give credit where its due no problems there just we have this whole 3 page thread on a topic that the company this topic even exsist because of is so open to allow these creations.

[niol]

The game company is likely to want certain types of custom contents being made...and that's how they get players more involved into the game, so there'll be a stronger appeal to get them to buy some EPs in the future. And when some beautifully made contents come out may attract more people to join in.
This strategy has been one of the essential reasons why TS1 and TS2 are so successful.

Reading Mystikan's policy, I feel like to add more to mine.

Yet, I'unsure if someone has pointed out these 2 possibilities...
1. some co-incidential similar or even identical creations.
2. fraud claims on the originality against the real originalists.

[ParsimoniousKate]

What I DO object to is people using my work commercially. I don't make any money off my content, so why should anyone else?

Omg, yes I've seen people charging money for my work in the past :mad: Its kinda the ultimate insult when you give away stuff for free.

[hallokatzchen]

What about content from sites that are closed?
Would uploading a sim that used makeup (or anything) from a closed site be OK since you can't post a link?

[IgnorantBliss]

What about content from sites that are closed?
Would uploading a sim that used makeup (or anything) from a closed site be OK since you can't post a link?

I think it still depends on what is/was the redistribution policy of the closed site. You should contact the creator/former site owner and try to find out. If you can't get a permission, then I'd say you can't share those files.

[MTS2Staff]

If the site is closed- And there is absolutely no where else to contact the creator Please PM me first- Some creators move to other sites and there may be other locations for that content- some items have been removed but still float out there- Its really something I need to be aware of before you upload.

[generalzoi]

I've been looking through the site rules and everything, and this seem like the best place to post this.

Do mesh creators have the right to allow/disallow recolors of their meshes to be shared online? Is the original texture considered the property of the original creator, or can the argument be made that the recolor doesn't really contain anything by the mesher, so there's no way he/she can say it can't be shared? I assumed that mesh creaters reserved that right, but recently I've begun to wonder if I'm wrong.

[ParsimoniousKate]

I've been looking through the site rules and everything, and this seem like the best place to post this.

Do mesh creators have the right to allow/disallow recolors of their meshes to be shared online? Is the original texture considered the property of the original creator, or can the argument be made that the recolor doesn't really contain anything by the mesher, so there's no way he/she can say it can't be shared? I assumed that mesh creaters reserved that right, but recently I've begun to wonder if I'm wrong.

If its a literal colour change of their graphic then that is not covered by fair usage and they do have the right to say no because it bears a very strong resemblance to the original image and in fact the reverse colour change can be done to the recolour to restore it to its original state. If the texture is wildly different can obviously doesn't use the original as a base then I guess the situation is more murky, legally I think no, provided the mesh isn't being distributed by the recolourist, I think the mesh creator would have a hard time stopping it.

[nancyw41]

What about content here on MTS2? I have just started building houses and would like to use some stuff from here, giving proper credit, of course. If a mesh and/or recolor is already available here, would it be permissable to use it in a lot?

[MTS2Staff]

As this site is basically storage for hundreds of thousands of creators- and we do not specifically own any upload, You have to ask permission from the original creator of the content personally. Most people post their wishes on their upload page- if they dont you can utilize the PM system from their profile to ask them their wishes for their content.

[rhondalatte]

As this site is basically storage for hundreds of thousands of creators- and we do not specifically own any upload, You have to ask permission from the original creator of the content personally. Most people post their wishes on their upload page- if they dont you can utilize the PM system from their profile to ask them their wishes for their content.

this is what you told me:

You still can not waste server space and package the meshes with the cas- only your cas needs to be in that post. Everyone else links to the meshes- and people get them for themselves- its a waste of space to repost meshes in your thread


or does that only apply to CAS?

[MTS2Staff]

CAS screens are slightly different-
I took her question as to mean general redistribution of mts2 creators content.
You must ALWAYS have a creators permission to use their content first of all. its common courtesy. Secondly, some lots that people build require certain windows, or walls or items to be packaged with them or the lot doesnt turn out right.

A CAS screen only needs the mesh to be in the game somewhere and the CAS screen will function properly- No one has to edit and place items for those so yes we only allow links on CAS screens.
Houses would sometimes have to be rebuilt which defeats the purpose of uploading a house.

Just be sure all creators are ok with using their content.

[rhondalatte]

Unless the few items that I use to make it are included, the CAS will not appear as it was designed. I have written permissions from other creators for use of their meshes.
When a CAS file is placed in the download file and then removed, the meshes included in it then will not be in the game, like a rug mesh or a particular window
etc. Some downloaders want to change CAS screens and that leads to alot of juggling of files. It's just easier to have the meshes in the CAS file.

[nancyw41]

Thanks for replying. I was just curious about it.