Graphic Submission Guidelines.

[Shelley_c]

Because of the newly added graphic request area and the new location, maybe it would be a good idea to revise the Graphic Submission guidelines in the image database by correcting the graphic request link and directing it to the graphic requests area rather than graphic discussions. A suggestion, adding in a line in the graphic submission guidelines that anyone posting copyrighted material or another persons work will be subjected to having their release removed.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Updated.

Also added a line about posting material created by others, even though this is already covered in our general rules and posting copyrighted material created by others is not allowed anywhere on vB.org.

[Dean C]

I would suggest that simply removing it will not suffice for repeat-offenders. Perhaps a 2-strike policy should be put in place. Do it once, you get a warning and have it removed, do it twice and you're account is banned?

I think copyright infringements should be taken very seriously, even if it's using an icon from someone elses style on your site (without permission).

Also I think it's important for users to clarify *if* they have been granted permission to use someone else's work on whatever graphic they have posted, to prevent confusion

[Shelley_c]

A very nice suggestion Dean_C. Maybe a member can be excused once as material (whether it's images and /or code) get's passed around from site to site, reposted so many times that when the offender posts, they most probably have no idea where that code/image originated from. Repeating such an offense should definitely lead to a suspension at the very least.

I still believe that (in a graphic sense) that "if you didn't design that image set/icon or otherwise, you shouldn't post it".

I'll give a certain staff member credit for dealing with copyright infringement seriously.

[Dean C]

I don't care, you don't use someone elses work unless it's yours. Copyright law is pretty simple lol

[Shelley_c]

Originally Posted by Dean C

I don't care, you don't use someone elses work unless it's yours. Copyright law is pretty simple lol

I'm becoming soft, but you are correct. Personally, I would love to see the offenders hands chopped off but that won't happen (and I'm sure that won't be printed into jelsofts policy) and suspension looks like the action more likely to be taken.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

We already take strong actions against (repeated) offenders of copyrights. As Shelley already noticed one of the designers here is currently facing a 2 week suspension.

First offence is a warning, after that we start giving out infractions, and 2 copyright infractions is enough for a suspension.

[Dean C]

Originally Posted by Shelley_c

I'm becoming soft, but you are correct. Personally, I would love to see the offenders hands chopped off but that won't happen (and I'm sure that won't be printed into jelsofts policy) and suspension looks like the action more likely to be taken.

lol! :up:

[Michael Biddle]

can we guess who it is Marco?

And I am down for chopping hands off.

[Freesteyelz]

Originally Posted by Dean C

Copyright law is pretty simple lol

You'd think, right? On the surface the concept seems simple until you start to argue specifics (such as the application of use). Just in the past few days there were several posts in which people were stating Fair Use erroneously. On another thread someone posted a picture as we generally do with the [img] tag then asked the question whether or not he was in violation of copyright infringement. My answer to the question may surprise you. There were questions regarding embedding videos. Also, questions of the if, when and how it can be enforced questions come up all the time.

Anyway, I agree that if someone is going to post work of another person he/she must obtain formal permission from its author or be certain that the work is public domain and make note of it on the release.