Abuse of power, can it really be stopped?

from WinCustomize Forums
Abuse of power, can it really be stopped?

A screenshot is a screenshot. Nothing is more innocent than that. I have made a windowblinds skin based on Nvidia Reactor Windows Media Player by TSF. The skin turned out as if the great Pixtudio group made it. People loved the screenshot and have shown love toward it. I have updated many skins that are available to the publics, yet I never shared them because I know the authors still have full right over them. I'm good at respecting people's work. The Skins Factory hated the fact that the skin has a premium feels and started to threat me. Now the screenshot is disappeared. What TSF wants, TSF gets. How can a screenshot become so controversial?

Mike Bryant was one of the main reasons I have subscribed to WC ‘cause I’ve learn so much through his works, but...
35,878 views 84 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I've been part of the community for many years as Elsius Saint. Am I really needed? What have I done wrong? I don't even upload skins, but only screenshots and spend my time encouraging others for their works positively.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I'm not looking foward to be seen as a skinners. That's why I never upload any skin. I just want to be seen as someone having some fun with skinning. I was so close to adding another 2 years to my WC Subcription to make it 3 years.
Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Shouldn't worry about all of this WC. Think of it like this. I've had a couple conflicting posts... Did it ever earn me anything on here? Nope. Regardless of where you go, just go with the flow. I run a forum on another site besides WinCustomize and my rule reigns there. On TSF their rule reigns there.. Know what I mean? Don't sweat the small stuff! Just move along, like I should have done in the past instead of being controversial. I know you're talking about a screenshot you submitted. But, let it go You'll be happy you did!
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
So let me get this correct.
You made a Windowblind which was based off of TSF's Media Player skin then created a screenshot of it.

1.Did you create all of the graphics from scratch?
2. Did you use any of TSF's graphics?
3. Did you name it anything similar to what TSF did?

Correct answers are 1. YES 2. NO 3. NO
Anything else and TSF would be correct in asking that you remove it.
I would be interested in seeing it...
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I would be interested in seeing it...


Me too...!

-=TYCUS=-
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I dont agree with this. He made a screenshot...of a modified skin. Isn't that what skinning is about...? TSF is just too egotistical to realize this.

Phoon, if I modify CopperDeck2, and then upload a SCREENSHOT of my modifications...you gonna tell me I'm doing something wrong? Come on...
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I think that TSF IS over protective, but what many may not see is that they are constantly in the midst of protecting their client's property. It may come across as negative, but we would be the same if we wore those shoes.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WC Ambassador did nothing more than what is done here: https://www.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SID=1&SkinID=7566&LibID=13

The screenshot should be allowed.
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I did recreate mostly everything from scratch to give it a high resolution (But it's only a screenshot). Even if you make a screenshot using someone's WB skin and a wallpaper. Why would there be any problem with a screenshot. We are not talking about uploading actual skin. A screenshot is only to show off your desktop configuration - teaser. It can never be a big deal. One way or another, I'll still be watching Mike Bryant and others closely.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I believe this one will be next to get deleted


"Link error"

-=TYCUS=-
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WC Ambassador,
You could have nipped this in the bud from the bigginning if you had put in the description. "For personal use only. Please, do not request."
And if someone did leave an email address, just say that you can't send it, because the skin is copyrighted. I feel it would still be up.

But from the start, it "felt" like you were ignoring the copyright issue, by just leaving a "Thanks" comment and not letting them know that you couldn't send it. I believe that is what the skinsfactory felt and I would have felt also.

This is like a dead horse though, the things we do can't be taken back.
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was so close to adding another 2 years to my WC Subcription to make it 3 years.


The only power you have here is in the moments just before you subscribe…….after that……..it’s just TS…..Least that my experience here. Before you subscribe you’re a poetical financer of WC……..after your just a citizen…that says it all.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't know exactly who removed your screenshot, so I can't speak on that. But, I can tell you my opinion of it. It's one thing to simply post a screenshot of something you can't distribute. It's another thing to encourage people to give you their addresses so you can email it to them. At that point, you may as well have uploaded the WB skin to WinCustomize. That is essentially using the site to illegally distribute the skin.

Power has nothing to do with it. WinCustomize protects your copyrights and it protects my copyrights. If my work was being distributed without permission via screenshot comments, I would want to put a stop to it, as would anyone else. This isn't some meaningless formality that you should try to circumvent by posting a screenshot and taking email addresses. Copyrights are serious and important to all of us who have put countless hours of careful thought and labor into creating skins.

I don't mean to take an accusatory tone here. I think it was just a matter of walking a fine line and stepping onto the wrong side. The best thing to do is understand that, let it go (it's only a screenshot afterall), and move on.

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't know why anyone would get their panties in a bunch over a screenshot. First of all...I would think it a compliment to the skinner. Second...its a screenshot...its not like you can apply it to anything...or am I missing something here. This is just plain silly.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No one has ANY right to remove your screenshot.


I support the 1st Amendment completely. Also I believe that a business has the right to set guidelines or limits regarding what is shown on its website. If WC removes something from this site, the company is not infringing on anyone's freedom of expression, but is saying "not on this particular site"-- for whatever reason. It is WC's prerogative to do so. There are countless other outlets for posting anything you want. We post here in accord with the criteria of WC.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
1) TSF only has a Windows Media Player skin call Reactor.

2) I made a Windowblinds based on the Media Player. TSF doesn't have a Windowblind of that kind.

3) I never encouraged people to post their e-mail addresses for sharing, nor will I ever share. They do what they want.

4) I have no history of sharing. People love to hate me.

5) All my screenshots deserves to be instant Daily shot. But they never made it and have poor rating. People rate them poor 'cause I'm not going to share them. They dislike me and take it on my work.
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All my screenshots deserves to be instant Daily shot


...interesting.
Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
5) All my screenshots deserves to be instant Daily shot. But they never made it and have poor rating. People rate them poor 'cause I'm not going to share them. They dislike me and take it on my work.


I still think your screenshot should not have been removed, but you are taking the wrong approach here. You are wrong in your assumptions...and a screenshot of an updated WB skin, doesn't necessarily make a good screenshot. Keep that in mind too...
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I never encouraged people to post their e-mail addresses for sharing, nor will I ever share.


No but you did promise to send it to people that asked for it. Just to be clear. Post #16 is dead on.

TSF did nothing wrong. He was just protecting HIS property and he has the right to do so. Copyright laws state that the work you (WC Ambassador) did is the legal property of TSF. It doesn't matter who made the images. You copied his work and hinted on sending it to people. He can collect damages for each time you send it to someone.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

All my screenshots deserves to be instant Daily shot

Makes me wonder who has the biggest ego...

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Whew..... Wincustomize missed by a lightyear with their Ambassador (self proclaimed of course).
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
All my screenshots deserves to be instant Daily shot



I was just kidding there to make a point. Because all my screeenshots are based on the top skins by the greatest authors. If they all mad, I'll have no more screenshots. It's the skins I use that deserves to be a daily shot to make myself clear. If they are all worried, I'll have nothing.
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I still think your screenshot should not have been removed, but you are taking the wrong approach here. You are wrong in your assumptions...and a screenshot of an updated WB skin, doesn't necessarily make a good screenshot. Keep that in mind too...


I agree, your approach is somewhat aggressive.
All my screenshots deserves to be instant Daily shot.

This comment gives you the air of conceit, and with this kind of comment, you will get more and more negative response.



I support the 1st Amendment completely. Also I believe that a business has the right to set guidelines or limits regarding what is shown on its website. If WC removes something from this site, the company is not infringing on anyone's freedom of expression, but is saying "not on this particular site"-- for whatever reason. It is WC's prerogative to do so. There are countless other outlets for posting anything you want. We post here in accord with the criteria of WC.


Aimzzz is right. WC is protecting itself as a financial entity, if they have recieved notice to remove this screenshot, or feel if they do not that WC might become a target for an infringement case they should remove.

I don't think that it should have been removed, but another point was made above in that if you post a screenshot of a skin that someone else made and you do not state "please, no requests for download", they have the right to request removal.

You do good work. So, I ask: why not create your own skin? "updating" and "porting" others is not the only route to show off your ability.

It's removed, for whatever reason. Bummer. Move on. Try not to give yourself a heart attack from self-infliction of high levels of stress over a non-critical event. No one has died, even then the grieving period shouldn't be too long. There is nothing you can do about it now, except persistantly asking for permission.

If you are as aggressive and seemingly arrogant in your requests to TSF, you might try a different approach.

I am in no way attacking, accusing or berating you. But I am hoping that you gain an understanding of how people here in the forums are percieving you. An argumentative approach will get nothing but argument.

Thanks for reading my 2 cents. And, Please, try and be a happy skinner.