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Abuse of power, can it really be stopped?

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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...
35,879 views 84 replies
Reply #51 from WinCustomize Forums Top
TSF is protecting the rights of their clients. They cannot be aligned with any mishandling of copyrights or intellectual rights.
Reply #52 from WinCustomize Forums Top
since TSF typically uploads their clients skins here with permission, they cant afford to have peeps using WC to distribute unauthorized versions or ports ....if TSF didnt step up and say something then they could be looked at badly by future customers ....
Offworld Trading Company
Reply #53 from WinCustomize Forums Top
We need to keep in mind that commercial authors/artist not only protect the rights of their clients but also the rights to their work.
The fact that a company hires/licenses an author to create a skin doesn’t mean that such author should stand by and witness the illegal distribution of a contracted work.
TSF does not port any image or previous work from their clients, they do all of their work from scratch therefore they have a saying on their graphics.
Screen Shots are harmless and encouraged (other wise why would WC include a SS section on their site) as long as they don't violate any of the site's guidelines or author's copyrights (as stated by Jafo on a previous reply)
Intentions to distribute ported/altered material without proper permission clearly violate guidelines and laws.

What TSF wants, TSF gets.


Any author that presents an original own work is protected by rights and is entitled to some demands. What such author wants, such author gets. This rule is not exclusive to TSF
Reply #54 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Any author that presents an original own work is protected by rights and is entitled to some demands. What such author wants, such author gets. This rule is not exclusive to TSF

Nicely put....was about to pen much the same...

Reply #55 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Sounds like 'nuff said.
Reply #56 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Jafo, I sent you a email a day or 2 back about something in the themes library. I know you probably get a lot but I didn't want to post any links here.
Reply #57 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Lantec....been a bit 'busy'...allegedly there's a thing called real-life...but I'll get there...
Reply #58 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Figured as much.
Reply #59 from WinCustomize Forums Top
[Sleeping Dragon]
TSF is protecting the rights of their clients. They cannot be aligned with any mishandling of copyrights or intellectual rights.


Exactly....and why this is perceived as arrogance..... beats me. TSF is only practicing good business sense by meeting its obligations to its clients, and should be respected...not scorned. Seems to me, there are some who would benifit from having to stand in anothers' shoes for a while. It's not arrogance to honour ones' contractual agreements by protecting the property and rights of ones' clients, though criticising and condemnation without qualification IS. It also brings negative attention we can do well without

since TSF typically uploads their clients skins here with permission, they cant afford to have peeps using WC to distribute unauthorized versions or ports ....if TSF didnt step up and say something then they could be looked at badly by future customers ...


This is a very good point....TSF is a highly respected and professional unit that cannot afford to have its integrity or professionalism compromised.

Furthermore, TSF's clients, both present and future, are not going to allow the sharing of their skins on WC (or any other site) when controversies over the content continue to arise. Heck, why would TSF even want to freely share in a climate of name calling, accusation and bad attitude!!! Given that so many of us enjoy and appreciate the works of TSF, we all need to consider this....treat someone badly enough for long enough and they'll take their building blocks a go play elsewhere....and that's not what the majority wants.

WC Ambassador .....I did not see the screenshot in question, but if it contained anything specific to a TSF skin, and links which may have led to the non-consentual distribution of said skin, then Wincustomize did the right thing in trying to protect the rights of another and did not abuse its power.
Reply #60 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am curious to know what exactly was said that everyone, who never saw the screenshot, thinks it was for ditribution when WC Embassador said he does not distribute and it was not his intention to do so. It seems that everyone here is saying that it's OK to show a screenshot (of a modified skin or something like that) as long as its not being illegally distributed and that's what WC E said he did yet everyone is being so hard on him. Did I miss something or maybe no one reads every post here?

Is there proof that he was either going to or had intentions of distributing this skin without permission? Or is everyone just ignoring the possibility that he said he was not going to distribute it cause ehe never does? I just simply want to know to understand all this.
Reply #61 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is there proof that he was either going to or had intentions of distributing this skin without permission?

Comment# 12 By WC Ambassador - 12/14/2004 10:43:17 PM

I'm still touching it around. You guys will be the first to use it. It's a promise.
Reply #63 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Comment# 12 By WC Ambassador - 12/14/2004 10:43:17 PM

I'm still touching it around. You guys will be the first to use it. It's a promise.


This comment was only to show i'm loyal to those who I've been supporting me. That meant if and if I ever had authorization to share it, they would be the first one to be noticed. As you can see, I sent an e-mail to TSF and that's how they know of the existence of the windowblind. Have I not brought it to their attention, they would not have known of it. As a good person, I asked for permission and I was turned down like a punk. And I was being threating and being treated like trash with more post by TSF. That's when I had a change of heart regarding them. I used to admire them. They did not treat me in a a professional manner saying, "Don't let me catch you sharing the skin" in a disrespectful way instead of saying "Please use for personal use and do not share it skin with those asking for it"
Reply #65 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The way I introduced the skin

WC Ambassador


NVIDIA REACTOR - The very best of its kind.


Update: I've learned more about using font colors and were very helpful in this update. As I feel a little more confortable with Skintudio, I reworked on some of the graphics again and position them better with stunning mouseover. Check the screenshot carefully for those - The cursors reveal some of the mouseover. The good news is that I'm close to finish it. Keep an eyes on it. I also want to thank the 'TSF' for starting the legend.
Wallpaper by me. Graphic from Yellow Alien wall by Pixtudio was also used.

IconPackager by Paul Boyer (Mormegil
Reply #66 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Your opinion of TSF is irrelevant. I saw nowhere in any comment where you stated you would share the skin only if you received permission. You further complicated the matter with this comment

You did not make the Windowblind. I did! NVIDIA has the right to the graphic, not you. You were paid and your job is over. If and only if I feel the need to have a few of my friends test it, it's my business.

It appears to me, that you caused this situation, with not-so-carefully chosen words.

Reply #67 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WC Ambassador

"You did not make the Windowblind. I did! NVIDIA has the right to the graphic, not you. You were paid and your job is over. If and only if I feel the need to have a few of my friends test it, it's my business"

That statement from you came AFTER TSF's request NOT to distribute your unauthorised port.

This screenshot and requests for the skin's distribution via email are now nearly a year old so it is, considering your subsequent attitude/comments, fair to deduce you have already distributed this skin to others as you clearly have scant regard for copyright/s.  The proper way to handle a skin port is to contact the original author for permission PRIOR to any public release, screenshot or otherwise.

Or,

If a screenshot is posted first establish clearly that there IS NO permission to distribute as yet and make abundantly clear that no-one will be receiving a copy in any shape or form until that permission is forth-coming.

If permission is refused do NOT make a public issue of it.  Chalk it up to 'bad choice of subject material' and choose something ORIGINAL next time.

I'm not sure how or even if this screenshot was deleted at one time....maybe by accident while I was removing temptation from you by deleting email addresses [probably after the horse had bolted], but it is NOT an abuse of power as this thread claims.

The only 'abuse' I see here is of the right of The Skins Factory to not have their works plagiarised without consent.

Someone who purports to be 'WC Ambassador' should do his homework somewhat better than this.

Or change his nick.

 

 

 

 

Reply #68 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I was digging through my files and actually found the screenshot....
Reply #69 from WinCustomize Forums Top
.....I did not see the screenshot in question, but if it contained anything specific to a TSF skin


It looks to me, and I actually did this to compare, like WC Amb unpacked the .wmz file and put his theme together.
Reply #70 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WC Ambassador, it seems you do not understand (or refuse to understand) the mechanics of porting, copyright laws and site's guidelines.
You have more issues in regards to this skin than you actually think.
If your intentions were to simply show off your desktop, the correct comment should've been something like "NVIDIA WB skin ported/modified from TSF and Pixtudio for personal use"
If your intentions were to distribute and/or upload the skin, you needed to take three very important steps.

1) Get permission from NVIDIA Corp. Since they already hired/licensed Pixtudio and TSF, they would not be happy to see an unlicensed skin been distributed for free after they paid for one.
2) If NVIDIA Corp. would grant such permission; you would then need to get direct permission from TSF for the use of their images.
3) You would need direct permission from Pixtudio for use of their images.

After, and only after you have successfully completed these steps you can then announce and distribute your ported/modified work.

And do keep in mind that NVIDIA Corp. holds all the rights to their logos, images and registered name. The contract details between NVIDIA and TSF/NVIDIA and Pixtudio determines the rights each artist holds on their work.

It is as clear as water
Reply #71 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Closing...

I did not and have no intention to share the skin. I started behaving with little class toward TSF because they told me don't let them catch me sharing the skin after I asked them for permission. Simply saying 'no' would end it all as I already mentioned on the screenshot's thread that this skin has been turned down and will not be uploaded or sharing.

I did not unpacked the actual Nvidia Reactor Windows Media Player to make the skin, it's only based on it.

I'll still be enjoying the 'Nvidia Reactor Windows Media Player's skin', other skins and future skins by TSF.

I thank all for their supports as well as those who weren't on my side. I've done nothing wrong, but could have done better.

please do keep on eye open on 'The Making Of Alienware Star Wars' for personal use only. Check my Gallery for more info. The project is still on and will be updated soon.

You haven't seen nothing yet!


Love Always
Reply #72 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Adept Apocalypse_67, I posted my above comment before seing yours. Everything is solved. No need to continue with this. Thank you all!
Reply #73 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I Heart TSF!

Reply #74 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...as clear as this is, and however much TSF is in the right, Jesh has a method of condescension all his own and when called upon to protect his client's rights, can make the calmest of people want to punch a wall. Jesh, I would rather say it to you, than whisper it behind your back; diplomacy is not your strength. Perhaps it does not need to be as you are obviously the right guy for the job at TSF.

Your comments were wrong WCA, but I understand the passion that fueled them. Stick that passion into an original skin and make the whole community go

You have the skills. Apply them.

Just one guy's opinion.
Reply #75 from WinCustomize Forums Top
...as clear as this is, and however much TSF is in the right, Jesh has a method of condescension all his own and when called upon to protect his client's rights, can make the calmest of people want to punch a wall. Jesh, I would rather say it to you, than whisper it behind your back; diplomacy is not your strength. Perhaps it does not need to be as you are obviously the right guy for the job at TSF.

Your comments were wrong WCA, but I understand the passion that fueled them. Stick that passion into an original skin and make the whole community go

You have the skills. Apply them.

Just one guy's opinion.


What is that all about. Do you like to just pick on people. Move on! Go read comment #71 and more

Last but not least, I don't want to work for TSF. I never think of it for a second. Go for it.