"I've Hit the Big Time! My Copyright's Been Infringed!" Topic

Sometimes it feels like my business is totally under the radar screens of the gamers out there. Sales have been good, but it still seems like few people know about me or the stuff that I make.

But that all changed today! Somebody has infringed my copyright! Yeehaa!

Actually it was no big deal. Someone downloaded the free sample from my website (which is clearly marked "for personal use only") modified it and then uploaded it to another website for download. They aren't charging anything for it, but they aren't giving me any credit for it, either. The administrator of the other website spotted it, realized what it was (so I guess some folks do know about me, huh?) and took it down and contacted me.

I'm not angry and I'm certainly not going to take any legal actions (unless the guy persists). Actually it's kind of cool: someone thought my stuff was good enough to be worth stealing :)

Scott Washburn
PaperTerrain

Scott: Actually it's kind of cool: someone thought my stuff was good enough to be worth stealing :)

There is no more sincere praise. And yet, strangely unsatisfying…

Put the idiot's name down here, if you know it.

Scott, you have a kind and forgiving attitude, which is admirable. But the individual who swiped your work should not have done it; I hope he doesn't persist.

Wow…I think, I want to say Congratulations…but still…So your stuff is good enough to steal eh?…

Please tell me the foul fiend wasn't from Bongolesia…

He is Murph and I hear he wants to play FOW with you. ;)

Scott, that is almost as cool as having a price on your head.

Hey Scott for what it is worth I steal your ideas all the time. Heck I am even working on the Alternative Gettysburg attack on day two that you first posted on TMP. Think I am going to give you credit for the idea? Okay so I will give you credit. But I will continue to steal your good ideas!

VR
James Mattes

Scott,

I must say, I was a little tentative when I bought your first product. Afterall there are some 'free' paper buildings out there.

After I got them I was a little tentative because I was worried I would screw them up, so I made a couple copies for practice runs.

I probably needn't have worried too much as the only problems I have had with your products were those two practice runs. Once you get the hang of things (and score the outside corner before assembling), these go together quite well.

I highly recommend these to anyone looking for cheap, fast, pre-painted buildings.

mjc

Well, um, congratulations!

You probably have one of the best attitudes I've ever encountered. Bravo.

James: Steal all the ideas you want :) You can't copyright ideas anyway. And I'd be interested in how your (my) Gettysburg scenario turns out! Keep us informed!

Scott always be aware. Most copy right issues seem to start out small but escalate over time.

It does get frustrating when you have had a good idea/product and get no recognition but then some one else later uses your idea/product and they get loads of raves for being so inventive.

It is weird, especially on a free product.

I remember the joint feelings of anger and pride when a ruleset I wrote, but which was freely downloadable, giot ripped off into Italian AND the guy wrote a couple of variants on it.

Many people think that something exposed freely on Internet is free to be used without limitation, so they are partially excused. Many other know they are committing an illegal action but I see that a feeling against piracy is growing up in these years.

In any cases, congratulations Scott!

Claudio

It was the Vauban fortress, right?

Something like that's been needed for years.

Scott: I'm a big fan of your products – use them for FOW. As copyrights go, it is important that you actively try to enforce them. If you haven't done so, a quick, polite email to the offending party would be useful. Companies that don't actively defend their copyrights run the risk of loosing them to the "public domain".

Update: I have been contacted by the gentleman responsible and he has apologized for the mistake. Apparently, he got my file off some other website (sadly, he couldn't remember which one) without realizing that it was copyrighted material. I'm quite certain that he is sincere and I consider the matter resolved.

Now if I could just find that other website…

So Scott is has a great product, delivers great service and is a great guy? He's got to have some fault somewhere. I bet he's a closet Eurodisco fan. Admit it, Scott, you listen to Blümchen!

Actually, I'm listening to Beethoven right now :) But as for faults, I'm sure my wife could provide you with a list!