Abuse of power, can it really be stopped?

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 by WC Ambassador | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk

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...
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Koasati
Reply #61 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 2:36 PM
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.

NightTrainthedark
Reply #62 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 2:41 PM
Thank you for putting an end to this nonsense Koasati.

WC Ambassador
Reply #63 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 3:15 PM
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"

WC Ambassador
Reply #64 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 3:20 PM
Here is a direct link if anyone want to see it Link



Peace

WC Ambassador
Reply #65 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 3:25 PM
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

Koasati
Reply #66 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 5:21 PM
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.


Jafo
Reply #67 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 5:28 PM

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.

 

 

 

 


scorpio-logic
Reply #68 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 6:01 PM
I was digging through my files and actually found the screenshot....

scorpio-logic
Reply #69 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 6:04 PM
.....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.

Apocalypse_67
Reply #70 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 7:18 PM
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

WC Ambassador
Reply #71 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 7:24 PM
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

WC Ambassador
Reply #72 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 7:27 PM
Adept Apocalypse_67, I posted my above comment before seing yours. Everything is solved. No need to continue with this. Thank you all!

Sugaree
Reply #73 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 8:00 PM
I Heart TSF!


Sleeping Dragon
Reply #74 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 8:26 PM
...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.

WC Ambassador
Reply #75 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 8:44 PM
...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.

Sleeping Dragon
Reply #76 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 8:50 PM
Sorry, WCA. I thought I was understanding you. I don't like to pick on people, at all. I was empathizing with your frustration. I did not mention working for TSF. Jesh is their spokesman here. Perhaps you misunderstood. I meant no offense.

Sleeping Dragon
Reply #77 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 8:52 PM
...should have left this one alone, I guess.

joetheblow
Reply #78 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 9:11 PM
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?


I would answer that by saying this:
IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!!

It is a screenshot. It is not a running diplay of a working WindowBlind or anything else. Your turning what we all know is a complex program to skin into a wallpaper. Wndowblinds, WinAMP Systmetrix and other such goodies are not simple. They have multiple peieces to it.



NOW IF ALL THOSE PIECE WERE SHOWN then I would have a problem, but whether the graphics are original is irrelevent becuase its on their computer NOT on the internet.

This reminds me of that incedent with Boxxi and TSF. My concusion was the same then as it is now: its a screenshot that shows a still of what is going on... no amimations, no whole parts... you can't possibly see everything at one shot.

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


If he did that thn that is why it was taken down.


Its simple really. But I guess the real question is that are people treated equally on a site and the asnwer is a real one: everyt site operats differently and that operation changes during the time it opens to when it closes.

I run 4 sites online right now and an administrator on one and I can tell you the rules on each site is different. Usually the people who done most for the site gets more reprives than those who just make a stir and then leave.

joetheblow
Reply #79 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 9:24 PM
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.


No, it probably would have still been deleted.

aimzzz
Reply #80 Wednesday, November 9, 2005 9:35 PM
WC Ambassador

I have to tell you: I wish you would consider changing your nick.

By calling yourself WC Ambassador, you give the impression that you speak for us all. You don't speak for me, and a quick glance through the comments will show you that many here do not agree with your position.

Since you were not selected as an ambassador by WC or by the community, a different nick might be more appropriate. Just something to consider...

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