Abuse of power, can it really be stopped?

Published on November 8, 2005 By WC Ambassador In 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...

Comments (Page 1)

WC Ambassador

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

WC Ambassador

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

Vailene

on Nov 08, 2005

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!

Phoon

on Nov 08, 2005

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...

TYCUS

on Nov 08, 2005

I would be interested in seeing it...

Me too...!

-=TYCUS=-

Hus

on Nov 08, 2005

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...

Sleeping Dragon

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

ByronTodd

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

WC Ambassador

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

WC Ambassador

on Nov 08, 2005

I believe this one will be next to get deleted Link

TYCUS

on Nov 08, 2005

I believe this one will be next to get deleted

"Link error"

-=TYCUS=-

Z71

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

WC Ambassador

on Nov 08, 2005

New link for what might be deleted soon

Link

SIXX21

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

MikeB314

on Nov 08, 2005

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.

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