Omni 3D Will shut down the download area when Propsguild closes. I will not allow my meshes and hosted stuff to be stolen. Those creators who's meshes are hosted on or at Omni will still be available through the freestuff here for as long as the creator wishes but the bulk of my freestuff will be down. Until this issue is settled. Stormrage

The issue of theft will never be settled. If it bothers you this much, you'd be best keeping your stuff to yourself for good. Why wait until Propsguild closes? Is nobody going to steal from you in the meantime? How utterly bizarre. Is this online community governed by the herd instinct? One person is caught stealing, and the rest of the world whips itself into a frenzy of self destruction.

Although they really don't do it, I believe the word you're looking for, PJF, is "lemmings". Actually "self-righteous lemmings". It's a rare suspecies. While they're driving themselves over a cliff they keep telling everyone around them what a great idea it is.

PJF... Let me say this. I have fought copyright theft for a long time. From those who steal my written work to my 3d Work. Ask my lawyer if you think I haven't I have the bills to prove it. I am not stupid in thinking that no one steals from me. I know there are those who do. BUT I will fight them and I WILL support those who fight theft. I have always provided my stuff for free. I have also given non=commercial rights to those who download my stuff AS LONG as they do not sell the original meshes. Besides I am trying to come up with a way to provide downloads and protect copyrights at the same time. Instead of blasting everyone Try supporting them. That works a lot better. Storm

It'd be easier to support people if they didn't engage in actions which are, at best, foolhardy and more accurately termed incredibly moronic. Besides, how are we supposed to support them? Well, we won't be able to download their models and give proper credit. We won't be able to tell people "Don't use this schmuck, go here and get it for free." We won't be able to do a damn thing. So don't ask people to support an action that doesn't serve anyone's needs.

Storm: if you do something I support. I'll support you. If you do something silly, I'll say so. Believe me, I do appreciate you fine people making stuff available for free, and I support you in your desire to protect the copyright of your creations. Unfortunately, you can't provide free downloads and protect your copyright (beyond that protection established in law) at the same time. One or the other, but not both.

This is not fighting theft though. It's cutting off your head to spite a grey hair on your foot.

PJF - Actually yes you can. Just because I offer something for free download does not mean that I cannot protect the copyright I can specify what you can do with the object (ie. Commercial and non commercial rights. if you can put it with collections for download and other such things.) Copyright law provides you these rights. If they didn't you wouldn't find half the stuff here that you do. i know copyright laws regarding my work, and the rights I have. Storm

arcady.. Omni 3D is shutting down the downloads to support the Props guild and 3DCC. And also to bring online a new way of downloading. To protect my copyrights. This is something I have been working on and will be available soon. This move of mine is in support of the Propsguild. Either way Omni downloads will shut down to bring on this new protection but will not come online until Propsguild returns. If it's silly or stupid then so be it. It's my site. My work and I will protect it. Storm

What are you going to do... to protect? Passworded zips? Passworded site?

Yes Storm, that's why I said: "Unfortunately, you can't provide free downloads and protect your copyright (beyond that protection established in law)... Your rights are already established in law. You can use a complex download system that encourages people to read the copyright clause if you like, but the protection offered to you by the law remains the same. And so do the limitations of that protection. A scumbag can read your copyright clause and still go ahead and abuse it. Scumbags don't care. Zygote are in the same position with their stuff. As with them, your best protection against abuse of your public access offerings is for as many people to be aware of them as possible. The 'community' is your friend in this respect. Punishing them and coming across as a sulking primadonna doesn't strike me as the best way to nurture a friendship...

ever heard of closing the barn door after the cow's already gone?

Man, you cut back on reading the forums so you can work on a new piece and look what slips by. I don't think their actions (while I don't particularly, and quite selfishly, like it) are all that over the top. If I were in their shoes, after giving away all of the free stuff they have over the years, I'd not only be pissed at this moron but that I'd also have to explain and defend my actions to the 'community'. Why get mad at them for reacting to finding out their hours of hard work are lining someone elses pockets? If we are truly 'friends' then do what you'd do for a real friend, you let him/her know what you think but you back them up. You want things back to the way they were, help shut this guy down. 20 guys, even with copyright laws on their side, don't make anywhere near the impact on businesses (like ISP's) as 2000 ticked off individuals. Crank up the e-mail machine and see what happens (I don't mean immature drivel, but serious demands to have this guys site pulled and the reason(s) why). You think the $20-$50 this guy probably forks over each month is worth the hassle for any ISP to read (and possibly respond) to that much e-mail? My 2-cents. -=>Donald

No, I just think that closing down sites doesn't punish this guy, just makes his site the only one where you can get the models. He wins. The rest of us get punished

I sent a letter to the thief telling him to close down his site. This is his cut and pasted reply: "But, who are you believed that is?. The owner of Internet? I assure him that if my place suffers the smallest damage, it will be the end of the forum where they move mafioso as you. I am in treatments with Zigote and I can assure him this." He obviously doesn't speak english, has no remorse whatsoever and thinks zygote is the only site he's stolen from that needs addressing at all

Shaking head If you all bombarded the isp and the thief the way you bombard us His site would most likely be pulled. Better to attack those who choose to try to protect themselves rather than solve the reason that they have to protect themselves hmmm? That's screwy to me. Allerleirauh. In all of our discussions and "arguments" I have never to my recollection called you an Idiot. You could have your say without the name calling. DHolman thank you. Stormrage

Allerleirauh.. #1 I did not say I would be pulling my stuff from Renderosity Only the bulk of my downloads which happens to be small shit stuff. So I will still be contributing but the bulk of my stuff will not be available. but the bulk of my freestuff will be down. The four or five items in freestuff are not hosted on Omni yet. So they are staying up. Now if that is not contributing. Shoot me. Stormrage

One quick comment. If a member alerting the creater of a mesh to a theft of his property results in all this closing of sites, how long before people refuse to give the alert when thefts are discovered? This is a nice way to thank the community for their support. My 3 1/2 cents Canadian. Greywolf

Does anyone get that "if your friends jumped off a cliff, would you, too?" thing here? If everyone shuts down their sites, there'll be nothing left for the people who legitimately use this stuff. It won't solve anything. So, for people like me (and especially since I'm waiting for my own computer so I don't have to share one) a lot of stuff won't be there. I personally haven't contributed anything as of yet, but I hope to when I get more time and all that. I don't know how shutting down is supposed to help anything. It's like this: Michelangelo: "I'm going to stop showing my art. I had someone claim credit for a sculpture. So I'm still going to create stuff, but nobody can see it now. That oughtta teach the thief."

I'm sorry to hear this. I'm sorry to see arguing back and forth. I don't believe that closing you're downloads will do damage to this theif or any other. But it is you're site and your decision. It just makes me very sad to see this happening.

Everyone one is rightfully mad that that stuff was stolen but closing your free sites down is punishing who? If peoples resolve is so delicate that one act of theft (which this is not the first time in history theft has occured)you fold up in anger or protest why did you have free stuff up in the first place? You shouild have known this would and possibly will happen again. So your punishing everyone else for one misdeed. The logic is not there!!!!!!