Well, didnt know really where to post this, so I guess this is as good a place as any to start :) When we got the ability to add our favorite artists to our homepage and get notified when they post an image, I thought it was an excellent idea. However, with the recent occurances of people from places like the Yahoo Groups, MSN groups, etc. stealing images from artists here and claiming them as their own, it made me wonder if this was really a good idea or not. Think about this. My partner was added to a users favorite artists list tonight. This person has no gallery, and has added almost 400 names to their list. I dont know. Maybe if we had the ability to say yes or no when someone adds us to their favorite artists list....does that sound crude?? Dont sling the mud too hard, ok?? :)))

Mr. Angel lol I don't think that sounds terribly crude. I've had the same thing happen to me several times, and have wondered the very same thing. It does not seem unreasonable to accept or deny being added to someones favorite's list, as long as renderosity an break it to them gently. 400 artists does seem a bit extreme though (oh! Those ebots!)

400?? whoa, something just doesn't sound so kosher there does it. I dont think it would be crude at all to be able to accept or deny being added to a fave artists list...that list just seems like a conveinent way for those snagger goups to gather more images all in one place..less looking for them.

No..I think that would be crude. and rude. Assuming guilt is always dangerous.

What difference does it make if the guy has his favorite artists listed on his homepage, typed in a word document or written down on a piece of paper? And its easy enough for the guy to just harvest your partners gallery without even adding them to the list. Maybe your partner should just ASK this guy why he has 400 artists on his list but I dont see why that would be anybodys business anyway.

People need to chill out and quit being so damn paranoid.

It would be rude and crude. Maybe the best way is to limit the homepage to 10 favorite artists... but that would probably PO some people too.

Geez, he was just offering his ideas on protecting his, his partners, and everyone else's artwork here. I just found out yesterday that one of my images was stolen (and it was a memorial pic - very emotionally hurtful)so, perhaps it is still a tender subject. Bshafer, your point is valid, and maybe it is not our business - until we get ripped off by another member of renderosity. Then it is our business. Although GothicAngels idea does have the downfalls that Spit, you, and Niles have so politely pointed out, his concern for the community is still well meant, and I for one am glad that someone actually cares. Please do not take this message the wrong way, I have much respect for anyone willing to voice their opinion (knowing it may or may not be well recieved) But telling someone - including me- to "chill out and quit being so paranoid" may not have been the best way to present it.

Well this subject has all the makings of a potential witch-hunt. We just CANNOT start harassing the fans if they have lots of artists on their lists and denying them the ability to add someone to the list is harassment IMHO. If admins removes the lists altogether, the thieves will still swipe the images anyway. The best way to protect your images is to not post them at all. Oh and atom1972, I am not offended by your gentle reprimand because you clearly missed the point of my statement.

perhaps I should have asked for you to clarify your opinion, instead of having a knee-jerk reaction to your comment (which, IMHO, seemed to come off quite sharp). I clearly understand your point, and it is a valid point indeed. I would not wish to harass members any more than you would. I cannot speak personally for gothic angel either, but I am pretty sure harassment and witch hunts were not on his agenda. I get the idea that he was just telling us to beware. Like i said, I certainly can see the downside of his plan too, an to some degree, agree with you. Thieves will take what they want regardless of security measures imposed - so why alienate our members? On the other hand, I can understand why he (or anyone) would feel that drastic measures were needed. Some artists here make a living off of their images. Having them stolen is to have all their hard work and livelyhood stolen as well. I would certainly feel rattled enough to think up a plan like his. In the end, it may not be the best idea, but at least he offered it to us to think about. With much respect to you as an exceptional artist as well as your opinion, I would be interested in knowing what you might propose (aside form not posting at all or just "chilling" because we can't stop it anyway). Jane.

Sorry I too think that's a bad idea - the favorite artist simply makes it easier to add artists to a list. But they were always able to bookmark a specific gallery anyhow, that's what I did in the past when I wanted to view the work of a certain artist. Some people join 'rosity just to see and "snag" images. Limiting the favorites list isn't going to stop that - it was going on long before that list existed.

Okay..How can you find out if your pics are being used on other sites with out you permission?...I have had alot of members put me as there Favorite but they have never comment on any of my pics...Where would you start looking?...Thanks

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LOL Fyrene ~is~ GothicAngel's partner ;-D Artistheat - you could do a websearch for your images by genre - i.e. I've searched for my work and found a few by searching bondage fae, bondage fairies and adding "tag", "sig" "theme" etc. But generally you will only know if someone tells you. That's why I offer free prints on my site to those who tell me.

I know, I figured they just might have made a mistake posting twice or something. Don't mind me, carry on...

Isn't there better things to get ones panties in a bunch about than worrying if someone has a picture in a Yahoo group? I can certainly understand being upset if it was costing someone money but in 99% of the cases it isn't and might even get more people to try Poser. It's like a couple people complained & now everyone feels the need to say they're outraged as well just to be PC.

Farside, Some people prefer to be asked..others do not care. Why condem those who DO care? Altho Im not sure of the exact stats, I think saying 99% of the cases isnt costing someone money, is a bit off. Its just common courtesy to ask...

I'm not condemming anyone, I just think that it's a waste of our short lifespans time to worry about something that you really have no control over especially if it costs you nothing when it happens. There are so many better things you could be worrying about. If you post a picture here do so knowing there is a strong possibility it'll be missused. It sucks, it shouldn't happen but its often true.

Well, even tho I agree with that fact that it can and does happen, we still can take some time out of our busy days to band together and try to curb some of this activity. Even if an artist is creating these images for pure pleasure, it still costs something..maybe not im monetary terms, but it is severly hurtful to spend hours/days/weeks/months creating an image, and then to have it snatched and claimed as someone elses work, only to be told that "nothing can be done about it"..I think if enough people get together, something CAN be done about it. Thats my 2 c's anyway... Have a good one all! ~Jani

To a certain extent, I think what can be done is being done. People are reporting images they find. It is up to the individuals whose work is involved to make the necessary complaints to get the images removed. Beyond that, even if you manage to get the "death penalty" imposed on someone, i.e. having their ISP pull their ticket, they can easily resurrect themselves somewhere else. Unfortunately, that means that there is no one shot solution to the problem. The war on "artistic terrorism," to borrow a concept is, by necessity an ongoing one. On the other hand, there was just recently a thread that mentioned various ways to protect images from being snagged. Though none of methods is foolproof by any means, a combination of them may persuade the less tenacious thieves to look elsewhere. I don't recall seeing any suggestions that perhaps Renderosity should incorporate some of these measures in the their galleries.

I agree with JSM2....A year ago there was a Poser sites that had a talented artist making textures for The MilPeople and P4 Some of the best Realistic Textures around..But He closed down because he found that in the Stores they were selling his textures...and that was only the start of things...There were sites also giving away free Poser Prop high Quality stuff and found that they were being sold on sites with different textures on them...they closed down also.....Many Free sites close down because there stuff was being taken and sold on other sites...such as "initials only" {TS}site....So Artist work can be stolen and sold as prints...Some can be used for webpage makers,can be submitted to magazines under someone elses name...Is it Silly to worry about it everyday?...Of course it is But it's also sad to know someone else is making a profit from your hard work...Just my 2C...

...And just because somebody doesn't have a gallery here doesn't condemn him as an evildoer per se. Carolly