redemptionX opened this issue on Aug 04, 2001 ยท 6 posts
melanie posted Sun, 05 August 2001 at 9:02 AM
Unfortunately, I've downloaded some really wonderful things, but I've ended up just deleting them because there's no readme with terms of use or author's name. I want to give credit, and I also don't want to inadvertently use something in a commercial project without permission. Without names, e-mail addresses, or some sort of use instructions, I end up scrapping the item, when it could have been something very useful to a scene I'm working on, simply because no restrictions are listed and no address or name to contact to ask for permission is included. I think that artists goes to a lot of work and time to create something to share with the community, but if they don't include documentation with it, they set themselves up for their items becoming public domain, since they don't claim ownership on them. If anyone uses them inappropriately, it's the artist's own fault for not stating the use restrictions in a readme, in which case they really don't have a right to complain that someone is using their stuff without permission. In my case, I simply won't use the item at all without accompanying documentation unless I know that no one will ever see the finished result but me. So, please, artists, protect yourself and your creations by adding a document with information about the item, what version of Poser it's for, how it can be legally used, who you are, and contact information. Besides, anonymity is commendable, but we'd just like to know who these talented folks are. They deserve credit for their time and hard work. Melanie