PMBD

It's from a SimMaster, for whatever that's worth. But still, it's possibly the first hint of EA's stance on copyrights?

Obviously some person was complaining that his/her custom content had been "stolen" and uploaded to the Exchange. The post was removed before I could get to it, and this was posted:
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Author:      SimMasterPiparis - Rank: Big-Mouthed Bedlamite - View MySimPage      Profile
Date:     Nov-12-06 10:40 AM PST
Subject:
     
swiftyslam30

I have deleted your thread. First off if you have a problem with another user on the boards calling them out on the boards is the wrong way to go about things. Second..whenever you upload things to the internet more than likely things will be copied. Once you upload it it no longer belongs just to you and there are no copywriting things on this site. If you upload it, it actually doesn't belong to you but to EA and EA gives the right for users to use their things.

Just think of it this way people say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so instead of being angry...feel flattered that someone copied you.
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Just thought it interesting.

I never thought this day would come, but...

I LOVE You EA!

That is sweet!

I want to POST IT EVERYWHERE!

http://tinyurl.com/yjwn5w

Wow. That's pretty....something. BUT, it's only coming from a SimMaster, who isn't like, the last official word from EA...But still. Wow.

I have heard SimMaster's say exact opposite things on this topic.  Exact opposite.  Freaking turds.

Shit!

I don't love you EA!

Well, at least it is a valid view in EA's eyes, not just some wicked renegade thing...

There TOS states the same thing. Now it is just plain English without all the lawyer talk.

Do you think for one minute if this was not true that EA would let Pescado keep going. They have been telling people for forever this. They privately tell those putting up pay meshes that it is ok just dont advertise it. Now, they have just put it in plain English that even a china woman can understand. Nothing against china people mind you

Of course, but make no mistake, plain English counts for A LOT.

I think Pescado's been planted in the community by EA

I just hope it doesn't get deleted too quickly!  I've taken a screen cap regardless!

We should all charge people money for complaining their stuff was "stolen" on the Exchange.  We'd all be rich LOL  :D

Glad someone finally spelled it out for them

It's out on S2C

http://forums.sims2community.com/showthread.php?t=28762&page=3&pp=25

Intersting but, I can see people trying to twist the wording around now that I have been reading it multiple times

> after you upload it, implies to me that the creator of the item deliberately uploaded the item
> there is no copyright on this site - again sounds more specific about the exchange and not all sims .packages in general
> If you upload it, it actually doesn't belong to you but to EA and EA gives the right for users to use their things  -- again you are going to have people saying that only applies to the exchange

I it's a step in the right direction for sure, I hope they will have a make a clearer statement, as I can just see this being picked apart by creators.  :roll:

sorry was trying to edit not quote

So we could put this in signatures on all the sites and no one could ban us for it because it is based on what EA has said. Right?

Sherry, I thought the same too, but..The guy who had his/her post deleted, they didn't post the content at the exchange did they, they where berating someone for posting their content there.

Maybe I'm wrong, but thats the way I read it.   Joe Bloggs posts someones content at the exchange, creator finds out and berates someone on the forum for posting their content (stealing) and then creators post is deleted, not posters...

EDIT:  I get what ya mean now, ignore me

One could argue these points but, this is in repsonse to someone complaining about their meshes being uploaded to the exchange, not the fact they uploaded it themselves and then wanted it off. Combine this plain English post and combine it with what is required to be on any site


I mean they are selling/giving away game content. You download game content from a site that has that posted(which is all of them) it is being done with the knowledge that the copyright belongs to EA. The site states it right there. By the way this one I got at Simsvault. I seriously dont understnad why the have been arguing at all.



The Trademark, Name of the site and any logos are theirs, the game content is EA's



They have nothing! THey just need to give it up because EA is not going to turn the rights of their game over to creators. They will shut creators down first. I mean look at the meshes they  have for future stuff packs :D

I agree with you Lacky, LOL I am just saying it is going to be argued.  Creators are going to dispute the loopholes of the matter (that is most likely dealing with someone who didn't want their stuff on the exchange, but it's not exactly like we saw what was up there before so we don't know) they will find some way to dispute it.  All I was trying to say is that if EA is going to allow this to go up, I am hoping that will just go all the way and say what we all already know is true: All Your Mesh Are Belong To Us

Did anyone see the original post that the simmaster was replying to? Did it mention a specific site? What did it say? Did you manage to save a copy?

Sorry to bring up this kind of dead topic, but what would happen if someone created a big house full of all the booty and uploaded it to the exchange? Technically, once there, it all belongs to EA and everyone is allowed to do what they please with it, right?  Do you think they'd remove it if enough people complained about it?

EA is a changeable beast, indeed....hard to say.

That would be one HUGE file though... :P

http://bbs.thesims2.ea.com/community/bbs/messages.php?threadID=f4ba0da263b74873db46d79b6ce3b33c&directoryID=2&startRow=1&openItemID=item.2,item.43,item.61,item.104,item.127,item.23


Was posted on the website just awhile ago.  It's not really saying much, but something has been said.

That could be summarised into two words:

"Shut up."

That was the extent of the message I got from that.

"Shut up" with a little "No comment".

*fingers in ears*
La La La We can't hear you!  :P

Silly neutral EA...

Still, at least they're still allowing mentioning it on one's SimPage...which is something...

 :lol:
confusion....frustration....nothing new there.
And who really cares about hurt feelings.
If they would just grow a pair and take a stand on the issue already that would shut some people up quicker.

Yeah, just because they're ignoring it doesn't mean it will go away.

Although I guess taking a position on the issue would require actual effort, and how can they manage that when they're so busy churning out quality EP's and Stuff Packs?  :roll:

They are not taking an actual stand on the issue would upset a large number of fans in either direction.  Being neutral pisses off both groups, but it still allows either to go and do whatever they want.  EA is not going to take a stand now just because a bunch of simmers have found PMBD and are excited and aggravated about the issue.  Why would they?  They have dealt with it too many times in the past to know the with a little waiting it will blow over.  

flyonthewall the issue won't go away, but everyone's intensity about it will.  It always does.  EA is only looking out for EA.  What more does anyone really expect they would do?  They have successfuly avoided the issue for at least 5 years that I have been aware of it's existance.  They will probably continue to do so.

EA doesn't want to take sides on this issue because it doesn't directly affect them as it stands now, but taking a position would set themselves up in a potentially lose/lose position: The EA EULA is a frankly legally shaky document that may not hold up in a fight. EA does not wish to attack paysites because they may lose. Paysites do not wish to attack EA because they could lose, and it would be expensive. EA doesn't wish to attack us because that would essentially be shooting their own EULA. Thus, this situation is lose/lose, and the only thing they really CAN do is to pull a Lythdan: FINGERS IN EARS!

EA will do whatever is cheapest for them.  They won't spend one cent on lawyers fighting paysites.  But technically, I think they would win since it is their product, and in some cases, their tools being used for sale.

It is a shame thast instead a saying anything concrete, they had to do a 'You're BOTH my favourite kid!' thing, BUT, at least this way, they have said something, and have not just, in a kneejerk sort of way gone: 'ThepiratesarebadOMG!!' or something...what I'm attempting to say is, however lamely, they have now adressed the issue in a way, and it has in no way condemned us, which does, in a way, lend us extra credibility, in the eyes of most sheep who own't listen to proper argument...

That's true. For all the whining paysite owners do about "stealing", there's not really anything they can do about it because EA won't choose a side.

Why do paysite owners think the issue is so black and white?

EA is enjoying the show. What happens when a parent states "You're BOTH my favorite!"? The kids take care of it, the decision is theirs. EA is waiting for the kids to get serious. Staying neutral is safe. There's the paysite side, the anti-paysite side, and the EA side.  :P

I really think creators that are so huffy about their stuff and get honked off so easily need to get a real job and learn how to enjoy a hobby for what it is supposed to be... fun.

Hey, Ryu Hayabusa has a point, "Life is difficult if your soul is imperfect." You're doing something wrong, it's only going to get harder. As long as there is an ounce of good left in this world the bad will never win. Thus, the eternal struggle.

I got y'all misty eyed didn't I? I know, shut up. I'll go read a book.  :roll:

I don't think the EULA is all that shaky, I think it's something that EA could solidify as law pretty easily if they wanted to.  It's just easier, as many have mentioned for them, from all standpoints not to.  In my mind they have pretty much taken a stand already, but it's in the enforcing part they lack.  It's like your mom threatening to ground you if you don't clean your room.  If she never enforces the punishment, are you going to take what she says seriously?  I think it's not so much about black and white as it is about the fact that EA has been ignoring that paysites have been getting away with something they shouldn't for so long now, well it's hard to ground them and fix such an epic problem which really has little effect on them where it matters.  In their profits.  So they'll ignore the mess and move on selling EPs and stuff packs.



I doubt that.  I am sure they wish it would end as much as we wish they would take a firm stand on the issue.  Because eveytime this issue pops up they have to spend alot of time and effort pretending to ignore and be neutral about it, which is probably a hard thing to do.



True but commenting on filesharing as bad would have more implications than *filesharing* not being allowed.  It would mean dealing with massive complaints on the exchange and even moreso than that, taking a stand against filesharing, would be like backing paysites, and discrediting their own EULA.  There are plenty of people who do not fileshare or like filesharing, but who also do not like the idea of paysites and what they have become.  They know they would upset more than filesharers if they took a stand against us.

I would think the paysites would harm EA's profits as many people would rather buy a paysite set than a pack.  The packs are kind of bland in comparision.

I think stuff packs target a different audience.  There are alot of people who prefer Maxis content only, crazy but I have stumbled upon a few forums to see that this is true.  Forums that share all those "special" Maxis gifts from preorder this and hidden thats.  There are enough people who need to have everything too, the minor new objects or animations are enough to make them empty their pockets.  I don't think paysites existance effect the stuff pack sales either way.  Either you are into them or not.  There could be no paysites and I still wouldn't buy those packs.  However, I guess you could argue that the existance of CC in general might hurt the sales of stuff packs, but then with no CC I probably wouldn't still be interested in the game itself.  It's a conundrum for sure.

If EA decided to enforce their EULA, and go after the paysites, they would only need to make an example of one.

They wouldn't need to challenge them all, the rest would dive for cover.

Either that, or re-word the EULA.  And  I presume that would be a mighty headache, with all the copies already installed on peoples machines.  I admit I am ignorant where EULA changing goes.

I don't know about that.  EULA says non-commercial, not no paysites.  So techinically you could have a very shitty hosting plan, but still be non-commerical or claiming to be.  Infact a hell of alot of sites still claim that now, even though we know it's almost impossible that it is so.

It might cause Paysites to drop there cost a bit and then charge they are non-commercial I doubt though most sites would cave in to it though unless they knew EA was going to actively investigate, which we know they would not.

"It’s like bigamy: If a man is married to two women, and they don't care, there's nothing anyone can do about it. It’s still "against the law" but no one other than one of the wives can press charges."

Not true. If it is against the law, *anyone* including the government itself can press charges.

Well, it seems obvious to me that the reason for EA's neutrality in this matter is strictly profit-driven. They don't want to take sides, because they know that both sides are consumers of EA products. Why would any business-savvy corporation want to risk alienating a large segment of its consumer-base for any reason? It just wouldn't make good business sense to do so.

That's my thought on it too.  Well put.