It's been a hectic weekend, so I missed out on this whole thread from the beginning, but I must say it's a debate that I very much approve of and strive to begin on other forums sometimes.  Bravo Avic for comming here with an open enough mind to begin a debate that doesn't degenerate (too much) into name calling and crying.

It is very much a gray area with EA and the community right now, they allow paysites and even link to them on the exchange, but they also allow files from those sites to be shared on the exchange. Obviously while they have no problem stating that they own the content, they are leaving it up to the community to sort the whole issue out.

As for who legally owns the stuff, thats an easy answer. EA does, they could take every bit of custom content that any of us created, never pay us a dime, and put it all in the next EP. I sincerely hope they wouldn't do something like that, but they could. The rest of it gets fuzzy. Based on ethics, which side is right? Is it the pay sites that contend that because they made it, they have the right to charge for it? Or is it the filesharers who contend that because EA has said that the files themselves cannot be charged for, only bandwidth, distribution is kosher?

The thing is, paysite owners aren't stupid. They know filesharing has existed almost as long as paysites have. Though they didn't much like it, the consensus was pretty much to overlook it and not advertise it, as long as it stayed underground. When Pescado opened this site, the uproar began because this was all in the open, and anyone could come and get it, no secret handshakes necessary. They're afraid that no one will pay for their items if they can get them free.

It is something I could almost commiserate with, except for the fact that paysites have gotten out of hand. Instead of charging a modest fee to cover bandwidth, people are charging increasingly high prices for sometimes bad work in order to turn a profit. Sites are starting up for the express purpose of charging for content to make a profit. Others in this thread have mentioned the kind of tactics that some paysite owners use, deceptive photoshopping and that kind of thing.

Basically, what this site is about is taking a stand. We don't want paysites. The files hosted here are pretty much a means to an end for Pescado, he has already stated that he doesn't give a crap about the files, he's just hoping to damage paysites. Not all of us think that every site owner must shoulder the entire cost of the site themselves, but charging overinflated prices then claiming that the total of the proceeds go to bandwidth is an insultingly transparent lie.

Also, by the standards of paysite owners, if we are thieves, then they are as well,  to a worse degree. We may be sharing files for a game, but they are swapping personal information about customers. I know that to them, all is fair in protecting the almighty dollar, but this is an outrageously unethical low.

Anyway Avic, you are more than welcome here, whether you indulge in downloading the files hosted on the server or not. I wont even take a cheap shot at you with my knockoff prada purse.

Probably just a cover for rooting out the filesharers.

Beware of Rose Sims! It has recently been confirmed by Rose via email to a member on another forum that Rose shares the paypal account information of suspected 'thieves' with other sites. She has no real proof in the matter but will not hesitate to send out the information anyway.

Please be aware that donating to Rose may result in your personal information being distributed.

*edit* Not necessary. I are stupid!

A lot of them are whining that EA is violating their creator rights by ignoring the terms of use they drafted. Most creators blatantly do not believe that EA owns all CC created for the sims.

Precisely. SFV really has a special place in my heart, not only because of the fact that it was the first full scale forum I'd seen like it, but because the people there are just fantastic. I agree that the rules can seem somewhat overwhelming at first, but it is really simple once you get into the swing of things. Also, if you have any problems getting the hang of it, almost anyone over there would be willing to help you get settled in.

Yes, you do have to know what you want, and you are expected to repay by sharing what you recieve. The system works. Pescado is just old and has a long beard, and lacks in social graces.

If anything, the donation section over at SFV is like an archive service of older stuff for people who give a few bucks. You aren't getting anything special, you aren't even getting anything new. You get the new stuff way faster in the WL section than you ever would in the donation section alone, and anyone with more than three posts can have access to that.

But anyway, I concur with my esteemed colleagues. SFV is really the source of all this filesharing goodness, so like it or not, it deserves some consideration.

Yes, it was. It still doesn't change the fact that he is blatantly using sim monies for more than just bandwidth. He isn't even using it on his bills or to feed his face, his parents provide room and board. He's using it to buy things like used jockstraps and cigarettes. I don't think people would be too happy knowing that their 'donation' money is going to further this kind of lifestyle.

Like I said before, I personally don't give a shit about his sex life, what he does is his own thing. The Prostitution bit is a little bit err...illegal. Maybe it isn't technically our business, but hey, we're nosy.

And like Miss Motoki says, I ain't one to gossip, so you ain't heard it from me.

Some sites are pretty decent, and not everyone who has pay files on their sites are greedy assholes. Holy Simoly makes kick ass stuff, and the two donation packs that they have are full of really good stuff. My big beef isn't really with sites that offer a couple high quality donation sets, then have a whole lot of free stuff. When they do that, an arguement for the whole bandwidth thing is a bit more plausable, because they aren't really raking it in hand over fist off of tons of overpriced items.

Of course, I'd prefer that all sims content was free, but I'd rather concentrate on stopping the big pay sites than the guys with a couple of donation files. Just my two cents worth.

A-fucking-men. That is precisely what I've been trying to hammer into some of my fellow creator's heads. This is a game. I hate it when people get all uptight "OMG, Sims = serious business!"

THIS IS A GAME.

I was a bit afraid at one point of being ostracised from 'polite' sim society, but I let pescado pressure me into using my 'real' name here with the promise of a neato piraty title. Now that I have I realize that really, nothing has changed. Just about everyone I give a shit about knows exactly where I stand, and not one of them was shocked or distressed. I don't hang out at any of those fluffy bunny funbear sites Motoki mentioned, and they can kiss my ass anyway for being dipshits and banning members for things that have nothing to do with their sites.

When all is said and done, I'm pretty well pleased with my decision.

Of course we have more fun when we find out he's a whore. People love scandal. It wouldn't be nearly as fun if we found out he was a nice little altar boy. But then again, maybe it would be...

I agree. Sometimes it's interesting to know what these people are really like, not just the images they project to the community.

Maybe eau-de-sweaty-balls gets him off like being in a janator's closet standing ankle deep in cum watching gay porn

Okay, I think I just grossed myself out.

Same thing straight men use dirty panties for, I'd imagine.

And turning 18+? You did read those blogs, yes? Last time I checked, most of that was 18+I-don't-fucking-want-that-image-in-my-head.