For example:
You all create extraordinary Sims, and I want to have a go; if I like what turns out in CAS, I want to upload that Sim to my website for download. (Talking about me.....lol)

Another example:
Someone create's a Sims 3 horse, photographs it, and Photoshop's the picture's, then posts them as downloads. Someone see's this, uses the same exact idea, and posts theirs as downloads. (Not talking about me..lol)

I always always always ask this question to those who inspire to try something new, and to give their idea a go for myself. I do not want to offend, upset, or frustrate anyone; it's not nice; I've had it happen to me.

What do you think about copy-catters? What is your opinion on those who steal? This is quite a broad subject I know, however I am eager to understand all side's, and create some awesome feedback perhaps:)

I'd like to ask clarifications first. When you said "uses the same exact idea", are you talking about the horse's design or the photoshopping?

A LOT of creators have left the community because of copy cats. I myself don't give a flying woot what people do, but I can understand why people hate it, people want to be unique.

I agree with that. But my copy-cat, do you mean like stealing an idea and claiming it as your own?

But if not, copy-cats are just something your probably always going to have to deal with.. Most of the time they mean no harm, but they do want to be sorta like you, and will try to be like you in as many ways as you can. And a lot of times it can be disheartening to see that someone copied you, but try not to take it too personally, because as I said, they might not mean harm. ;)

Mura wrote:

I'd like to ask clarifications first. When you said "uses the same exact idea", are you talking about the horse's design or the photoshopping?

Both actually; Someone stealing and/or coincidentally using the same horse pattern and claiming it as their own. Someone using the same technique in picture design when they advertise their horse for download.

Hope that clears things up a bit:)

DauphineMarie wrote:

I agree with that. But my copy-cat, do you mean like stealing an idea and claiming it as your own?

But if not, copy-cats are just something your probably always going to have to deal with.. Most of the time they mean no harm, but they do want to be sorta like you, and will try to be like you in as many ways as you can. And a lot of times it can be disheartening to see that someone copied you, but try not to take it too personally, because as I said, they might not mean harm. ;)

Yes I mean stealing your idea and claiming it as their own

And yes some people do not mean any harm, which is nice, however there are some who copy on purpose for whatever reason.

Like I said, this is a broad subject, however I am truly curious to know what you all think, and feel about it. Why? Because for one like I said I want to try my hand at making a Sim, and if I like what turns out in CAS, I would want to upload that Sim to my website for download. If that bothers some and/or most of you, I will not make the attempt:)

Another reason is just to know where you all stand with such things. It is always a pleasure to understand and to know other's thoughts, feelings, opinions, and belief's on such subjects:)

Well I wouldn't appreciate someone taking something of mine without credit. For me that is the only problem I would have. I think the community could thrive if all creators shared but we all know that sometimes leads to stealing.

I personally do not go along with someone taking your creation and uploading it as is as their own. But if someone wants to take one of my sims and modify him/her to look completely different but is using them as a base...that is fine with me. As far as lipstick and such of some copying Lemon Leaf...when you are that good people are going to try to do similar to what yours is. I had that often when i did sims 2 hairs...i now see even peggy took some of my idea and edits for sims 2 hairs and made them into sims 3 hairs of her own. So a good idea is just that...a good idea and if its good enough someone is gonna take your idea and modify it. That to me is just a compliment on how well you really did.

Whoah... Sorry for being a n00b, but Dachs, you did Sims 2 hairs?!? O__O

Who were you?

I think it's safe to assume that it's hardly possible to find anything very original anymore, especially with the expansion of Internet. To be "completely unique" (emphasis on "completely") could be considered, in some ways, very egocentric. Still, because "individuality" seems to also expand a lot, there's this conflict between uniqueness and the impossibility of being absolutely original.

That being said, I think it's all about the application. For instance, like Dach said, if someone use my sim as a base to create an original sim, even if they may have kept some features, I'm fine with that. Giving a little credit would be appreciated though. However, if someone clearly steals someone else's work, such as a clothing mesh, alter it only a few bit and then release it as if it's their own work without even giving credits, even though it's clear that it's taken from that someone else, well....

This goes overboard for me when those people want to get money out of it, especially in the Sims community. I don't mind appropriation in art, but like I said, it's in the application: if the appropriation is done in a way only to profit from it and not to show a different/alternative view of it, it's a big low blow.

So, if I take your example with the horse. It's clear that there's a high probability someone else, in this Earth, that might have gotten the same idea as you, even before they've seen it. If you and they acknowledge that, there shouldn't be much of a problem.

I could keep on going but I think I made my point. Sometimes it can be pretty ambiguous, and it is why I don't think we should look at every situations strictly with general view, but rather individually in order to comprehend what we deal with, what values should and shouldn't be apply as heavily, etc.

DauphineMarie wrote:

Whoah... Sorry for being a n00b, but Dachs, you did Sims 2 hairs?!? O__O

Who were you?

http://simscave.mustbedestroyed.org/index.php?board=117.0

This is me..(See link to cave above).i did many many hairs....this is an edit i did of nouks hairs:

This is a GOS edit i did...i of course got permission to edit....

I never got permission from peggy could care less about getting it from her...

I edited this peggy hair to add bangs and got my friend Danny to help me make this for males as well..


I was shadysims then i just became dachs...I also had permission from Nouk to do whatever i pleased with any of her hairs....So many didn't have that permission. Only permission to recolor is all.

I agree with Mura. I'm not a creator, so it's not like I've experienced it firsthand, but I think the subject has so many different layers. First of all, what's the actual intention? Your intention in uploading an edited sim is not to steal from the person who created the original, nor are you wanting to claim that you created the original. On almost all the sites I've been to for cc, the creators regularly give credit to other items that may be shown on their uploads. (example- a hair upload: there's a pic of a sim with the hair that was created, but underneath there's always credit for any other cc that's shown, like clothes and accessories and makeup, etc.)

If someone has a malicious intent, then I'd say it's a different story. No, it may never be able to be avoided, but I can surely understand why someone would be extremely offended...especially if the person stealing the content is making money for it!

Just my two cents...and it seems to be the consensus.

dachshundsr4me wrote:

DauphineMarie wrote:

Whoah... Sorry for being a n00b, but Dachs, you did Sims 2 hairs?!? O__O

Who were you?

http://simscave.mustbedestroyed.org/index.php?board=117.0

This is me..(See link to cave above).i did many many hairs....this is an edit i did of nouks hairs:

This is a GOS edit i did...i of course got permission to edit....

I never got permission from peggy could care less about getting it from her...

I edited this peggy hair to add bangs and got my friend Danny to help me make this for males as well..


I was shadysims then i just became dachs...I also had permission from Nouk to do whatever i pleased with any of her hairs....So many didn't have that permission. Only permission to recolor is all.

OMG! Sorry for Caps, however I have a ton of your stuff! Cool! lol.....but not cool what happened to you; that is so terrible because you are so talented:)

alygator wrote:

I agree with Mura. I'm not a creator, so it's not like I've experienced it firsthand, but I think the subject has so many different layers. First of all, what's the actual intention? Your intention in uploading an edited sim is not to steal from the person who created the original, nor are you wanting to claim that you created the original. On almost all the sites I've been to for cc, the creators regularly give credit to other items that may be shown on their uploads. (example- a hair upload: there's a pic of a sim with the hair that was created, but underneath there's always credit for any other cc that's shown, like clothes and accessories and makeup, etc.)

If someone has a malicious intent, then I'd say it's a different story. No, it may never be able to be avoided, but I can surely understand why someone would be extremely offended...especially if the person stealing the content is making money for it!

Just my two cents...and it seems to be the consensus.

My intention is to a simply use the same idea as the ladies on this site; To Create-A-Sim, and if he/she turns out well, I would like to post that Sim as a download on my website. I know a ton of Simmers do this every single day, so why am I asking right? Simply because I want to express to you all how much I do not want to offend and/or upset anyone here if I do this:) And if it does cause concern among anyone here, then I simply will not do it:) Plain and simple:)

I was also curious what you all thought about stealing, copy-catting(either purposely and/or accidentally) and such. I am learning a lot from all of you, and I thank you:)

I don't like people copying stuff in general, as it doesn't "add" anything as it's already done before and it's not original, nor very creative. If people in addition copy stuff and don't credit the original creator, I always get upset over it.
I've always asked simmers not to copy my stuff, or re-upload, or claim my creations as "their own" and not giving credit to me and most of the time, simmers honor that request, which is great
Still sometimes simmers won't honor my request, which I obviously don't like and I get upset. I always ask (if possible) to rectify the situation, when it happens.
I won't stop sharing my creations though, because of a couple of copycats ;)

Well my opinion most of the older members here know, and that's I simply do not tolerate copy-catters. I'm all about originality of your own creativity. I've had things copied from me, this site for one at one time, and a few sims. I guess since I know how hard I work on each and everything single thing I create it totally upsets me to see that just so blatantly stolen. If I see an item that I know for a fact to be a copy of another artist, I don't get or nor anything else from that artist, I only support the original. I know of many creator's that have had their work stolen and I can understand their anger and pain.

Now as for posting a creation on your blog that someone else made. I'd say, if you are not sure if that creator is fine with it just simply 'ask' them.

Example: My sims, I know that say, Sims updates will post my Sims but they always link it back here to me and also take no credit for the sim, they always credit me. I know they post many many many creators works and never have I heard of them being dishonest and claiming anything as their own.

Mysims3 blog, Joe always give credit to the original creator!
Social Sims is the same way, they may look outside of their forum for talent, but they always give full credit to the original as well as a link back to the original creator.

I have NO problem with someone posting my creations on their blogs and forums, just LINK it back to me and give full credit. I think if someone does this and is not sure if I'd mind, just ask. If I see a Sim of mine on another forum or blog that I don't want them to post my creations, I will simply just ask them to remove my creation and ask them to not post any future creations of mine. This can all be handled politely and calmly.
;)

I saw one instance where a site was HOSTING CC and replacing file names... that was ridiculous, claiming it as their own, especially since they didn't alter the images, so the images said for example: "Retexture by Lotus" or something lol

All of my sims come from the ugliest sim in the sim bin that was provided by EA and i make them over....that is my challenge to myself...believe it or not my new Annabelle was the Indian with the braid looking one lol....The uglier the sim the more i like making them over. =)

it so funny how awful the premade sim are in the cas bin eh. i tryed a baby sim in the cas and aged it to adult , wow. it was freaky looking yike, kind of looked like it was on back crack for years and years .