I have similar problem, some one is selling and distributing
my models without my permission.
I tried get those off, but it seems I have to provide written documented proof, which I do not have.
It is not like I can submit my model to government institution for copyright or something.

Unless the vender provides contact information, there is
no way to contact him directly. and TS wants documented
proof of copyright, which is a non-sense for hobbist like me.

Since I do not make big money off the model to begin with,
It make no sense to hire expensive lawyer for nickle and
dime operation.

or should I name names here?

Turbo Squid does care a good deal about copyrights -- it is the basis of our whole business. I don't handle this issue, but as I understand it the "written proof" is more or less the statement that you own the copyrights and these are your models. You don't have to have put the models in escrow to prove your case in order to have them removed. If you are confused by the requirements (and I admit they can be very legalistic), please write in to agent@turbosquid.com and we will work with you.

To give some clarity, what is difficult for us is when when somebody, but not the owner of the copyrights or the suspected infringer, reports a problem. They say "Hey, this person X on Turbo Squid is selling the models from website Y. Take them down." We need some more concrete info, and we try to work with that person to get it. Please keep in mind that these claims have been erroneously made several times in the past through a simple misunderstanding in good faith when the models just looked like each other.

In this case, we have been in contact with the author and the vendor on TS and the models have been taken down.

Matt
--
Matt Wisdom
CTO
Turbo Squid

I agree he/she who sells stolen models must be prosecuted by law to the fullest. It is a crime and damages the creator both economically and spiritually.

Even selling models created with a non commercially licensed software (such as an education version or at universities) is illegal. By the way, does TS do a background check to see if a vendor has a commercially licensed software? TS can use the written proof against illegal vendors selling assets. I think this needs to be enforced if it hasn't already been practiced. This is all part of the legallities of selling 3D assets.

Dennis

Fuzzy Modem
mind teaching me how to waterwork my asset?

these ppl are f**kers and stupid assholes. i mean those ppl.

A system where TS contacts the licensing department of software vendors such as alias wavefront, and others needs to be established. This way TS can ask wether the name of the asset vendor in TS has a propper license to use the software. I bet there are more than just one illegal asset vendor out there (using software illegally to sell models).

That way a legal action against these illegal vendors can be enforced, either by banning them from selling at TS, or informing the proper authority to take them to court. "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime". Well at least now we know one of them.

There seem to be two issues here:

1) Using pirated software to create models. This is a complicated issue and one that TS can't solve. In any case, imagine if somebody used a stolen guitar to write a song? Would the song itself be "illegal"? For the 3D artist, there's a legal issue for stealing the software, and an ethical one for competing unfairly, but the ownership of the copyrights in the created asset still goes to the artist, as far as I know.

2) People distributing stolen models. This is the notion of "Digital Rights Management" or DRM. Although we do have software in place to help detect infringers within Turbo Squid, there are larger issues about trying to make a "watermark" stick that aren't resolved yet. The best method of security at the present time is to restrict access to files.

Matt
--
Matt Wisdom
CTO
Turbo Squid

i understand but we must know that there are 3d user who just cant afford to pay the costly price of a 3d software.

on the subject of model theft and illegal resale...

THe only way somebody can have multiple copy's of an existing model, for sale on another site (pretending that the model(s) are his/hers) is if he/she bought it here or on some other model selling site and repackaged and sold it elseware - or even as of late, right here!

Why does everybody hammer so repeatedly on PIRACY, when piracy has nothing to do with blatant model theft.

IF every "illegal Software" vendor were banned from TS that would not decrease the percentage of model theft, in fact the removal of these "ILLEGALLY made models" would decrease the buffer and lay more of your models bare and open to the theves.

Instead of persuing VENDORS which in MY opinion (dont worry i know most people could care less about it) provide a service to this industry with their (sometimes) quality models and designs, why not persue the LEGALITY of the guy that PAYS you and me & TS our PAY?

WHy not thoroughly check up on the customers LICENSES and deny him/her to buy models unless they PROVE they have LEGAL software, i mean what the hell could somebody with No 3D software possibly want with a $300 model? - i smell a fish and it aint fresh!

I like what you said about the guitar & song MATT, in south africa we have quite a few people that hook up illegal power connections for motor repair workshops.

Should the guy that had his car serviced there have his new parts reposessed without compensation or possibly even be charged simply because the workshop foreman was siphoning power for their power tools illegally?

I think that also asks whether FAIR and LEGAL customers should be denied of the chance to purchase models simply cause the vendor has a little secret he wants nobody to know of?

To fix this problem of model theft means we gotta (all of us) stop pissing in the wrong corner, for the wrong reasons and get off our behinds and look objectively and realistically at what happens and why it happens - and get ready to chew on some rocks cause what affects one of us, affects us all in a way, this 3D community is divided, and unless we work together how can we protect one anothers investments, how can we respect one anothers freedom as CREATORS if we keep pointing fingers for quick BLAME GAMES and deny that we all have part in this industry and its flaws?

I personally avoid creating models that already exist on TS, i respect other vendors and their work and unless it is of very poor quality i dont feel i should improve on their work and steal the limelight, i grant each and everyone their space and i would never steal another artists models and sell it as my own, i dont know why people can't just take a few hours and make a model themselves, its not that hard. Piracy is "bad" but it's at least the lesser of the two evils, but why is it always mentioned when these kinds of threads surface? It has NOTHING to do with why some JOE buys your models and sells it again on site XXX, without your permission or knowledge.

I think in all honestly that the people in who's hands these models end up in should be the ones to be "thoroughly" CHECKED, for they present the biggest threat to this industry.

I am glad to see so many vendors here watch out for other peoples models and alert them or bring the crime to light when they see it, it's nice to know there is a sense of brotherhood between some artists here, sadly we cant see the REAL problem as because it's our source of income and we want to protect that income (sometimes at ANY price - even denial), and it's sad in a way that one BAD continually gets brought up as the rock in the gears when it causes problems of a different sort, elseware.

for those thinking of stealing models cause the software is too expensive and or the penalties too harsh if you get caught, go HERE! its free, its legal and its powerful, plus it exports to MANY commercial formats EASILY and FAST.

www.blender3d.org

SUPPORT open-source software, it helps choke the empire -MICRO$OFT- and thats good in my book :-)

Why would the customer need to provide a copy of a program? What if they bought a model in a Maya for XSI format but they use 3dsmax instead (they just use model converters for mulit-platform use). That just doesn't make any sense...

Yes MancuZ28 thats a marvelous idea! please do report that to Turbo Squid ASAP

Then TS will hopefully take the necisary actions and remove your model from this site.

See what you are doing is pretty sneaky, so sneaky that some may miss it - you are using TS free of charge for ADVETISING somebody elses business or website, you upload your models here USUALLY at a fairly steep price and in the description or the forum (like now) you report that it is availible for cheaper or free elseware.

See turbosquid gets THOUSANDS of visitors each day, pretty nice score if you can pull it off, so yess please, do report that OR I WILL!

Stop hijacking TS customers and visitors off to some other site, and besides by GIVING that model away, you show all of us that your software cost you about the monthly fee of your service providor, so why should you be worried about paying off the software and still making a profit?

if you are doing this just as some joke, well... ignor the above, but the above DOES happen quite often Here.

cheers!