| Forums > General > "thecopycat" (25 replies)
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Everyone take a look at thecopycat's skins: http://www.blogskins.com/me.php?userid=216302
The idea, I guess, is this: Take other people's skins and "remix" them. The problem is that the contribute page says this:
"Also, "remixes" or skins based on the designs of other skins with only a few elements changed are not allowed without the original author's permission."
It does not appear as though thecopycat has gotten the original authors' permission, though he/she claims to credit the original authors. So what should we do? Delete all the skins? Delete all the skins and disable the account?
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Maybe just delete the skins but not disable the account? It doesn't sound like cc intentionally set out to break the rules and cause harm or whatever; as you point out s/he seems to be conscientious about stating in the descriptions who the original designer was and what the title of the original skin was. Could very well simply be a case of neglecting to read the fine print (and it is indeed *fine* print, haha).
Maybe issue some formal sort of warning (although I'm sure this thread is more than enough warning already) and if it happens again, then the account gets disabled? That way you'd be enforcing the rules without being a total hardass about it (pardon my french).
And then, if cc is later able to procure and subsequently present proof of permission from any of the original designers, then s/he should feel free to resubmit these 'remixes' since that scenario seems to be in line with the rules.
Just my two cents. =)
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mela, that was more like 20 cents 
I appreciate your thoughts, but I'm going to leave this topic open for a few more days before I take any action.
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Haha, yeah. =p You should hear me in real life, I'm even worse. 'blah blah blah blah blah blah... ' =D
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thecpoycat?haha---well,although its wrong to copy stuff,at least he admits it right?and i'll feel kinda flattered if he copied my skin.leaving the credits too of course.
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Actually, since thecopycat acknowledges the original creators of the skin and openly announces that she copies the skins, i don't think that the skins should be deleted.
Furthmore, it's another form of constructive critisism, much better that than some insensitive members who just insult a skin saying it looks like crap etc. and i totally agree with gmail, copying IS after all a form of flattery!!
although it seems that thecopycat is being lambasted by other members! Guess nobody can take rip offs!
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Copying is a form of flattery, but I guess that thecopycat should ask permission before he "rips" their skins.
It isn't really fair to steal ideas like that, is it?
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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While it's true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I can state with certainty that not everyone is keen on the idea of having their work and efforts get chopped up and then pasted back together.
The following is not meant as a comment on copycat's work, but I know that there are some designers out there who specifically state that alterations of their layouts is NOT permitted. Why do they stipulate this? Because they don't want to deal with tbe possibility of seeing all their hard work get 're-interpreted' into some hacked up, ugly layout, and they certainly don't want to be associated with or given credit for the resulting 'new' layout that they may feel is inferior.
But no matter how you cut it, the fact is that a rule was circumvented in this case, intentionally or otherwise. The rule in question states that remixed skins are not allowed unless permission is granted by the original designer prior to posting. How's about showing a little respect for that rule, as well as for the original designers, and disable the skins? It's not like it'd be all that difficult for copycat to re-post these remixed skins once s/he can provide proof of permission.
Seriously... what's the point of having rules if they aren't going to be enforced? I understand that this is your site, Myles, and it's therefore your prerogative to do whatever you want with it and run it however you feel like, but that kind of inconsistency would be a little annoying and somewhat alienating. Or at least, that's how I'd perceive it.
Hoo boy, looks like I'm about to reach a whole dollar, heh.
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Author: fs
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Mela: Since making blogskins is a non-profit thing, a person modifying it with or without the author's permission brings no harm. The person's just gets credits he or she who does not deserve it.
Yes, i agree that stealing skins is bad as you rip off the author's hardwork. Since it is non-profit in the making, i guess the author has nothing to lose. And at least the person admits that the skins are copied. I am not siding with the copycat. I hate copycats.
But look deeper. The copycat may think that the skin is "not so nice" and modifys it. It will not be a problem if a person rips your skin and acknowledges it, whether a not the author agrees or disagrees it, cause is non-profit. I have found lots of people modifying my skin but acknowledges it.
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Excuse me? What does profit and non-profit skinning even have to do with this discussion?? Let's look again (for what must be the umpteenth time) at what the rule (yes, RULE, as in something that you are required to abide by in order to avoid certain consequences) says:
'Also, "remixes" or skins based on the designs of other skins with only a few elements changed are not allowed without the original author's permission.'
Seriously... the moment that little rule is deleted from BlogSkins.com, I'll shut up. Fo' reelz, I promise, because that rule is at the heart of what I'm saying.
And you totally missed the point of what I'd written in my previous post -- some designers actually DO feel like they've got something to lose when their skin is 'ripped', as you put it. I'm not going to repeat myself, so you can scroll back up to re-read.
I personally have no problem with people using my skins and making modifications to suit their own needs; I've stated this on my own site and in my profile at this site. In fact, I have fun looking at their blogs and seeing their different ideas... it's kind of a learning process and it helps me get even more new ideas for possible future designs and whatnot.
But how I feel isn't how every other contributor feels, and I'd be foolish to expect that sort of unanimity on the matter. I don't think I'm too far off the mark when I say that I think that's one of the reasons why this rule was put there in the first place -- it's out of respect (not to mention common sense and courtesy) for those who wish to 'protect' their work for whatever various reasons.
Yes, THEIR work. They may be providing it for free, but it's their work and they can still make other stipulations on how it's used.
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Author: fs
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Mela: I am NOT siding with the copy-cats. And profit and non-profit makes a hell lot of difference.
Who in the world would care if i make some adjustments to a designer's blogskin which he or she is giving it out as a freebie? Myles can go ahead to delete the copycat's skins, as the person has breaked the rules HERE.
QUOTE mela wrote:'Also, "remixes" or skins based on the designs of other skins with only a few elements changed are not allowed without the original author's permission.'end
Please, if you are distrubiting your work for free or non-profit usetage, you should be prepared that your work would be modified by users. If you feel that there is indeed something to lose, stop doing blogskins. A simple way out. I can tell you that it is ALMOST impossible to stop copycats. Once your source code is out for free, internet users are able to access it and change it with the freedom of what they want to. Specifically saying, there is a limit to what you can do to protect your skins.
Yes, its their work, but its providing it for free. The suitation will and WOULD be DIFFERENT if someone is selling its work in prints and someone ripped it.
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i really do hate copy cats.
however, this copycat has been totally honest about copying other people skins. maybe we should get copycat to ASK FIRST.
it will only be a big matter if, like fs said, "someone is selling its work in prints and someone ripped it. "
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Okay fs, let's go over your points one-by-one.
-- Mela: I am NOT siding with the copy-cats.
1) I never once said that you are 'siding with copycats'. What I AM saying is that the fact that you don't mind if people modify the crap out of your designs has no bearing on the discussion at hand.
-- And profit and non-profit makes a hell lot of difference.
2) Whether these skins are profit or non-profit has no bearing on the discussion HERE. Once again, and please try to stay focused.... we are talking about a rule here at blogskins.com being enforced.
-- Who in the world would care if i make some adjustments to a designer's blogskin which he or she is giving it out as a freebie?
3) Jeez, I dunno... maybe the designer??
-- Myles can go ahead to delete the copycat's skins, as the person has breaked the rules HERE.
4) Finally! Someone else who makes sense, too!
-- Please, if you are distrubiting your work for free or non-profit usetage, you should be prepared that your work would be modified by users. If you feel that there is indeed something to lose, stop doing blogskins. A simple way out.
5) Like, omigawd! Wow, I'm sure you're the only person to have come to that realization. {Yes, I'm being sarcastic, too.)
-- I can tell you that it is ALMOST impossible to stop copycats. Once your source code is out for free, internet users are able to access it and change it with the freedom of what they want to.
6) Yes, I know it is virtually impossible to stop copycats. Seriously, EVERYONE knows that, but thanks anyway for pointing out the obvious. And... whoa, here we go again... we are talking about a specific case here at blogskins.com, and how to deal with it. I am of the mind that rules exist to be enforced, not bent every which way because of extraneous variables such as those which you are bringing up.
-- Specifically saying, there is a limit to what you can do to protect your skins.
7) Bingo! Yes, there is a limit... and submitting your skin to a site (namely, blogskins.com) that specifically says 'NO REMIXES ALLOWED' (to paraphrase) is certainly a reasonable attempt to protect your code within that limit. Which, once again, is why this thread was started in the first place.
-- Yes, its their work, but its providing it for free. The suitation will and WOULD be DIFFERENT if someone is selling its work in prints and someone ripped it.
8) Yes, the code is being provided for free... for people to use on their blogs. Hmm, let me take a look around... no, I can't find anything anywhere that says, 'Welcome to blogskins.com, feel free to take other people's code, remix them, and then post them here'. Oh, but I just remembered... I don't care whether the code is provided free, if it costs a dollar, if it costs twenty grand, or whatever other amount -- I'm not here to talk about that. What I am here to talk about is the fact is someone broke a rule here, and we are being asked how it should be enforced.
And now, just for the sake of argument. I strongly disagree with your sentiment regarding profit versus non-profit. Yes, I agree with you wholehearedly and 1,000% that a designer simply can't police each and every person that downloads the code, that would be impossible (not to mention downright masochistic). But just because a skin is being offered up for no monetary profit, that doesn't automatically negate any of the implicit conditions that were placed upon how the code is to be used.
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Author: fs
Posted: 3.4 years ago
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Mela: I am not here to argue with you.
Read this on the submit page
Notes: Please remember that this is a community site and is open to all. Accordingly, please refrain from designing skins with pornographic or otherwise offensive content or images -- they will be deleted. Also, "remixes" or skins based on the designs of other skins with only a few elements changed are not allowed without the original author's permission.
Also, by offering your skin available for download on BlogSkins.com, you acknowledge that while you maintain your copyright over your designs, you will not hold BlogSkins.com responsible for any possible "theft" of your designs.
end
It is ALMOST impossible to stop theft on your skins or code.
Here at blogskins.com i feel that the "Laws" are not being stated well enough and being enforced
There is NO clear link to "site policy" or even ensure that nobody here steals skins and removing the person's work
There should be a site policy to prevent this and a policy violations team should be implaced to prevent futher repeat of this.
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I don't think thecopycat's layouts should be taken done if thecopycat credits the orignal designer, and perhaps writes modified by thecopycat?
Because I'm sure you have seen many layouts with a lot of potential, but the picture's pixelated or doesn't match the layout. Or perhaps you have good ideas on how to modify it. So what you can do is tell the designer, but what if the designer thinks it's too much work, if you are willing to modify it, what can you do after that? Submit it to the orignal designer so that the orginal designer gets the credit still, although it was partly you idea?
I think thecopycat is doing it out in the open, many of these 'socalled' layout designers used ripped codes to form their own layout, and I know it stinks to see someone passing your codes off as theirs, I've experienced it before. But if only the person had credited me, I wouldn't have minded. Why not? My layout and me get extra publicity.
Also, the layouts put up here on BlogSkins are modifi-able to suit the blogger. So if the designer doesn't mind that, why not do what thecopycat is doing?
While I agree with Mela here: The following is not meant as a comment on copycat's work, but I know that there are some designers out there who specifically state that alterations of their layouts is NOT permitted. Why do they stipulate this? Because they don't want to deal with tbe possibility of seeing all their hard work get 're-interpreted' into some hacked up, ugly layout, and they certainly don't want to be associated with or given credit for the resulting 'new' layout that they may feel is inferior., there's still the possibility that the blogger who used the skin might 'mess up' the layout, so, designers have to be prepared for that.
Wow, that was long. Sorry if you can't follow my reply. (:
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i dont think we should do anything . at least he gives credits to the original author . it's just like us using a skin with credits given in the links section .
this is just my two cents .
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marshmallow thats lame 
we can leave him alone.
maybe ban people from downloading his/her skins? 
then maebe he'll stop copying,after all,who wants to submit skins nobody will download.
just a simple suggestion
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i think that we should let him/her get permission from the people who made the original skins and if he/she can't then delete them...
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I have no qualms about borrowing other peoples codes as long as you learn from them but i think what copycat is doing is rather unethical. Why should cc get the downloads? Sure, cc did give credit to the original author, but cc still gets the downloads, not the author.
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could you contact her/him about the problem!? or can't you!?
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First of all, if it's against the site's rules, it's against the site's rules. If it's wrong, it's wrong.
Secondly, the suggestions were good. I'd say if you want to 'rip' someone else's work, keep their copyright('original designer: soandso, modified by soandso' kinda thing).
But ripping without obtaining permission from the original designer? That's a no-no! I would never want anyone who steals my stuff, modifies it a little, and calls it their own.
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.2 years ago
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What gives? This thread is almost three months old and nothing has happened. Unless the non-action itself is the answer to my question?
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:O
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Mela and fs are really biting each other's heads off... Since you both think that ripping off skins isn't appropriate then maybe... you shouldn't fight?
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I don't agree with the way llroots has posted his/her reply, it's not right to call them "stupid" with "no originality" because, obviously, not all of the copycats copy the whole layout and paste the codes down, soem of them actually genuinely do not know how to make a layout but perhaps they have some burning idea of a layout. So they're creative. And it totally does not mean they are stupid.
Meh, has anything happened?
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Author: mela
Posted: 3.2 years ago
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drogue, last time I checked, forums can be used for debating/arguing one's point, and if you were to follow our discussion you'd realize that it was going off on some tangents and was going beyond just 'ripping off skins'.
And if you think the above exchange can be construed as 'biting each other's heads off', then... hell, there really isn't much else I can say other than that I have to disagree with your assessment.
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