How is reporting handled?
Hi, one of my models has been uploaded without attribution and as a remix of someone elses model (and looking at the file they have done no changes). I contacted the uploader but they have not responded (it's been several days) so I am going to file a report. Just wondering if the Printables team handle these sorts of things well or not.
The offending upload: https://www.printables.com/model/740746-shenron-the-dragon-god
My model exists on printables on my official account but they've taken it from Makerworld as it's an old version (the tailtip on the old version sucks): https://www.printables.com/model/671447-articulated-shenron-dragon-toy
https://makerworld.com/en/models/68307#profileId-72321
Best Answer by Diem:
Reporting works well on Printables as long as you supply enough proof, including links to originals and the associated licences - it usually takes two or three working days.
It's not a permanent fix though - the perpetrator is quite likely to try again with a new account and on other platforms, especially ones that allow tipping or selling of files.
You may also find them offered as 'free' sample print files by certain unscrupulous Chinese printer manufacturers (who's printers may also be violating open source licence conditions.)
Reverse image lookups are your best tool for finding them.
If possible put some tracking data in your file/design as many copiers are unable, or just don't bother, to edit them out; quite often they simply copy your publication 'photo's too.
And there are other copy fraudsters too. Last Sunday there was a local street fair, I noticed a stall selling 'artsy' objects including some 3D printed items, a few articulated dragons in a similar style to yours were on the stall along with a lot of vase-mode vases. So I examined a (badly printed) dragon that I recognised priced at £30.00 and asked about it. The seller explained that it was cheap because the surface was sub standard (obvious signs of damp filament and probably printed too fast but I didn't tell) and although they had temporarily sold out of good, full priced ones in that design they could take my address and mail me one...
I have now searched what I think was the original design and found the creative commons licence - non commercial, no derivatives - and half a dozen copies with differing licences, all 'original' designs too. The (true I think) originator doesn't respond to messages.
If you upload a file to anywhere on the internet you must accept that there will be unauthorised copies whatever you do - you can only police it so far.
Cheerio,
Reporting works well on Printables as long as you supply enough proof, including links to originals and the associated licences - it usually takes two or three working days.
It's not a permanent fix though - the perpetrator is quite likely to try again with a new account and on other platforms, especially ones that allow tipping or selling of files.
You may also find them offered as 'free' sample print files by certain unscrupulous Chinese printer manufacturers (who's printers may also be violating open source licence conditions.)
Reverse image lookups are your best tool for finding them.
If possible put some tracking data in your file/design as many copiers are unable, or just don't bother, to edit them out; quite often they simply copy your publication 'photo's too.
And there are other copy fraudsters too. Last Sunday there was a local street fair, I noticed a stall selling 'artsy' objects including some 3D printed items, a few articulated dragons in a similar style to yours were on the stall along with a lot of vase-mode vases. So I examined a (badly printed) dragon that I recognised priced at £30.00 and asked about it. The seller explained that it was cheap because the surface was sub standard (obvious signs of damp filament and probably printed too fast but I didn't tell) and although they had temporarily sold out of good, full priced ones in that design they could take my address and mail me one...
I have now searched what I think was the original design and found the creative commons licence - non commercial, no derivatives - and half a dozen copies with differing licences, all 'original' designs too. The (true I think) originator doesn't respond to messages.
If you upload a file to anywhere on the internet you must accept that there will be unauthorised copies whatever you do - you can only police it so far.
Cheerio,
RE: How is reporting handled?
thank you, i have had to deal with trade markets selling my stuff before too. Things get very awkward when both I and these types of folks have trade stalls at the same event. From now on, I will put my stuff behind a paywall and watermark my photographs.
The perpetrator didn't respond to my message so a report has been sent. I wouldn't normally bother reporting, I use to get my pictures stolen all the time on DeviantArt, but I make no sustainable income from my work and rely on people seeing the free items and finding my other services that way, so I have to protect what I can. The 500 downloads they got on it are a potential couple of people who might have commissioned me.
Thank you for your kind and prompt reply.
Things get very awkward when both I and these types of folks have trade stalls at the same event.
It depends where you are in the world - if it is a crime locally you call the police but in most cases it's a civil matter and it's rarely cost effective to sue - but you can ask the organisers to eject them from the event 'though you will need concrete proof that the designs are yours; including identifiers in the mesh helps.
Cheerio,