Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
Today my model IKEA 365+ IPA Tank Strainer was remixed and republished on Printables under the name IKEA 365+ IPA Tank Strainer no logo, where the only change from the original was that my little logo "A51" was removed.
Is it a remix or a copy?
I got the credit as remix, but mostly think it's more of a copy and should be removed.
Does anyone have experience with this situation and what is the best way to handle it?
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
Open the model page, click the three dots, select report and then select Copyright Strike from the dropdown. Provide a link to your original and a copy of the licence details indicating the violation. I presume you didn't allow Sharing without attribution or Meets open definition...
Cheerio,
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
I allow remix for the model and got an attribution for the remix, but the changes to the remixed model is only removing my A51 logo, not any functional changes.
I know about the report (...) function and that is properly the right action in this case - but is this a common problem on Printables and what do other content creators do in similar situations?
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
It's a common problem on all 3d printing sites - especially those where there is some sort of reward or fee obtainable. Here we have seen a significant increase since the regular competitions started; a significant proportion of the entries are simply copied from other sites/users and claimed as original work.
Is it a new song if you just change the name of the lady you're singing about? Of course not.
A remix implies a change of function, style or other significant design feature, not a rebadging.
Cheeri,
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
You licensed it under CC-NC-SA-4.0. Their listing mentions that it came from you as required by the license. No indication that it is being used commercially that I saw. The description, though rather minimal, says what was changed. They also kept the same license as required.
Maybe there is some printables.com rule that I am missing, but I don't see a problem license-wise (but I am not a lawyer).
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
As Diem points out, the reward system is the cause of this kind of nonsense designing remixes.
It therefore seems that removing a logo or text from a well-established design has the sole purpose of wanting to get a reward quickly.
Simply stopping rewards can result in only functional remixes being posted.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
Simply stopping rewards can result in only functional remixes being posted.
... and will likely result in less extraordinary, elaborate, and well tested designs.
Although I agree on this point: the requirements for a valid remix should be higher. Or you can rule out remixes right away.
RE:
It probably is worth reporting. When you upload a Remix it says a "I am uploading a significant modification" I would argue removing a logo is not a significant modification.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
I have a model where the only change I made to the original was to remove some "artwork" that I didn't want on it. I uploaded it in the "reupload" category which is intended for minor changes like this, mainly because I assumed there had to be others who didn't want the artwork on theirs, either. In that category, even if a bunch of people were to download it, I receive exactly zero Prusameters because fundamentally the model isn't my work other than the very minor, cosmetic change I made to it.
I would say report it. They may not do anything about it, but if they do, the other user can always repost it in the correct reupload category so they do not unfairly receive a benefit from your work.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
It is really a borderline case, I understand both sides here.
Mk3s MMU2s, Voron 0.1, Voron 2.4
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
Report it. There is no problem if somebody removes the logo on their personal prints - but there's also no valid reason for uploading such a modification to Printables.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
I believe that people should be allowed to remix your models and post them on Printables, but only if there are significant changes to the original model. Your case would be questionable in my honest opinion and I also don't believe remixed models should be collecting Prusameters either. It's too easy to be gamified by unscrupulous people making some minor cosmetic changes to your model and then profiting off your work.
Thankfully I haven't come across this being a major issue on Printables (yet) but I have been notified and made aware that MakerWorld is full of thief's. I have seen cretins over there stealing people's work, including mine, with no changes to the model, no attribution, and in my case, and maybe even others, using my photos and the description word for word. In other words, they have basically gone shopping on Printables, found something they like and copy pasted everything and posted to MakerWorld and claimed the model as their own creation. Straight up stealing?
MakerWorld requires you to create an account with them if you want to dispute the origins of a model and I don't feel comfortable handing over my personal details to a Chineses company that harbours and encourages thievery and not to mention the possibility of being infected with spyware.
RE:
Not giving out prusameters to remixes or giving the prusameters from the remix to the original creator would be a good idea, it might stop people from this practice. I personally don't like or get why people game the system just to get a few free spools or eventually a printer, their time would be better spent getting an extra part time job for a few weeks to save up the $700 🤣
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
If this is any example; anything is possible.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
In my opinion, remixes that solely aim to remove a logo or branding from a model are not genuine remixes, but rather simple copies that show a lack of respect for the original designer and the work put into the original model.
On the other hand, remixes that add new originality, or combine models in an innovative way, are true remixes. This kind of creativity benefits everyone, and it's only fair that it's rewarded with Prusameters. This behavior is worth encouraging because it serves the community, including the original designer.
However, it's not entirely black and white; remixes can certainly be beneficial for everyone, but they can also be misused for personal gain. In the former case, rewarding with Prusameters is entirely appropriate, but in the latter case, it is not.
I believe the team behind Printables is aware of this issue, as they now require users to describe the changes made to a remix when uploading. This measure helps to ensure that only genuine remixes, which add value to the original design, are rewarded with Prusameters.
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
In my opinion, remixes that solely aim to remove a logo or branding from a model are not genuine remixes, but rather simple copies that show a lack of respect for the original designer and the work put into the original model.
Yeah, removing a logo/signature/etc is no different from replacing it with your own. Regardless of whether the license requires it or even whether the original creator cares about what other people do with the model, it's a dishonest attempt to take credit that one isn't owed. If the license allows it, it may technically be legal, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be against the site rules.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
In my opinion, remixes that solely aim to remove a logo or branding from a model are not genuine remixes, but rather simple copies that show a lack of respect for the original designer and the work put into the original model.
Yeah, removing a logo/signature/etc is no different from replacing it with your own. Regardless of whether the license requires it or even whether the original creator cares about what other people do with the model, it's a dishonest attempt to take credit that one isn't owed. If the license allows it, it may technically be legal, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be against the site rules.
I disagree somewhat. In the case of the one I modified, the extraneous feature was not a logo or a signature, but rather a statement being made by the authors of the part. Even though I didn't really disagree with the sentiment behind the statement, I simply didn't want that on my part. I guess I could have then kept that to myself, but I uploaded my modified copy because I figured some others would feel the same (so far, just 20 of them). But again if somebody is going to do something like this, they should upload it as a "reupload" and not as a remix. That way no matter how many downloads it gets, the reuploader will accrue zero prusameters.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
Considering how that site came about in the first place, it's not really surprising that there is thievery among thieves. I wouldn't expect to get much result from complaining to the site admins, since Makerworld themselves have been caught stealing models of popular designers and "setting up" profiles for them without first asking for permission or even whether they would be interested in joining the site.
I believe that people should be allowed to remix your models and post them on Printables, but only if there are significant changes to the original model. Your case would be questionable in my honest opinion and I also don't believe remixed models should be collecting Prusameters either. It's too easy to be gamified by unscrupulous people making some minor cosmetic changes to your model and then profiting off your work.
Thankfully I haven't come across this being a major issue on Printables (yet) but I have been notified and made aware that MakerWorld is full of thief's. I have seen cretins over there stealing people's work, including mine, with no changes to the model, no attribution, and in my case, and maybe even others, using my photos and the description word for word. In other words, they have basically gone shopping on Printables, found something they like and copy pasted everything and posted to MakerWorld and claimed the model as their own creation. Straight up stealing?
MakerWorld requires you to create an account with them if you want to dispute the origins of a model and I don't feel comfortable handing over my personal details to a Chineses company that harbours and encourages thievery and not to mention the possibility of being infected with spyware.
RE: Is it a remix if you just remove the logo from a 3D model?
I wholeheartedly agree with the prevailing sentiment here that removing a logo is certainly fine for personal use but uploading it is probably bad form at best. Having said that... I'm not a fan of people plastering their initials or logos on models (aside from commercial settings), in particular on prominently visible surfaces. Unlike a splash screen in software, it won't go away but instead will stare you in the face all the time. So yeah, most of the time, I just delete them in CAD software—but I also wouldn't re-upload them unless it was a significant modification in functionality. But if someone really needs the ego boost from seeing their initials, mark your model with a "no remix allowed" license. Users can still download and modify it for personal use but it would prevent users from uploading a modified version (at least as long as people are honest).