Post by Major Pain on Sept 26, 2014 12:38:06 GMT 1
NOTICE:
It has come to my attention that some of my work may have been pirated by several people within this community. Furthermore, some of this work may have been sold and/or converted for other game platforms. The worst part of this is that I know who most of these people are and feel very betrayed by their actions. Funny how they call you friend while stabbing you in the back.
Several of them made the mistake to discuss this in the OpenSpy Server during the last evening and overnight hours. They were not there to play, but staking it out in the attempt to send players to GAMERANGER. What they did not know is at that same time, myself and a couple of testers were conducting software and code tests. We were not visible to them, but we could watch them. We have been monitoring the activity and system interactions all week, 24 hours a day. Everything has been recorded either by a live feed or screenshots.
To confirm what I say: If you log in and see 'Captain', that is our proxy dummy player used to collect the online activity data. I have been working on the STEAM BK MP Patch and conducting compatibility testing with other BK releases. 80% of all players who logged in tried to talk to Captain so far. Since Captain resides on a remote machine in UTAH (USA), he is not going to answer, unless I go online through the remote server. I usually don't. A couple of members here can attest that I tried to enlist them in this testing phase. And since NIVAL's own testers have also been involved, this kind of activity is damaging to this community.
I understand their reason to sabotage the OpenSpy Server... but I ask this question: Is it a good idea to alienate yourselves from the Blitzkrieg Community with the NIVAL Support we have been receiving? What about future releases? What about the game future?
I have let the GAMERANGER discussion go uninterrupted... but since this conduct very much involves some of that service provider's members, we are starting our evidence and data collection on that site. When I say "we', I'm talking about individuals from several communities or expertises. I urge Scott to work from his side to check any new mods in use.
I will be checking out their claims, and if true, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for Intellectual Property Theft via the Internet. You guys know who you are and I suggest you start thinking about how you are going to adjust to being someone's plaything if your claims are in fact found to be true. You can perhaps make it easier for yourself if you just confess and tell me the other people involved and exactly what work has been compromised and where it has been used.
Most know that I have supported this game for many years. I don't have to list all of the stuff I have done. These guys know it too and were so proud of themselves that they had taken advantage of my efforts. One called OpenSpy the Major's bogus project. That is funny since I'm not a Multiplayer. I did not work on this issue for me, but for the community. So if I was not trying to support the community, I could care less. But since there are many Multiplayers in this community, I felt compelled to take a crack at solving the GameSpy issue.
By the way, we are taking steps to prevent those guys from logging into OpenSpy in the future. They do not have the right to interfere with any other player and I do not approve of their tactics to send players to the other site.
But like I said, I am not a multiplayer. If BK Multiplayers choose to not use the new Server, then I have only wasted my time as well as NIVAL's. What a bad situation we may find ourselves in then.
So what steps am I taking to prevent this crap again?
Since I have put up my own money to make my work available to this community for free... I am taking steps to prevent downloads by anyone who has not been given permission.
I have never asked anyone to pay for any of my work, and I never will. All I have ever insisted on is respect for my work.
Since several people seem to think it is funny to take advantage of me, they have only screwed themselves, and made it more difficult for everyone else. They will not be able to download anything from me in the future, but I'm sure they already have what they wanted.
My last released Series (PzIV) has been downloaded over 500 times. I have no idea who all of these people are of course. But all of their IP and Computer ID data is stored in my Download Report each week. The page is costing me $150 per month for the Business Plan. I did this on purpose since the piracy issue has come up three times before and that data links any theft directly to someone's computer.
Because I must protect myself and my work, my EULA has been changed. Anyone wishing to download my work in the future must request to become a subscriber. All requests must be made by email only. I will not provide permission by PM or IM. Individuals who are approved will be given a link and password.
Who will be granted a subscription? Anyone that I have known for a long period and have had no issues with will be a likely shoe-in. Individuals who regularly provide testing on my models and work will be provided a subscription, and likely 1st level access to my source files. People who have already been using my work without issue may be granted a subscription. Individuals who are well known for creating skins for my work, will be granted a subscription. Individuals that I have worked with in the past on projects or mods, or currently have pending projects with, will be given a subscription.
Who will not be granted a subscription? If you are not a member of the World Wide Blitzkrieg Community, then you may be declined. If you are not known to me and you cannot provide any information about yourself like a link to a community or an active email address that I can verify, you will be declined. If I have had a past history of major issues with you, you could be declined. Note on the last one: you could be / not will be. Just because we may have had a rocky situation does not mean I ill decline you. I am a firm believer that people who formerly had issues can become friends, so I rarely burn bridges.
In light of the fact that I know most these guys, the new system is not a guarantee it will not happen again. So to those guys... if I seem a bit offish to you... it could be because I am really ticked.
I do not like the fact that I will be restricting my work in the future. If I find that the individuals were only talking big and I find no evidence of a theft, then I may resume the previous method. The worst part of this issue is these guys are now preventing me from adding my work to STEAM WORKSHOP, until I can ensure some kind of security measure can be used. The downloads may actually be links back to my Mediafire Page, which again will have restrictions.
I am sorry for this change. But call this the price of FREE STUFF.
In the meantime, my MediaFire page has been closed until further notice.
NEW **END USER LICENSING AGREEMENT (EULA) : Draft Release
I cannot ban these individuals from this forum because the discussion and actions did not occur within this forum. But I expect they will tread lightly after they read what I have to say about this. I will not divulge their names unless they are charged, meaning there is solid proof of their claims. If they wish to identify themselves, that is their choice.
I may be withdrawing my permission for my work to appear in some MODs or Projects, as part of the new EULA.
Most MODs or Projects currently under development will not be subject to the change, except, the original models may not be released. I am forced to restrict this to protect how models can distributed.
This is typical of the rules this Community has operated within during the last 10 years. On Some BK Titles, you can release your skins or 1.xml files, but not the models. The copyright goes with the model... skins and support files are considered art or ancillary files, despite their exclusive use for a copyrighted object.
Again... I am sorry for this change.
It has come to my attention that some of my work may have been pirated by several people within this community. Furthermore, some of this work may have been sold and/or converted for other game platforms. The worst part of this is that I know who most of these people are and feel very betrayed by their actions. Funny how they call you friend while stabbing you in the back.
Several of them made the mistake to discuss this in the OpenSpy Server during the last evening and overnight hours. They were not there to play, but staking it out in the attempt to send players to GAMERANGER. What they did not know is at that same time, myself and a couple of testers were conducting software and code tests. We were not visible to them, but we could watch them. We have been monitoring the activity and system interactions all week, 24 hours a day. Everything has been recorded either by a live feed or screenshots.
To confirm what I say: If you log in and see 'Captain', that is our proxy dummy player used to collect the online activity data. I have been working on the STEAM BK MP Patch and conducting compatibility testing with other BK releases. 80% of all players who logged in tried to talk to Captain so far. Since Captain resides on a remote machine in UTAH (USA), he is not going to answer, unless I go online through the remote server. I usually don't. A couple of members here can attest that I tried to enlist them in this testing phase. And since NIVAL's own testers have also been involved, this kind of activity is damaging to this community.
I understand their reason to sabotage the OpenSpy Server... but I ask this question: Is it a good idea to alienate yourselves from the Blitzkrieg Community with the NIVAL Support we have been receiving? What about future releases? What about the game future?
I have let the GAMERANGER discussion go uninterrupted... but since this conduct very much involves some of that service provider's members, we are starting our evidence and data collection on that site. When I say "we', I'm talking about individuals from several communities or expertises. I urge Scott to work from his side to check any new mods in use.
I will be checking out their claims, and if true, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for Intellectual Property Theft via the Internet. You guys know who you are and I suggest you start thinking about how you are going to adjust to being someone's plaything if your claims are in fact found to be true. You can perhaps make it easier for yourself if you just confess and tell me the other people involved and exactly what work has been compromised and where it has been used.
Most know that I have supported this game for many years. I don't have to list all of the stuff I have done. These guys know it too and were so proud of themselves that they had taken advantage of my efforts. One called OpenSpy the Major's bogus project. That is funny since I'm not a Multiplayer. I did not work on this issue for me, but for the community. So if I was not trying to support the community, I could care less. But since there are many Multiplayers in this community, I felt compelled to take a crack at solving the GameSpy issue.
By the way, we are taking steps to prevent those guys from logging into OpenSpy in the future. They do not have the right to interfere with any other player and I do not approve of their tactics to send players to the other site.
But like I said, I am not a multiplayer. If BK Multiplayers choose to not use the new Server, then I have only wasted my time as well as NIVAL's. What a bad situation we may find ourselves in then.
So what steps am I taking to prevent this crap again?
Since I have put up my own money to make my work available to this community for free... I am taking steps to prevent downloads by anyone who has not been given permission.
I have never asked anyone to pay for any of my work, and I never will. All I have ever insisted on is respect for my work.
Since several people seem to think it is funny to take advantage of me, they have only screwed themselves, and made it more difficult for everyone else. They will not be able to download anything from me in the future, but I'm sure they already have what they wanted.
My last released Series (PzIV) has been downloaded over 500 times. I have no idea who all of these people are of course. But all of their IP and Computer ID data is stored in my Download Report each week. The page is costing me $150 per month for the Business Plan. I did this on purpose since the piracy issue has come up three times before and that data links any theft directly to someone's computer.
Because I must protect myself and my work, my EULA has been changed. Anyone wishing to download my work in the future must request to become a subscriber. All requests must be made by email only. I will not provide permission by PM or IM. Individuals who are approved will be given a link and password.
Who will be granted a subscription? Anyone that I have known for a long period and have had no issues with will be a likely shoe-in. Individuals who regularly provide testing on my models and work will be provided a subscription, and likely 1st level access to my source files. People who have already been using my work without issue may be granted a subscription. Individuals who are well known for creating skins for my work, will be granted a subscription. Individuals that I have worked with in the past on projects or mods, or currently have pending projects with, will be given a subscription.
Who will not be granted a subscription? If you are not a member of the World Wide Blitzkrieg Community, then you may be declined. If you are not known to me and you cannot provide any information about yourself like a link to a community or an active email address that I can verify, you will be declined. If I have had a past history of major issues with you, you could be declined. Note on the last one: you could be / not will be. Just because we may have had a rocky situation does not mean I ill decline you. I am a firm believer that people who formerly had issues can become friends, so I rarely burn bridges.
In light of the fact that I know most these guys, the new system is not a guarantee it will not happen again. So to those guys... if I seem a bit offish to you... it could be because I am really ticked.
I do not like the fact that I will be restricting my work in the future. If I find that the individuals were only talking big and I find no evidence of a theft, then I may resume the previous method. The worst part of this issue is these guys are now preventing me from adding my work to STEAM WORKSHOP, until I can ensure some kind of security measure can be used. The downloads may actually be links back to my Mediafire Page, which again will have restrictions.
I am sorry for this change. But call this the price of FREE STUFF.
In the meantime, my MediaFire page has been closed until further notice.
NEW **END USER LICENSING AGREEMENT (EULA) : Draft Release
1. By installing this Model in your Blitzkrieg Game Folder, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.
a. Let it be known that the Major Pain has created 3D models for the enjoyment of the End User.
b. All works covered by this EULA are original creations and do not incorporate any other artist's work.
c. The End User accepts all risk and liability when using any Models created by Major Pain.
d. Major Pain does not present any Warranty or Guarantee as to how any Model or Creation will function on a Computer within the game environment.
e. Any legal owner of a Model or any other creation by Model Pain may report issues as to performance or usability to the Owner's Email Adress: majorpain.one@gmail.com
2. No person or company representative or employee shall modify any Geometric part of any 3-D Model produced by Major Pain without written consent of the Owner. Request to modify Models must be made writing and sent to the Owner's email address: majorpain.one@gmail.com
3. Model Support Files such as the texture (skins), 1.xml (Command File), text files or any other image file, may be modified by any legal user under the following stipulations:
a. No person may distribute the 3D model, which includes the 1.mod, 2.mod, 3.mod or any .mod file. without permission of the Owner.
b. Only modified skins and support files may be distributed to other players or within a Community.
c. 3D Model .mod files may not be distributed by any person within a MOD or Add-on. Such MODS and Add-ons can only include support files.
d. Any person who wishes to add any of Major Pain's 3D Models to a MOD or Add-on must first secure permission from the Owner.
e. Models or projects created by Major Pain shall not be made part of any Commercial Product or Release by any person or company.
4. This EULA must remain in the original Model Folder, and shall become a permanent file within the folder.
a. The END USER may not install any Model or Creation by Major Pain on any public computer or server.
b. No person or company shall make available for download, any Models or projects created by Major Pain, unless permission has been granted in writing.
c. It is understood that all 3D Models created by Major Pain include a Copyrighted Stamp within the Model.
d. No person or company shall repackage any of Models or Projects created by Major Pain, unless permission has been granted. Permission will not include the model files (.mod files).
5. No 3D Models created by Major Pain can be modified for use in any other game platform. They have been designed for Blitzkrieg I and are only intended for use within that Game Series.
6. All Models created by Major Pain are protected and Copyrighted under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of the United States of America and by International Treaties under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Any violation of this EULA shall constitute Infringement of the Copyright.
a. It shall be understood that all 3D Models created by Major Pain include a Copyrighted Stamp within the Model.
b. Any attempt to remove the Copyright Stamp in any model shall constitute a violation of the Copyright.
c. It shall be understood that any attempt or successful modification of any 3D model created by Major Pain shall constitute a violation of the Copyright.
d. It shall be understood that distribution of Major Pain's Models (1.mod, 2.mod, 3.mod or any .mod file) by any person shall constitute a violation of the Copyright.
a. Let it be known that the Major Pain has created 3D models for the enjoyment of the End User.
b. All works covered by this EULA are original creations and do not incorporate any other artist's work.
c. The End User accepts all risk and liability when using any Models created by Major Pain.
d. Major Pain does not present any Warranty or Guarantee as to how any Model or Creation will function on a Computer within the game environment.
e. Any legal owner of a Model or any other creation by Model Pain may report issues as to performance or usability to the Owner's Email Adress: majorpain.one@gmail.com
2. No person or company representative or employee shall modify any Geometric part of any 3-D Model produced by Major Pain without written consent of the Owner. Request to modify Models must be made writing and sent to the Owner's email address: majorpain.one@gmail.com
3. Model Support Files such as the texture (skins), 1.xml (Command File), text files or any other image file, may be modified by any legal user under the following stipulations:
a. No person may distribute the 3D model, which includes the 1.mod, 2.mod, 3.mod or any .mod file. without permission of the Owner.
b. Only modified skins and support files may be distributed to other players or within a Community.
c. 3D Model .mod files may not be distributed by any person within a MOD or Add-on. Such MODS and Add-ons can only include support files.
d. Any person who wishes to add any of Major Pain's 3D Models to a MOD or Add-on must first secure permission from the Owner.
e. Models or projects created by Major Pain shall not be made part of any Commercial Product or Release by any person or company.
4. This EULA must remain in the original Model Folder, and shall become a permanent file within the folder.
a. The END USER may not install any Model or Creation by Major Pain on any public computer or server.
b. No person or company shall make available for download, any Models or projects created by Major Pain, unless permission has been granted in writing.
c. It is understood that all 3D Models created by Major Pain include a Copyrighted Stamp within the Model.
d. No person or company shall repackage any of Models or Projects created by Major Pain, unless permission has been granted. Permission will not include the model files (.mod files).
5. No 3D Models created by Major Pain can be modified for use in any other game platform. They have been designed for Blitzkrieg I and are only intended for use within that Game Series.
6. All Models created by Major Pain are protected and Copyrighted under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of the United States of America and by International Treaties under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). Any violation of this EULA shall constitute Infringement of the Copyright.
a. It shall be understood that all 3D Models created by Major Pain include a Copyrighted Stamp within the Model.
b. Any attempt to remove the Copyright Stamp in any model shall constitute a violation of the Copyright.
c. It shall be understood that any attempt or successful modification of any 3D model created by Major Pain shall constitute a violation of the Copyright.
d. It shall be understood that distribution of Major Pain's Models (1.mod, 2.mod, 3.mod or any .mod file) by any person shall constitute a violation of the Copyright.
I cannot ban these individuals from this forum because the discussion and actions did not occur within this forum. But I expect they will tread lightly after they read what I have to say about this. I will not divulge their names unless they are charged, meaning there is solid proof of their claims. If they wish to identify themselves, that is their choice.
I may be withdrawing my permission for my work to appear in some MODs or Projects, as part of the new EULA.
Most MODs or Projects currently under development will not be subject to the change, except, the original models may not be released. I am forced to restrict this to protect how models can distributed.
This is typical of the rules this Community has operated within during the last 10 years. On Some BK Titles, you can release your skins or 1.xml files, but not the models. The copyright goes with the model... skins and support files are considered art or ancillary files, despite their exclusive use for a copyrighted object.
Again... I am sorry for this change.