Second life is rife with drama and accusations. I have discovered that the skin industry is no exception. Yes, stolen work is serious business, but in no way shape or form should YOU take matters into your hands and start harassing someone who has been accused of theft. For one thing, you are most likely NOT a skin expert, and it’s all conjecture at this point; second, I’ve found out that some brands will accuse others of theft just to break their competition and third, there are SO many templates out there now that it’s almost IMPOSSIBLE to tell anymore unless they use the template straight outta the box.
IF! you ever run across a skin that reminds you of another creator’s, the ONLY proper recourse of action is to inform the creator and drop an LM on them. NOTHING ELSE. Let the person you informed handle it. They can tell if parts of their work have been used and if they deem it so, they will file the DMCA. We are NOT a court of law, and so let the right people handle it. Only creators are able to file DMCAs, not the general consumer.
To the creators who think it’s a great practice to spread the word that someone is botting you without having filed a DMCA because you know it wouldn’t hold up. WTF do you think you are? Because you make skins and earn a few Ls from it that you are suddenly God? And that you can go around harassing people and organizing lynch mobs? Every time you do something like this, this reflects back on your business, and as more and more see your actions, they will be turned off and stop shopping at your store. If you truly think someone has copybotted your skin, file a DMCA and let LL handle it from there. If the accused counter files, then it’s on YOU to take it to real life court and let the law decide. Not to take it to plurk, groups, flickr etc and start a war against the accused. In the states we have a saying, innocent until proven guilty….often that is not how it really is, in the states or just in life in general.
To those people who get involved in the drama. Make sure you know who you are supporting and that you trust them completely, and actually use your brain and not just take someone’s word for it. Sadly it’s coming to light that false accusations are being thrown around in order to squash competition….so I just say to you to be careful and ask yourself if it’s really necessary for you to get involved.
About myself. No I’m not perfect, yes I’ve made and will continue to make mistakes. I’m a firm believer in the truth and that it should be available to everyone, but I also believe that every story has 3 sides. Does this mean I follow this always? No. As I said I make mistakes, but I can tell you that I do my best. I’m just sick of the amount of CRAP that goes on. Yes there’s real issues but then there’s the manufactured bullshit that I’m tired of. Please, all I ask, myself and others: THINK before leaping into anything. Make sure it’s something that you will be proud of doing, 6 months-5 years from now.
Harassment of any kind is wrong. I don’t care if the people being harassed deserve it or not, it’s wrong, nobody has made us judge and jury. It’s like when Jesus said, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone,” and everyone had to walk away because NO one is without faults.
I get the question often why don’t I have certain creators in the group. No, it doesn’t mean I think they’ve botted or done something wrong. It is an invitation to join the group, if they don’t want to, it is their right to decline said invite. People market their businesses differently and this group might not be the direction they take. Also, just because someone WANTS to join the group doesn’t mean they get in. I have my reasons, and they are personal. More than likely, I will never share them. I know this is gonna come out as sounding like a dictator, but I DON’T have to answer to anybody for the reason why I do things in MY group. However. I will promise one thing, I love this group. I ALWAYS try to have its best interest at heart, and not do anything rash. This group is one of the best and friendliest I have found, and for that I’m proud. And it’s not because of me. It’s because of YOU, the group members that make it so.
If you’ve made it this far in my ramblings…
<333 Voshie
