It is a shame - 3d model thieves on cgtrader

Discussion started by thiefsend

I have waiting a while because I hoped cgtrader is willing to do some action but nothing happened right now.

This guy: https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-factory

sells "stolen" 3d models on cgtrader. "stolen" because he download free models from somewhere on the internet and sell them. This is wrong and such a bad behavior in a way I really have to stay calm and try not using bad language.

I'm pretty shure this is the same guy which did it a few month ago with an account named: sh-studio

why I'm shure? because 1. some of the 3d models where idetical 2. he use the same way to advertise his models right here on the forum with supid discounts and cheap prices beyond good and evil for entire scenes. I think those which selling good. the guy back then I've reported and he was banned a week later.

And the guy today... I have also reported two of his items last week.

The Audi-Showroom was stole from here: https://3dzip.org/audi-showroom-3d-model-free-down...
And a candalier which was stole from here: https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/chandelier-3d...

Both items are not visible anymore in his account.

But he is still there, earning money, upload new stolen stuff and don't feel bad at all. And if he got banned one day I'm pretty shure he will come back and do it again and again. And I'm also sure he not the only one. I wonder why cgtrader don't do much against this people?

Is it really that hard to check the forum for individuals which new on cgtrader and made agressive advertisement for there items? And is it really that hard to check what they sell for which prices? Is it really that hard to check a reported account?

Answers

Posted almost 4 years ago
6

"Is it really that hard to check the forum for individuals which new on cgtrader and made agressive advertisement for there items? And is it really that hard to check what they sell for which prices? Is it really that hard to check a reported account?" - i believe it is really hard to check each seller, but it shouldn't be hard to react to reported cases and take appropriate actions.

thiefsend wrote
Ok. Maybe I've asked in a little polemic way but those things don't happen for the first time. Maybe it's possible to have a 12 weeks withdrawal lock after the fist sale for new accounts? I know it's a long time but for people with serious intentions in 3d bussines this should be possible. Other sites (Image Stock sites for example) have similar limitation.
skapricorn wrote
skapricorn
For people that are monitoring and watching CGT's daily uploads isn't hard to control situation for pirated models (at least in coule of selected categories). 2-3 times daily is usually enough. But CGT's staff don't does it. They leaved this "job" for us.
Posted almost 4 years ago
6

It's strange to me that when you report stolen model they only remove that model. I think account should be removed instead. I mean if someone sells others stuff - he does it not by mistake. He knows what he's doing. Removing only model looks like giving a warning. But there is no point to warn thieves.

intagli wrote
intagli
yeah! 100% if there are no strict rules and penalties for this, then CGtrader will turn into Turboshit
MovART wrote
MovART
We hope that sooner or later the administration will understand.
Posted almost 4 years ago
4

And his complex Skate shop model with the huge amount of assets (t-shirts, skates etc.) for ridiculously low price is also very suspicious. I expect that all of the assets in the scene are completely stolen.

Posted almost 4 years ago
4

It really baffles me that anyone who is stealing content for their own store would bother posting in the forums for others to look at it and comment. I'm glad they do, it makes it that much easier to spot, but it never fails to amaze me. I saw his thread and was tempted to comment about the prices, but something seemed very off about it. Good catch, guys.

Posted almost 4 years ago
3

I noticed this guy yesterday, and was shocked by so low prices for such a big products. How naive am I

Posted almost 4 years ago
3

What you need to do is quickly eliminate the cheats and especially not allow them to re-enter. The longer they are selling the stolen models the more damage is done to the original author and the more dirty money goes into CGT's pockets.

The law requires not only to remove material that infringes copyright, but also to take the necessary measures to avoid repeated and imminent infringements. And here is a lot of it.

Posted almost 4 years ago
3

I think this guy should be banned or punished reputationally for this shit...

Posted almost 4 years ago
3

"For future reference we suggest to send us an email to support@cgtrader.com in case you find a fraudulent seller , as it will assist us with gathering proof and removing the account and stolen content."

Thats exactly what I've did last time. But after a week nothing was happen. No answere, no bann, no deleted items. I know things need time but each day without consequences is too much. I discover the report function and notice thats this was more helpful because a reported item is immediately gone and the thief can't sell it for now. And everytime I report an item or send an email to the cgtrader support I always proof my suspicion with links.

I see the CGTrader staff read those threads. Thats good, really. But it would be better to do some serious action. Deleting fraudulent accounts is like a drop in the bucket. I've read some good ideas for preventing those toxic accounts in this and other threads. It's on you if you are serious.

Posted almost 4 years ago
3

Need to tighten the rules,there are more 1.000.000+ models on the site
it's time to work on the quality of the site...

Posted almost 4 years ago
2

The one who cannot be congratulated is CGT. You removed this cheater less than 2 months ago, (in addition to stolen models, it also uses pirated software). But it allowed him to re-enter shortly with a different name and make a sale 10 days ago for $ 18, of various Evermotion vehicles, which the original author sells, at least 3 times more, each. He subsequently removed the 13 models that the cheater had republished, but not the user. Currently it already has 6 other models, different from those already eliminated on 2 occasions, (there are many models to choose from on the pirated pages). Finally it will eliminate the user again and CGT will collect 100% of royalties from its fraudulent sales.

Assuming that it is only 1 vehicle, and that it is one of the cheapest that Evermotion sells ($ 60). If the sale had been made by the original author, CGT would earn $ 12 in royalties. The cheater sells it cheaper, ($ 18) but since it will be eliminated, CGT will get 100%, that is, $ 6 more, (50%) than it would have if it had been sold by Evermotion. The cheater has probably made more than one sale, multiplying the profit.

The conclusion I draw is that CGT is tolerant of piracy because it benefits you:

- It benefits them that there are many cheats who publish many cheap models, because that quickly increases the number of models published, (which is what they presume), the number of "artists", which conveys the (wrong) idea that this It is a great community, (that's why multiple users per person are allowed), and the benefit, because there are many opportunistic buyers, willing to spend money on models sold well below their real value.

- It benefits them that users worry about looking for cheats because that generates traffic. Although many are detected, many others survive because CGT allows them to hide. It also reduces personnel costs, because it is something that they should do.

- It benefits them to take time to eliminate cheats, to allow time for more fraudulent sales. Finally they eliminate them, which makes the deluded believe that they are doing things right, because they are intolerant of piracy, but the reality is that they allow them to re-enter, hiding the evidence so as not to be detected. And the wheel keeps turning. (some cheats have already been removed up to 9 times).

And there are still people who think they do it well (for them yes).

Posted almost 4 years ago
2

Hello there,

I would like to inform you that we reviewed this account and made the decision to suspend it as we received sufficient proof of fraudulent activity.
Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

For future reference we suggest to send us an email to support@cgtrader.com in case you find a fraudulent seller , as it will assist us with gathering proof and removing the account and stolen content.

All the best,
Justas from CGTrader

skapricorn wrote
skapricorn
Empty words. I minused your reply.
Posted almost 4 years ago
2

I don't get that persons, either.
Although it is not the only one.
And not only in 3d modelling industry.
There are a bunch of them in architecture, music industry, and many others, plenty of people simple take other ideas and sell as their own ones, with a slight, or no change at all. Especially people who are well-known.
I consider for all types of art that you need to have creative ideas, and not to use the existing ones.
Being creative in a theft is not an art at all.

Posted almost 4 years ago
1

I see that this thief quickly removed "his" audi cars (stolen from Evermotion as I remember from other thread) from his Showroon exterior facade model.

thiefsend wrote
I've noticed the same. That speaks for itself.
Posted almost 4 years ago
0

@thiefsend, can you clarify what do you mean by "withdrawal lock"? I'm not sure if i understand it.

thiefsend wrote
I will try. (English is not my native language). Imagine you have a new account on cgtrader and upload your first 3d models. Sooner or later you will made your first sale. From this date you can't recive payments from cgtrader for 12 weeks (or three month). I know cgtrader pays per month. Thats whould mean the the first three month are locked for new accounts. They can made sales but the money is "on hold" for three month. After this period the will be normal payed per month. Maybe it is not a 100% safe way but it could be possible that those thievs will be exposed in the first months the made a new acount. They can be banned and will not payed for there bad behavior.
LemonadeCG wrote
LemonadeCG
Thanks for explanation. I agree with you - this would be small step in the right direction.
skapricorn wrote
skapricorn
It's not bad idea. And my traditional addition: CGT must to rethink and rework batch upload system. "Batch upload" is very beloved tool for "black sellers". For example, batch upload could be available only for "trusted" and "proved" sellers that has no pirated models in their stores.
Posted almost 4 years ago
0

A few more models where reported and deleted but his account is still there. :/

Posted almost 4 years ago
-1

This designer is not visible now. Think he changed his name.

Mineral3D wrote
Mineral3D
I don't think it's a good idea to "borrow" a car from Disney / Pixar movie neither, Mr.

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