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Real copycats exist and should be dealt with but be careful it doesn't turn into a witch-hunt. I already had some people accusing/listing me as copycat/thief, according to them I had stolen my models from a popular game. The realty however is that multiple game makers license and use my work in their games, so obviously my work appears in games.
Also artists/sellers that operate under different usernames on different marketplaces have gotten accused as thief's (sometimes they are but often they are not).
Every case should be thoroughly investigated (preferably not by a group of outraged individuals).
So very true!
I've looked at your work long before I've joined my self
My company had purchased a few of your models to make it look more 'tech'.
What are your thoughts about people buying models and reselling them at a lower price? Is that a form or copying, or just dirty tactics to undercut artists ?
The correct name for that would be “sub-licensing” and that's an illegal practice according to international copyright law. The correct course of action for an artist falling victim to this is to send a signed DMCA notice to the infringer or the platform management the infringer is active on. If there is no response within two weeks then authorities can be notified about the case. Note however, usually it will not come this far because most of the infringements are being done on know platforms and a simple DMCA notice to the management is enough to end the infringement.
@PayalAswani, that would be criminal act punishable by law.
Understandably so. But ive read a lot on this platform where some artist are still fighting to end the infringement. Is it futile ? Or just hard to prove ?
Have any of you had this done to you ?
Honestly very curious to know more. Especially prevention of such things.
In total I have send out about 25 DMCA notices, resulting in removal of the content and sometimes account deletion including permanent ban of the individual. I don't know exactly how policy on CGtrader is but I read somewhere on the forum that account deletion including permanent ban is done when 3 violations get reported on the account. I presume when a single complaint comes in from a well known company, deletion and ban will be swift. Note also, a derivative work can only be performed by the original artist, if someone ells produces a derivative then its not an original work and it automatically gets the label “co-authored”. A co-authored work can be legally yours if the original artist has given written permission to produce a derivative. This would be the only way one can license out the work (with royalty free license) in his own name, label or brand. If this is not the case then its basically sub-licensing a work that is contained within your own work.
