[Suggestion] Copyright or Patent Things Made/Invented By a User

Believe it or not, I'm going to -1 this.

Reasons:

1. Since the upper UPPER Staff are the only ones that could worldedit to copy something, any "copies" must be built the same way, so one could only copy a design. One must still place blocks in order to attain a design, no magic wand waving
2. Copying a design is not illegal AS LONG AS CREDIT IS GIVEN (per Dewsy back in March '15) As an example, I have built a dragon statue and a Shield Helicarrier from pre-existing designs I found / Googled. Both structures have a plague (a keel plate, if you will) showing that I built it, but someone else designed it, thus giving credit to the original designer.
3. There is a fuzzy line between copied and "influenced". Intellectual property rights are going to be a bit vague when we all make stuff on someone else's property (ECC). A legal system of rights and rules around that that would be cumbersome and interpretive per Staff member. (Think about it, after 4 years, we don't even have a definitive list of swear words... *grin*)
4. Once someone buys something, either a pre-existing structure or a commission, they have the right to change their own property.
5. If someone buys a town with a credited design structure, the town owner (new or original) has every right to demolish or change ANYthing inside their town. Town Owner rights are absolute, as they should be.

So, I don't think we need rules, regulations, or protections regarding who designed what, but maybe something on the Wiki that states that that if one "copies" someone else's design, please put a (locked) sign on it somewhere to give the original designer credit for the idea. Maybe something additional for the Staff that tells them they may not LWC a locked "design credit" sign without already having the structure demolished.

 

-1 too. You can certainly modify your own building here.

 

*ponders* Well, I guess we can continue answering eachothers points in a respectful and adult manner

1) I agree that in real life that that is a very valid concern. However, in Minecraft (on any server), there is no innate ability to copyright designs. I know that real life has a slightly fuzzy line for copyright infringement. I remember that Vanilla Ice apparently added a single extra beat to a Queen song, and the judge allowed it. What if someone copied the 2.5M house exactly... in a different material? is it an actual copy? or merely a design influence? Another example would be if someone commissioned you to build a unique structure, with copyright rules implemented, YOU wouldn't be allowed to build another one EITHER... because the design now belongs to your build patron I think that paying someone to build something "unique" for you means you are getting the FIRST one, but not the ONLY one ever.

2) Personally (and only in game, not commenting on forum graphics), I would be happy if someone thought something I built was worthy of the flattery of spending the time to acquire the materials and stacking them in the exact same positions that I did. It would make me feel all warm and fuzzy that I inspired someone to build instead of the mindless chore of mining or farming. It takes WORK to build something. It takes SKILL to build something. It takes creativity to design it. I would consider it free advertising if someone copied my builds... especially since they had to go from what they can see. They sure ain't getting my design notes If someone wants a building that looks just like mine, they can pay someone else to figure out how to build it, or... they can pay the actual designer who has built at least one. I would prefer to have the designer build it for me, even if it cost more.

3) The problem would be figuring out how to write a tight enough definition that a) every Staff member would have the exact same viewpoint and b) there would be a defined "line" that says what is a copy and what is an influence. That level of rules detail would probably require pages of terms, definitions, rights, responsibilities, infringement punishments (and levels thereof), reporting mechanisms, etc. I would rather not have to deal with any of that, no matter WHAT direction I would be coming from. What happens if you design something that was influenced by a build you saw on a different server... that happens to fall on the "copy" side of the line when someone discovers the same build from 2 years ago elsewhere on ECC? Now you have to demolish something you spent weeks (months?) working on, all because a Staff member decides it's too similar. My opinion is that instituting copyright laws would STIFLE creativity, not encourage it. Could you imagine the records you would have to go through to make sure someone else didn't already build it? How long would it takes someone to just give up and not build anything beyond dirt square houses?

I completely understand the direction you are coming from. I even agree with the idea behind it. I just think it would be too much of a hassle to implement the rules that would be needed. I love to build and overcome the challenges of "how the heck do I make this look right?", but I don't think I own any of it... I was just first

*hands the debate stick back*

 

-100 this could seriously break the economy and there are soooo many flaws

 

-420blazeit420

 

Nono many people have the same business idea (for example casino games are pretty much the same) and will ruin lots of businesses

 

*patents fishing towers* (Yes, I invented them.)

gstoner summed up what my opinion on the matter is (and more).

It sounds like a system that will be very complicated and inefficient, with little to no gain.

 

-1

Sounds like a pointless and complicated system.

 

Locked on request.