#tou violations

[sjbattleangel]

I’m sorry but it needs to be said

Dear @sifix​, @strangestorytellersims, @the-regal-sim, @newen092, @plazasims

As someone who loves your creations, I have to talk to you about @elfdor.

Elfdor proffering off your fantastic free content behind perma-paywalls at Patreon. 

@elfdor is clearly, and grossly, violating your terms and conditions. 

Yet Elfdor continues to lock recolors of your free content behind Patreon exclusive paywalls. By holding your content hostage, Elfdor is hurting our community’s creativity by encouraging theft and elitism.  This is unacceptable. This needs to stop now. My lovely friend, @mack3030 gave some advice in this post when I told her about what Elfdor was doing: https://mack3030.tumblr.com/post/649903943123615744/submitted-post-43021-2

“This is one of those cases where it’s probably best for those creators who have an issue with this to take a few steps: 1) Reach out to Elfdor with a strongly worded warning about the use of their content. Something along the lines of: “”It has come to my attention that you are using my content as a base for your recolors that you are putting behind a paywall. (TSR/Simsdom/Patreon) In my terms, I expressly forbid this use of my content if it is being put behind a paywall/adwall. You may either release all of your content that is a recolor of my meshes for FREE with zero ads or paywalls, (either through SFS or patreon) or I will be forced to file a DMCA.”” 2) If Elfdor doesn’t respond and try to work something out, file a DMCA with all parties that host the work in question. (An easy way to do this is use this FORM here: https://www.dmca.com/Takedowns/DIY.aspx?r=m) In this case, the DMCA would be filed with simsdom, TSR, and possibly the hosting service for their own site (my research indicates it would be google/godaddy). Just note that filing a DMCA includes putting in your real first and last name and an email address. I warn about this because paywall creators have shown time and time again they do not mind doxing people. 3) Although some may not like having to do this, make a statement post about the recolors and how they are not authorized because of the violation of terms. It is important that the simblr/sims cc community be made aware that this person is violating a creator’s terms of use. I know some may not be a fan of this, but it’s not starting drama or throwing shade. It’s making the community aware of someone who is violating the rights of others.”

Please, I hope all of you do the right thing. And remember, me, @mack3030 , @anachrosims, @fiftymilehighclub, @xldkx, @melunn, @loookawway and other members of the anti-paywall community are here to support you and your decisions. We stand together.

[mack3030]

Submitted Post 4/30/21 (#2)

It pains me to says this but as talented as she is, Elfdor is without a doubt one of the scummiest cc creators. How? Great cc creators like Anachronisms, Strangestorytellersims and Revolutionsims make superb, high-quality historical content FOR FREE while reminding us not to put recolors of their content behind paywalls as clearly stated in their terms and conditions. Elfdor completely goes against this for she recolors their content, very beautiful might I add, but puts them BEHIND PAYWALLS WHEN THE ORIGINAL CREATORS SPECIFICALLY SAID NOT TO. ——————-

This is one of those cases where it’s probably best for those creators who have an issue with this to take a few steps: 1) Reach out to Elfdor with a strongly worded warning about the use of their content. Something along the lines of:  It has come to my attention that you are using my content as a base for your recolors that you are putting behind a paywall. (TSR/Simsdom/Patreon) In my terms, I expressly forbid this use of my content if it is being put behind a paywall/adwall. You may either release all of your content that is a recolor of my meshes for FREE with zero ads or paywalls, (either through SFS or patreon) or I will be forced to file a DMCA.  2) If Elfdor doesn’t respond and try to work something out, file a DMCA with all parties that host the work in question. (An easy way to do this is use this FORM here: https://www.dmca.com/Takedowns/DIY.aspx?r=m)  In this case, the DMCA would be filed with simsdom, TSR, and possibly the hosting service for their own site (my research indicates it would be google/godaddy).  Just note that filing a DMCA includes putting in your real first and last name and an email address. I warn about this because paywall creators have shown time and time again they do not mind doxing people. 

3) Although some may not like having to do this, make a statement post about the recolors and how they are not authorized because of the violation of terms. It is important that the simblr/sims cc community be made aware that this person is violating a creator’s terms of use. I know some may not be a fan of this, but it’s not starting drama or throwing shade. It’s making the community aware of someone who is violating the rights of others. 

—————

Now I’ve talked to a few of the creators who have been receiving this treatment, and some of them have been reaching out and brushed off, some don’t want to talk about it for fear of being seen as a “drama starter”. And then there are a few that honestly don’t really care.

Anachronisms is a pretty good simblr buddy of mine, who I greatly respect, and admire. And it seems like a lot of her fellow historical simblrs/cc creators are a very good bunch of people who really treat the community well. I think it’s sad that someone would take advantage of people like these and violate their TOU in that way.