All this was THE reason I no longer upload any of my vital models anywhere.
When we were still dreaming about printing PLA any faster than 60mm/s I created a model for a combination lock.
I based the design on an actual dial combination lock for a safe of the 60’s.
My intention was to provide a ‘copy’ of this lock as far as it is possible with a 3D printer.
Not even to scale for obvious reasons.
I was eventually happy enough with the function and reliability to share my design on a well know website for creators and DIY projects.
Got a bit of interest for a while but of course people move on and not too many need a 3D printed combination lock to keep things safe…
About 6 month later I found MY STL files on Thingyerse, posted by someone as his own creation.
They favoured the thief until I demanded he would show them the original files as STL is only an export format - I include screenshots of my creation files…
They took the model down and a while later banned the user after they found more violations.
Since then my files kept popping up all over the 3D printing world, including in contests.
Often the ‘creator’ changed minor and meaningless details like the walls for the housing or the dial on the front.
But the actual mechanical parts and their tolerances were always 100% identical.
I gave up trying to take them, took it as a lesson and gave up sharing my models, well most of them anyway.
And that was not the only model I might add LOL
I take it with a grain of salt as those using my creations without consent and credit given at least value it enough to abuse it for their own gains…
As long as the hosters literally making millions from what we create nothing here will ever change enough.