Hi everyone,
I’d love to get your honest opinion on this situation.
Back in 2022, I created a pretty successful print-in-place wallet on Printables, which you can check out Here.
Earlier this year, in February, I started uploading my models to MakerWorld. To my surprise, I found numerous copies of my wallet already there, many of which even used my original photos. I reported them, and they were promptly removed.However, there’s still one copy Here by LemonArts that wasn’t taken down. At first, I thought it might be a genuine remix, so I didn’t pursue it further. But last week, the model was recommended to me again, so I decided to investigate.I compared it in my slicer, and here’s what I found:
The triangle count is identical, meaning no changes were made to the model, and the only difference is that it’s been upscaled by 100.7%.
Naturally, I reported this, but MakerWorld rejected the claim twice, even though I cited their own guidelines:
At this point, I’m struggling to understand why it hasn’t been removed. Is it because the model is too popular?
It has over 100 boosts, which honestly should be going to my original model.What do you think? Should I keep pushing this issue, or just let it go?
Thank you for your response.
Yes, my model is now available on MakerWorld Here
However, in my copyright claim, I linked to the version on Printables, as that’s the original source.
The copyright claim seems appropriate for the situation. But on the other hand, I think it’s hard to win a claim when the original content is under CC licenses.
So the problem could have another outcome if you “just report” it because it doesn’t follow the guidelines of MakerWorld on what is allowed as a remix.
I’ve reported it as a wrong upload type.(In short, It can’t be a remixe according to your rules, then remove it ^^)
The original license may be important. If it didn’t allow copying and reposting you have a good argument but on a different site Bambu might not care so much.
Here, if I don’t want others remixing or even reposting my models here I can pick those conditions and would have legal legs if someone remixes and reposts here. IANAL but I would think you have legal rights no matter where you originally posted or where someone else reposted your model.
Good luck, though. The people who steal other people’s work just to piggyback on it for profit are pretty despicable.
I originally uploaded my model under the following license:
Creative Commons (4.0 International License) - Attribution, Noncommercial, Share Alike.
As I understand it, you’re allowed to share it with proper attribution (which LemonArts did), but since I’ve now uploaded it on MakerWorld myself, their version is just a copy. According to the guidelines, you can’t upload a remix with only slight variations.
You can upload your own model here, but you cannot have the other one removed.
It is therefore correct that anyone may share this model, as a remix or not as a remix. Sharing the model unchanged is also permitted. You cannot revoke this licence. But if you distribute this model, the author must be (appropriately) credited. It is therefore appropriate to add a reference to the source of the model (perhaps you can insist on this). In addition, the copy or remix of your model must also be placed under CC 4.0.
The only thing that is not permitted is commercial use, i.e. earning money with it.
Correct but MW guidelines require the model to be correctly labelled as a remix or an original there is no option for share. Therefore those can be takedown.
Extract from MW guidelines:
Following the platform rules is important, in order to ensure a correct environment for everyone. Failing to follow the rules can potentially lead to a temporary or permanent MakerWorld account ban.
1. Please select the correct upload type for your models
Models that belong to another creator but are uploaded as “Original” will be taken down. If the model infringes on the intellectual property of another creator, the account uploading this model will be flagged and can lead to a temporary or permanent MakerWorld account ban.
Models that only have slight variations but are uploaded as “Remix” will be taken down.
Models uploaded as “Original” but described as “Remix” in model names or descriptions will be taken down because they should be uploaded as “Remix”.
You can’t copyright claim a model you’ve published under CC0 (Public domain). You have renounced to all your rights when doing that. He’s not even obligated to published his remix as a remix, he can do whatever he wants with your file.
Makerworld has its rules, that’s true. But what was it all about:
Someone has published a model under CC4.0. Now he sees that it is very successful. Someone collects points with the model or wins a prize. How can that be? Isn’t that my model? I made it, don’t I have to get the points, isn’t the prize mine?
The next step is the question of how to remove the model whose free distribution you have agreed to. That is another matter.
What I mean is, you should think about what other people are allowed to do with the model beforehand. This does not exclude the possibility that Makerworld, when examining a model, will find that the model, although it was allowed to be shared, violates the rules of the platform.
