The model in Thingiverse is not copyrighted, so there is nothing technically wrong with the person using it.
This is the licensing for that model.
https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
I don’t have much respect for people who submit to a contest and claim a design is theirs when it is clearly not, but it is not a copyright violation.
I didn’t look into the other models, but I suspect it is the same situation.
Did they change anything at all with the model? A copyright offers little protection, you are copyrighting the exact design. Almost any little change will get around the copyright.
Yeah the fine line, its essentially cut’n’shut shortened with a piece missing. Tacky job at that, at the very least its a remix without attribution which isn’t allowed on either count.
The sticking point for me is the fact that the thief sits pretty with no evidence that they designed anything and my timeline and screenshots mean nothing to the Moderation.
Someone should start an alt account that is all models of text spelling out the offenders’ names. Everyone tired of that ■■■■ can download, like, and collect the models on a regular basis to keep them trending.
Then, others can “remix” those name-models and post them to contests where the offender has submitted entries. Also, the names can be posted as “remixes” of the thieves’ models so that they come up under their remixes. Be sure to name the remixes the same as the thief’s, but add a “Version 3.0” at the end. (I know if I see several models with the same name plus version numbers, I’ll generally go first to the newest version.)
You can also stoop to their level and do the same for any of their models. Maybe add some text that states your opinion of those folks.
If BL isn’t going to wrangle all these bad actors in, you’re fighting at a major disadvantage. Using their own tactics against them levels the playing field. (I just wouldn’t use my main account.)
The ones I reported got rejected too. Looks like @MakerWorld is still condoning theft.
If your work is good enough to steal, it’s good enough to use as a way to promote your abilities. You should see it as a compliment and add it to your portfolio. Any potential employer/contractor is more likely to go with an accomplished designer, especially if their work is selling to a mass market already. Add a small watermark to your free stuff and use it as marketing.
Dishonesty is unfortunate but you can use it to your favor to create more publicity than you could afford pay for. You can even go as far as making a deal with the sellers to include your name in exchange for them being able to sell your stuff. This way you become a brand in your own right which is always good for future business opportunities.
So the thief who ransacked my house was doing so because I have great taste in goods? I shouldn’t be so inconsiderate next time and leave the damn door open so they can grab more hey? You’re dreaming…
That’s unfortunately the reality of life, not all people share the same morals and there are many more people who will steal everything they can for a quick buck. You can chose to let it bring you down or make it work to your advantage. As someone with significant business experience, I can tell you that this could be a great way to promote your skills with the potential to lead you to bigger things, should you choose. pretty much every business and service out there spends thousands on various forms of marketing per month to survive and grow and without it, most of them will die. Here you can get someone to pay that bill for you on a continuous basis, great deal in my opinion.
You can just turn the image into a SVG and extend it rather than trace it