What is a remix?

MakerWorld
1

I am a bit confused what is considered a remix and what is original. I posted this design recently: Terro Liquid ant bait holder by bampoo - MakerWorld.

A couple of weeks later I noticed that there was a “related model” to mine being Terro Bait Box - 11cc by mocana - MakerWorld.

Seems there are similarities and possible inspiration from my design but there have been some changes made. I did check with MakerWorld to see if this should have been tagged as a remix but they provided a canned response of no.

Can anyone shed some light what is considered a remix?

2

While they may have searched and seen yours, it’s clear that it’s an entirely different model. A remix would be if they downloaded yours, imported it into their software and changed it in any way.

Also, rules state that in order to upload as a remix. It must have significant changes. So say someone downloads your box, and adds a text to the top. This would not qualify as a remix. But if they replaced the top entirely by designing their own hinged lid that can lock shut for example. That may qualify. There is no hard set definition for what BL classifies as significant though, that I am aware of.

1 Like
3

A remix would be based on your design, either by using your work or recreating your design.

If someone came up with their own design with the same subject or theme as yours, that is not a remix, that is a brand new design.

If you reinvent the wheel and someone copies your wheel, that is a copyright or licence issue.

In this case, your model and theirs are very different. The fact that they solve the problem in two different ways means it clearly isn’t a remix.

Remember, no one owns the rights to solve a problem, even if you got there first.

Some simple examples:

  • Creating a keyring doesn’t give you exclusive rights to make all keyrings
  • Adding a Marvel logo to a keyring doesn’t give you exclusive rights to Marvel keyrings
  • Adding a marvel logo puts you in the dangerous position of using the legal owners copyright & trademark infringement
  • Creating a new hinge that has never been designed before and sharing it with the world would be utterly stupid
  • Your new hinge went into the public domain as you forgot to copyright it
  • You create a storage system for plasters doesn’t give you the exclusive rights for all plaster storage solutions
4

A remix is an edit of your exact model, not an idea. If the person added text to your model that would be a remix. but this is a different model. Imagine if each of the headphone stands had to declare remix. Who even invented headphone stands? I’m sure if I search hard enough I can prove your idea isn’t the first of its kind either. The point is no it is not a remix.

1 Like
5

Spambots/alts are currently using the remix classification as a way to fly under the radar of the copyright claims. Any claim against a remixed model gets pointed towards the model it claims to be remixing and if that model is valid the claim gets denied.

1 Like
6

What? I’m not sure I understand this correctly.

So bots are creating remixes because when there are reports on a remix, MW only check if the original model is legit and they don’t check the remix itself?!

7

Yes if you copyright claim against a remix it points the review process at the original model that the remix is based on.

8

So weird. That make sense to check to model from which the remix is based from but without checking also the remix itself that makes no sense.