gdp's Comments

Shopping Cart Disco : Gee, Phil, Nice Logo

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:09:42 +0000

Naturally, my comments won't be short. I have a few points to address: This is Tenshi's blog, and she is free to state her opinions. She pays her bills. She is free to publish what she pleases, when she pleases - and she has posted a lot of helpful information in the past. I've no doubt she will do so in the future. But there is simply no point in criticizing her for posting her feelings on a subject, when the abusive replies are just as much based in feelings. I don't see this as her launching a witch hunt, simply as her choosing to point out some similarities in the logo. She's not asking anyone to agree with her, and she is not calling for a boycott of Rosedale's new company. The first people to cry witch hunt are usually looking for their own witch to burn. As has been stated, the heart and cog idea is not original to either party. I've seen different variations of it around the web since at least 2001 - I remember it well, because a friend was using the same concept for his avatar pic on CheetaChat. The <3 combo was also used as a staple of showing affection for fellow chatters on Cheeta, Yahoo, and AOL chat, as well as in The Palace. Probably a quite few other places, too. As far as intellectual property infringement, let's look at the facts: 1. Concepts cannot be copyright (or trademark). Only the execution of a concept can be held as intellectual property.The executions here are very different (outlined below). 2. The two images are copyright to their respective creators or to the people hired to create the logos. Remember that copyright is granted when something is first set down in a fixed form. These logos are far enough apart in execution that both could have been conceived of that it is entirely possible they were conceived of independently and without ever having been viewed by the other party. 3. Neither logo carries a trademark™ and both should. In the US, trademark can be claimed without registration by using the ™ symbol. The • (the letter R in a circle) is reserved for registered trademarks. That being said, both logos are clever, at least in my opinion. Phillip's has a clear heart shape, reflecting the love in lovemachine ( a horrible name in my opinion - it sounds like some cheesy come-on line from the seventies, "Hey, baby, wanna ride my LOVE MACHINE?"). The separated bottom of the heart represents L and is colored in the color of love - red. The top part of the heart has cog-like teeth and is in that metallic silvery color often associated with machine parts. It can also be clearly seen as an M. Codie's logo is well-executed, as well. There is a clear clog, symbolizing mechanism. The <3 can be construed as a heart, the mechanical part we need to sustain life. It's also positioned in the heart of the logo. The <3 can also be read as mathematical statement - less than three. Math, the life force of code. As to the suggestion of discussing the recent "skin scandal," hasn't it already been beaten to death?

Shopping Cart Disco : SL Secret, Week 65

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 02:31:26 +0000

It's my feeling that any impact is significant, but I'm glad you're insolidarity!

Shopping Cart Disco : SL Secret, Week 65

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 02:29:31 +0000

Aimee, I am sorry to hear you feel that way. I am really pleased and proud to be a member of Artist's Voice. There are many wonderful content creators and consumers involved who are working very hard on a variety of materials and events to educate people about content theft and what they can do to stop it. Perhaps you will be kind enough to look at the whole picture, and maybe set aside any personal differences. Content theft adversely affects everyone, and working in a bipartisan environment to put an end to it should be very rewarding!

Shopping Cart Disco : SL Secret, Week 65

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 02:24:24 +0000

It should be pointed out that not uploading supports both groups, which is just wonderful. Artist's Voice just offers more ways folks can participate, and a longer window in which to do so. Many thanks to both groups for the good work they are doing..

Shopping Cart Disco : [14:37] Hayden Palmira is offline.

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 23:50:16 +0000

I am so very sorry for your loss, Tenshi. It always hurts to lose a friend, and Hayden sounds like an extraordinary person. While you were blessed to have her in your life, she was equally blessed to have you. If there is anything at all I can do for you, please let me know.

Shopping Cart Disco : SL Secret, Week 65

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 14:59:00 +0000

#1 - You are being rude, no doubt. You have no idea how wonderful that person may be. Some folks are just naturally gregarious. Some folks just want to pay you a sincere compliment. Hopefully, your skills are greater than your ego. #2 - I concur! #3 - There is no failure when the folks are involved are doing it to fight on the side right. #4 - Amen! #5 - I am so sorry for your loss.

Shopping Cart Disco : Huge Cache of Stolen Content

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:49:38 +0000

Monolock, a simple inspection of my sim would lay to rest the rumor you just started. Nice try. And, of course, a peek at my Transaction history. But hey, for the record, if you want to get a little traction going, try posting under your avatar name! And for the record, it is Alderson, not Anderson.

Shopping Cart Disco : Huge Cache of Stolen Content

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:50:38 +0000

Eff, I am missing no point, I simply don't agree with you. What I stated about your anonymity is the truth, and nothing more. You are hiding your SL identity. Anonymity does serve to weaken some of your points. That you've been posting anonymously for a few weeks does not change the fact that you are posting anonymously. If you take this as a personal attack, you're reading too much into it. Previously, you asked specifically about how I might feel if I owned a store and was listed in this article as having my name associated with stolen content. I answered truthfully. You didn't get the answer you wanted - I get that. I can live with it, too. Since only facts have been stated in the subject blog post, these people have not been accused. A fact of the matter is that this post allows them to step up. Another fact is that their names were already associated with content theft because their names appear on boxes with stolen content in them - full disclosure on all sides is the only way to fix that. You suggest that some people in the article's list are innocent while others are not. Which are which? It would be helpful if you could shed some light on this matter - as long as you provide facts. Lastly, no accusations have been made in the article. Facts have been stated. If you evaluate the article critically, you will see that. However, a critical evaluation will require you to set aside your outrage. Naturally, content theft is a volatile issue. The base outrage should stem from the fact that every single designer listed here has had their intellectually property rights violated. If this were not true, we would not be debating. Conversely, no one has been slandered or libeled.

Shopping Cart Disco : Huge Cache of Stolen Content

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:33:21 +0000

Eff, I do own a store, two in fact. And a sim. And yes, I have given these questions consideration. I'm grateful not to appear on either list. But the fact of the matter is, if my name did get associated with content theft despite my innocence, I would want it out there for me to dispute. Because I have nothing to hide. You seem a bit sensitive. You may have nothing to hide, but since you are posting anonymously, you are, indeed, hiding your SL identity. Whatever your reasons, it does weaken your position. There are no lies being told in the subject post. It is factual, and you reading more into it than there is, is totally on you. Despite the nomenclature you argue, there are no lies. I asked for access to this merchandise and saw for myself. And if you cannot see that disparaging the author of the post for bringing to light all of the available facts of the case is mob mentality, no explanation in the world will convince you. This blog is not a court of law, and is not being used as one. It is being used as a reporting tool. Nothing more.

Shopping Cart Disco : Huge Cache of Stolen Content

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:19:59 +0000

Rogue, just because you have no conscience doesn't mean others don't. And just because some would do exactly what you doesn't make them right.

Shopping Cart Disco : Huge Cache of Stolen Content

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:16:49 +0000

Eff, it seems to me people disparaging the information provided are the real mob. And were my name up there, I would contact Linden Labs and see if they could help me prove that it wasn't me who ripped that content, and would, in fact, do everything in my power to try and get that stuff removed. But, then again, I am posting here as my SL avatar, which is searchable in world. I don't have anything to hide.

Shopping Cart Disco : Huge Cache of Stolen Content

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:42:08 +0000

It's rather disgusting to see the term witch hunt used in reference to this post. Point: The author did not say any of these people are thieves, she said they are SUSPECT. The term suspect alone suggests that further investigation is required. Point: Listing the names of the original creators of the boxes allows people to be on the lookout for these boxes, and to be on the lookout for more boxes of material bearing these names with items by other content creators inside. Again, more to the investigation side of things. Suggestion: Try reading what is written, and not reading into it before you post a reply.

Shopping Cart Disco : The Artist's Voice

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:09:41 +0000

Wikipedia is just a stepping off point for real research, and the best place to research Copyright and Trademark law are government websites. For US law, please visit the US Copyright Office http://copyright.gov and the US Patent and Trademark Office http://uspto.gov

Shopping Cart Disco : The Artist's Voice

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:08:00 +0000

Just for the record, "short words" and phrases are classified as "common idioms". And yes, they are covered, in certain instances, by Trademark law. I've clearly outlined the difference between what falls under Trademark (and Service mark) law and what falls under Copyright in a slide show prepared for the Artist's Voice group. Additionally, anyone can research these matters through the US Patent and Trademark Office http://uspto.gov and the US Copyright Office http://copyright.gov .

Shopping Cart Disco : The Artist's Voice

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:01:04 +0000

Let me begin by saying that I rarely join movement groups - not because I am disinterested ( I am not), or because I am busy (I am - in first life I'm a single mother of five, own four first life businesses, and am an author, speaker, and on alternating years, a political campaign consultant). I don't join movement groups because most often such groups start paying more attention to the organization itself than to what they are organized for. That said, I am pleased and proud to be a member of Artist's Voice. The work being done is important, and is not being covered, to the best of my knowledge, by other creators' groups. And because the group is NOT a witch-hunt group, there are no new victims created by the group. Indeed, the Artist's Voice group is led by content creators - for the most part, content creators have the most invested in world.. However, AV is as dedicated to educating and protecting consumers as it is to educating and protecting content creators. Consumers do not deserve to be hoodwinked by thieves and con artists - they work just as hard for their Lindens as content creators do. They deserve to be treated with respect, and should be afforded the dignity of knowing the products they purchase are authentic. The Artist's Voice council and its members understand that the virtual world we inhabit is created and grows though the efforts of content creators, but knows, just as well, that it would all be pointless without the consumer base.

Shopping Cart Disco : The Artist's Voice

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:33:35 +0000

Because the Apple logo use is clearly demonstrative, and is used as only a small part of the total Artist's Voice package, and due credit is given to Apple, it's use falls under educational, and such use is granted in Fair Use under prevailing US Copyright law and under US PTO (Patent and Trademark Office) laws.

Shopping Cart Disco : LL Stands Up; Trips Again

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:50:42 +0000

I get that error every time I report an item, and from the way it looks, it is merely a broken acknowledgment page. If you try to report it again, it tell you it has already been reported.