Sigh. Some things have happened. Let me explain:
Just over a year ago, I made a fan 3d sculpt of a mecha from Dream Pod 9's Gear Krieg. It was modeled from scratch, by me, in Fusion 360. I also made an optional arm set and a weapon set for it. All in 1/56 aka 28mm scale. Something which hasn't been available since Company B ceded the license for resin models in that scale. I put them up on Cults3D, free of charge, as I was happy with what I had created and to maybe help out some other people who were looking for this kind of vehicle in that particular scale. I was utterly clear that this was a fan interpretation of an existing design in a different scale and no profit or ownership was claimed or intended by me.
Yesterday, I suddenly got a very aggressive and insulting comment on Cults, from someone I had never interacted with before, basically accusing me of stealing Dream Pod 9s 3d models. Some internet tough guy having a bad day, I assumed. However, within the hour two of the three files I mentioned above were removed. After contacting Cults3D about this, I found out that this was the result of the CEO of Dream Pod 9 sending a pair of very overreaching and aggressively worded DMCAs basically demanding, under threat of litigation, from Cults3D to not only absolutely destroy any ability for me to ever again share my creations there, regardless of if they were even related to Dream Pod 9 IP. But they also demanded from Cults3D, again under threat of litigation, to dox me and hand my personal data over to Dream Pod 9.
I successfully refuted the DMCA claim, proving that my files had been released 6 months before Dream Pod 9 even first announced any digital releases in 28mm scale, and notifying them of tone and demeanor of the initial contact by the DMCA claimant. Cults3D reinstated my files to their site. To prevent further escalation/harassment, I scrubbed the weapons pack, all original designs by me, of anything that could reference DP9 IP. The file with the manipulator arms, I left down permanently. As a safeguard and to conserve evidence/reference should I need it, I kept up the file with the mecha design itself (Oddly the one which they didn't DMCA??), but devoid of the print files, and with a short explanation of why it was still up.
After which, the sender of the original message chose to further harass and accuse me.
If they had just contacted me openly and politely, if the sender of the first message had properly identified himself as an associate of the company, we could have entered into a dialogue and found an amiable agreement. Instead Dream Pod 9 decided to accost me from a position of anonymity and then immediately go for the nuclear option.
What makes it even more painful for me, is that this was the first more complex, multipart 3d model I was sufficiently satisfied with, and proud of, to share online, for others to see and use. It was, to me, my debut as a "serious" 3d modeler. And they trampled all over that.
This all has utterly cured me of a 20+ year love of the Gear Krieg setting and designs as well as any respect I had for the company.
So I'll be removing what references to Gear Krieg or Dream Pod 9 have/can find on this blog.
I've done some other hobby things in the past weeks, which I may share in a future post. But for now, I'm out of hobby or online posting mojo for a bit.
I hope you understand.
Till next time!
what an asshole company. now I'm never going to buy any of their shit :-)
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI'm not a member of the company, I don't speak for Rob or much anyone else, but like you I give away my time for free to create and consult in its current and future content. I, and others whom have supported the company with our time and effort for a love of the IPs it has built over the years, have been made aware of recent events through your tweets.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenFirstly, thank you for your support of GK till now. You, and others like you have kept the company and their creations alive, diverse, and relevant for decades longer than would have been possible without your personal sacrifices and creativity. Secondly, this issue has been brought forward to the other members of the company unattached and unaware of these events, along with my own disapproval and disappointment. It will be discussed and hopefully addressed.
I can't reverse time to make this not happen, or force you change your mind and reconsider giving up on GK or the company in general. Though, I will say that things will be lesser without you, and others like you, and I still look forward to your future endeavours and creations.
Thank you, that means a lot to me. I appreciate it.
VerwijderenMan that really sucks. As someone who also works on adjacent stuff, I know it is a delicate dance between fan/commercial, and that sometimes things get too close to the line and have to be removed to protect IP... but this sounds outrageous.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHope you look at this at least in one positive way... the IP owners thought your work was an actual threat due to its quality. So keep on creating, even if you move on from that IP.
That sucks.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI found your blog after seeing the removed file you shared on cults. I was considering buying some of the company's stls to add to my dieselpunk/pulp campaign but wasn't sure if they would fit with my other models so I was really happy to find your version. Thought that I would be able to give it a try by printing your model and if it fit I would also pick up the official version to give the force some variety. Well, fuck that - now I won't be supporting the company.
Also, fuck that guy who doesn't understand linear time progression and was accusing you of piracy. I've been making myself some models myself and this makes me want to NOT share them anywhere anymore because some rando on the internet can just shit talk me and and have some company just claim rights to my work.
Sorry this happened to you. I hope it won't stop you modelling for good, as I really like your other work.
...if you ever want to talk to a fellow amateur CAD modeller - feel free to reach out (you can find a way to contact me through the link I left with my name :)
I've written a long comment, but it seems there was a hiccup and it didn't go through ( maybe because I cursed in it?). Anyway, instead of trying to recreating just wanted to say it sucks and I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope this won't stop you from modelling in the future and if you ever want to talk - feel free to reach out :)
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