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1. 

   “OSgrid is the largest grid in size with 19,333 standard region equivalents, followed by Kitely with 17,325, Metropolis with 6,744 and Lost Paradise with 4,354”
   DigiWorldz: 5,182 regions
   OOPs. Good article David

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      Good catch!

2. 

   Genesismetaverse has NOT changed its name to Gevolution… Gevolution is a new grid, Please get you facts correct before Printing!!

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      how about you chaps get a working grid up first instead

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      Since it’s a NEW grid how about writing new text for the website since what you are using is what I wrote for GENESIS!!!

3. 

   Nice job Digi! You see who had lost members? More will go due to you seeking out a creator who doesn’t even sell in OS. I thought you were only to act if the creator came to you? As I’m sure you have noticed, lots of other grids have followed you in banning Athena. Wait……has anyone? What witch hunt will you go after next?

   I realize the “illegal content” debate will never end, but I challenge the logic of seeking out creators. Metropolis thought they were doing a great deed for society but the fact remains they are losing numbers and it’s not stopping content from coming into their grid.

   Who’s to say that the Athena is a modified version of the SL skin? Maybe it’s close but yet not exact? And those who are all up in arms are now promoting the Ruth skin. Conflict of interest?

   DigiWorldZ has always been a well respected grid. People pressured you blinked. I’m disappointed!

   1. 

      Hi Lurker,

      While I appreciate your voicing your views, DigiWorldz will never waiver in our beliefs and morals and will always do what we can to protect the rights of content creators, even if that means we lose users.
      You see, our morals and standards cannot be bought, traded, or otherwise dealt away, we are who we are.
      I don’t really care if anyone else chooses to follow us in banning the mesh body as that is up to each grid owner and the moral grounds they each choose to stand on. We’ve chosen ours.

      As I’ve indicated in my google+ post, I’m open to any evidence which proves the Athena mesh is not a copy of the SL body.
      If the presented evidence clearly shows the Athena body was not copybotted, then I’ll retract my ban.
      I offered this challenge on g+ and thus far not one person has attempted to prove otherwise.

      You say; “DigiWorldZ has always been a well respected grid”.. thank you, I appreciate the compliment.
      We were simply presented with complaints reporting the Athena Mesh body is a copy. After telling those who complained that we couldn’t do anything until a DMCA was filed, rumors began to fly that we allowed copybot. So, Based on our standards and morals, we attempted to find out if the accusations about the Athena body were right as we don’t ever want illegal content on our grid.

      Some may point to the DMCA rules and say we acted out of turn and what we did was illegal according to the current DMCA rules.
      We did not set out to “fill in” a DMCA report on our own by tracking down the creator in SL, instead, we chose to seek out the creator to get evidence the Athena body was a copy, or not. It really didn’t matter to us which way it went, I have no favorites as you seem to imply in your post. If I had found weak evidence showing the body was a potential copy, I would not have banned it.

      Instead, based on the evidence we were able to obtain, we decided to do what we felt was right and get rid of it.
      Some may question the decision, but the decision was ours to make. We acted according to our terms of service which each of our members have agreed to when signing up for our services.

      You seem to indicate maybe other forces were at play here; “And those who are all up in arms are now promoting the Ruth skin. Conflict of interest?”.
      I see no conflict of interest. The ruth avatar is free, for everyone. The project had already been established and was doing just fine prior to our banning of the Athena Mesh.

      Like I’ve explained in google+, I really do think of all opensim users as one big family. We have some “bad apples” in the bunch, but overall, the majority of our community is strong, wise, caring, friendly and has high enough standards which prevent them from doing what they fear, or what they know is illegal.
      There is never a good argument for illegal content… none.

      Although you haven’t directly said it in your post, your words seem to indicate you are unhappy the Athena mesh body has been banned in DigiWorldz. I’m sorry if you are unhappy, but we really do strive to always do the right thing. Even if that means reversing our position on something if found to be inaccurate.

      I’m willing to “Play Ball” with you on this, send me proof otherwise which shows the Athena Mesh is not copied and I’ll be happy to unban it.

      You said; “People pressured you blinked. I’m disappointed!”
      You and everyone else have a right to your own opinions. If you want to think we blinked and it makes you happy to think that, then you go ahead and think it.

      What you don’t understand, is that we had many people leave our grid due to us not doing anything about the Athena Mesh body. These are good, well mannered users with high standards who were thinking we had “Gone Soft” on our stance on copybot content. Rumors were being passed around saying “DigiWorldz” no longer cares about illegal content, but that’s not the case, and if our banning the Athena Mesh body causes us to lose people who want to use illegal content then I guess they weren’t a match for our standards anyway and I’d trade a dozen of those who advocate for illegal content for just one who doesn’t any day of the year.

      I’m pleased you chose to voice your opinion as I think every point of view is important.
      You cared enough about the DigiWorldz reputation to voice your thoughts on the matter, and for that, thank you for taking the time to do so.
      In the end, only time will tell if our decision was correct. If our decision does prove to be “incorrect” and we should keep losing users it will be time for all of the good people in this community to leave, then what will be left is a group of people who don’t care about one another, who cannot be trusted, and have very low moral standards. They will be people who would steal from others, or willingly use stolen content for their own personal satisfaction or gain. These are the people who will ruin this great community if the rest of us don’t stand up and do something about it.

      I’ve been around since the early days (2007) and I’ve met thousands of great people in this community, but I’ve only met maybe 50-100 bad apples. If/When this number becomes greater than the great people, I will leave and hang out somewhere else.
      Until then, onwards and upwards!

      1. 

         You go on and on about some sort of moral superiority but may I point out that it took Digiworlds almost 2 years for this crisis of conscience to come to a head and was by your own admittance fueled mostly by Opensim Commercial creators complaining about it? I noted how in here and Google+ you actually sidestep whether the Lara creator actually filed a Dmca in spite of you almost handing her the filled in form to sign. If she had, then it is not an issue of proving to you whether or not the Athena is a copy but is between the creator of Lara and distributor of Athena. It seems safe to assume from your postings that you are not relying on the DMCA safe harbor nor even whether the Lara creator actually cares whether an alleged copy of her body was being distributed in Digiworlds. She may not have authorized it to be distributed but that does not mean she cares if it is. If you have no DMCA claim that can be properly counter claimed, you are going against your own ToS which states Digiworldz follows the DMCA procedure.

         Another aspect that I have come across is a question whether a “fashion” item such as the Lara or the clothes rigged to fit it are even copyrightable. R/L fashion isn’t and it would therefore beg the question of whether that would extend to virtual fashions. Perhaps the reason no Dmca was filed for many of these wearable products is due to them not falling under copyright protection in the first place.

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            doesn’t really matter does it its Butch’s grid. Don’t like it ,,Don’t visit simple.
            I’m getting fed up with all the DMCA quotes and experts.

            Change subject its getting very old

            1. 

               One might say the same thing about comments… don’t like ’em, don’t read ’em. The point is, discussions are for expressing whatever the commenter(s) feel(s) is important. Commanding people to change the subject really isn’t appropriate. However, if you want to branch off the current thread with a different perspective, why not post that instead?

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               so sorry mein fuhrer

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               because Impeirce if I branched off on another thread it would be off topic and if the other thread or comment disagreed with your view or one of your friends views it would be deleted

            4. 

               I used the phrase “branch off the current thread with a different perspective” because some discussions get caught in a kind of loop that regurgitates the same arguments, and a unique counter-argument (a different perspective) can infuse the discussion with some needed revival. Of course, if the topic itself is odious to the reader, it is incumbent on the reader to refrain from reading the comments.

               When you wrote, “Change subject its getting very old”, do you mean the subject of DMCA or the way people are debating a particular aspect about it? If you’re tired of any discussion about DMCA whatsoever, then by all means don’t read articles or comments related to that topic. Expect that those who are currently interested in the topic will continue such discussions to their satisfaction and there are no grounds for telling them to do otherwise.

               While it’s true that suddenly writing about surfing in a discussion about DMCA is off-topic, writing about related subjects, such as copyright law, or the challenges of being a small business in a litigious society, and so on, would be related discussion starters that branch off the original discussion; those would not be off-topic.

               Please also remember that all readers are free to post a link to another site (blog, website and so on) and invite readers there to continue a discussion, or start a completely different discussion.

               Finally, comments are not moderated based on my views. We have Discussion Guidelines. You can review them here: https://www.hypergridbusiness.com/about/discussion-guidelines/

               The Guidelines were created to set up a policy that is public and consistent. When I moderate discussions, I compare the comments to the best of my ability with the Guidelines. When you state, “…if the other thread or comment disagreed with your view or one of your friends views it would be deleted”, you’re expressing a inaccurate belief of what happens with moderation.

            5. 

               I Mean the argument presented by those quoting DMCA all the time in these articles it seems to me when it comes to Open Sim DMCA is a “Toothless Lion”, creators don’t seem to be interested in using it so whats the point.
               My View on moderation is that I have seen comments deleted in here which contain more basis of truth than the articles have reported, and also seems to me a bias may be involved. Both Maria and David write good articles based on the info they receive, but when one comments on a quote from a person mentioned in that article “moderation” comes into effect. Some people don’t like the contents of an article but when its some don’t like a comment it goes poofy

            6. 

               I hear and understand your frustration with the whole issue of DMCA and OpenSim. However, stating that people should change the subject isn’t appropriate either. Not everyone is tired of the subject. Some readers may be reading comments about it for the first time, others have an ongoing interest, and as with any controversial issue, similar discussions arise time and time again. My reason for commenting as I did in this case is that as moderator I don’t necessarily delete comments, but rather I remind people about civil discussion so that they will self-moderate. As is obvious, I did not delete your comment, but reminded you, and anyone reading, that everyone is welcome to comment… Boredom over a topic is not grounds for telling people to change the subject.

               I’ve addressed the inaccuracy of your beliefs about how moderation is done. In any specific instance of moderation that you wish to question, you can contact me at lawrence.pierce@hypergridbusiness.com. I will identify how the comment in question violates the Discussion Guidelines.

            7. 

               Fair enough, point taken

            8. 

               Da,

               I would assume people quote DMCA because it is the legal process in which these sutatuations are to be handled. You might want evict someone based on your evidence, but the law may say you need a court order do you evict them knowing what you know and if the court knew what you knew, you assume they would issue a court order to evict. This may be a bad example but my point is if this was something more valuable than a skin, there could be legal challenges for not following the proper legal process. It’s done and over but one could say twisting the legal process isn’t much different than copying something. Both are wrong!

            9. 

               what legal process? Do you ever hear of someone taking a DMCA out in open sim , which countries does it apply to?
               A lot of creators don’t want the hassle or to spend the effort going through this legal process.
               To me it sounds like another bureaucratic load of twaddle. If its not being used what good is it. Personal morals and standards are the best tool for fighting so called theft in open sim
               Maybe if someone did a list where DMCA is applicable that would clear the issue up more and what are the consequences of DMCA orders are they enforceable in reality
               Terry through info obtained decided to ban the Athena body surely thats a lot better solution than going through some vague legal process.

         2. 

            The complaints about the mesh body were not coming from content creators, they were mostly coming from users who were offended the reported illegal content was in our grid.
            The steps taken were to either prove or disprove the reports of the Athena body being copied. I could care less which way it goes, copied or not.. I just wanted to put evidence to the argument to try to resolve the issue.

            I did not ban the Athena mesh based on a DMCA report being filed.
            I have never implied the creator has ever filed a DMCA report, and we did not ban the content based on any perceived notion the filing of said report will happen, I simply stated based on the evidence we found, we decided to ban the content in good faith based on the fact allowing content into our grid which is reportedly copied is contrary to our standards and beliefs.

            As far as the fashion goes, I have no clue on that, but I do know that if someone creates content, in this case a mesh in the shape and form of an avatar body, the skin, the clothes, etc. based on their own original works, or based on licensed content in which they hold the right to use for such purposes, and they specifically do not permit unauthorized copies, then any derived copies of said material would then be considered illegal content copied from the works of another.

            As far as fashion goes, I’m not an expert nor do I play one on TV, but I do know what is morally the right thing to do in such an instance based on the fact a creator has created content, this creator has not provided a license to anyone for distribution of the content created and has not authorized copies to made of said content in any way shape or form, therefore the content created from the illegal copying of this creator’s original works has illegally been made.
            This being the case, anyone using, trading, selling, or distributing the derived work from the original content in any form is illegal.

            You say you don’t believe “Fashion” is able to be copyrightable, but I would say try this to find out.. Go to a real life shoe store and buy a pair of Nike Jordans.. this would probably be considered a fashion item.. then go home, find suppliers of all of the materials needed to make the shoe yourself, then setup a production line and start producing them, then try selling them.. even under a different name. I would guess the Nike lawyers would be all over you on that. This is essentially what has taken place with the Athena Mesh body.

            As I said, and I’m not side stepping anything.. I did not ban the Athena mesh body based on a DMCA filing and I have never implied that I did. I did not ban the content based on “Pressure” from any specific user, or any specific group.. although it was the pressure from many users who sparked my efforts to prove or disprove to put the issue to rest.. I banned the content based on my findings and what I felt was the correct moral thing to do.

            There’s no argument here, it’s our grid, it’s what we believe is the right things to do, and the banning is our right based on our terms of service which all of our users have agreed to.
            I say this to you and anyone else who may be offended by this to simply cancel your DigiWorldz account if you have one and move to another grid which has not banned it, or simply provide us with proof the content is not illegal and we’ll lift the ban… it’s really that simple.

            We’ve done nothing shady, nothing illegal, and we aren’t forcing anyone who is offended by this to stay in DigiWorldz.
            We’ve made a decision on what content we will allow in our grid, and if you or anyone else choose not to accept this, you are free to move to any other grid.

            In the end, if DigiWorldz retains only those users who think along the same lines as we do and share our same standards and beliefs, and those who think differently choose to leave, then it presents a better situation for both parties.

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               I wholeheartedly agree with your Nike example. However when I buy said shoes I can wear them anywhere, modify them as I please, sell them or give them away to who I wish. Virtual creators feel differently. But that is another topic.

            2. 

               Hi Lurker,

               I agree with you on some level about this. Apple for example, used to dictate what a user could do on their devices, you had to use only itunes to listen to music. In my opinion, that would be like a manufacturer of an automobile trying to dictate to the owner where they have to buy their gas, but many Apple users gladly agreed to those terms when they purchased their apple products. I get it, in that I realize Apple was trying to create an “Ecosystem” of their products, but in the end, the buyers were “Handcuffed”.
               I think one of the biggest reasons we see content theft is due to the content not being able to be found/purchased where the users want them, so they find stolen copies which can be transferred to where they are wanted, or steal them themselves in order to obtain the content.
               I’m not sure how to fix the issue, but I agree part of the problem is content licensing, but as the content creator, it is the creator’s right to choose where the content is allowed to be distributed and who is allowed to use it, therefore we as good citizens need to respect that, or talk the creator into a different licensing model.

            3. 

               The problem is, when someone bots and uploads an item to another grid, the uploader now becomes the creator. Yeah, it’s given away for free or maybe just used by a single person who wants stuff they paid for in SL – but anyone could slap a brand name on it, sell it as their own. Its like taking an original piece of art, taking of the artists name and putting your own on it.
               It would be a lot different if that body/head/shirt kept the creators info, kept the intended permissions etc. Instead you end up with a full perm item with the ability to do whatever you want.
               As for a Nike item – or anything else, yes you have permission to give it away – but you aren’t left with another copy. Should a person pay for one pair of shoes and get to make as many copies as they want with their own name on them?

            4. 

               The whole process is messed up…. I can buy a copy mod item and make all the copies I want to let friends use the item. But let me copy it for my own use and watch all hell to break loose. And if it was priced correctly it would reduce the urge to copy it.

            5. 

               You can’t let your friends use it unless its Transfer/Copy – or Transfer only but then you are left with nothing for yourself.
               Regardless – the problem is, once you copybot an item from SL (which is against SL terms of service regardless) it then puts you on as creator and strips all permissions the initial creator wanted. If you buy a full perm item in SL , then very often a creator still has a stipulation as to how much that item can be sold for for a min, can you use their advertising pics etc.
               Again, if you buy a stove – are you able to give copies to your friends? No. Transfer sure – but that’s it. And art. Are you allowed to make prints, and take out the artists name, write yours on it and redistribute? really its just the same/similar rules applying whether virtual or real world.

               I would DEF like a transfer/copy home irl 😀

            6. 

               Funny

      2. 

         I appreciate your comments.

         It’s not up to me to prove it’s not copied, no more that it was your’s to prove to it was fake. My issue was how the process played out. You say people left cause you took no action? Where did they go as every grid has the Athena body? You say you heard rumors about your grid, well I travel all over the hypergrid and I’ve never heard a bad thing about digiwoldz, until now.

         And DA, you be tired of people talking about DCMA, but it is a legal process. It’s not about personal beliefs, likes or dislikes. It’s point of law and in this case that process did not happen

         Ever grid in OS and in SL has suspected illegal content. It’s a hard battle to fight.

         Bottom line I enjoy traveling to Digiworldz and respect Butch and his right to do as he pleases. I hear nothing but good about him. And I also gets he owns the grid. However as another poster pointed out, he violated his own TOS and bowed to the pressures of others and did not follow the DCMA. The item in question is a mute point. The process was circumvented and IMO the is a start of the foundation cracking. Had the creator filed a DCMA then I got one would have supported the decision to the end.

         Wishing you the best.

         1. 

            Hi Lurker,
            The DigiWorldz Terms of Service were not violated and as explained, the pressure didn’t cause me to ban the content, but the pressure did light a fire under me to find out one way or the other if the content was legal or illegal.

         2. 

            Yes it is a legal process. But in Saying that Butch has been informed by the sl creator that the item in question is a direct copy of her product without her knowledge and consent. I think Butch acted correctly over this matter .
            It must be disheartening for creators to see something they have worked hard on and with so much passion suddenly appearing on other grid’s. I also agree on your point that if you pay for a product it should be yours to take where you want for your own use, but sadly that isn’t the case. We also have to remember creators are people too behind their online presence and some of these people have a loyalty (if you like) to the grid they reside on.
            One thing is certain we will never stop copy botting but grid owners like Butch can make a stand and say we don’t condone it.
            I applaud Butch for standing up and being counted

            1. 

               I’m not going to beat a dead horse, but Butch contacted her and only then did she claim it was a copy of hers.

               It’s really to bad that creators like her don’t come to OS and market their product. I would buy it here instead of having a an alleged copy.

               Next we could talk about grids poaching from other grids or so the rumor goes.

            2. 

               not on this topic line we couldnt