There’s a horrible trend that has been noticed on the grid and it’s this: people are stealing and re-selling skins and textures created by other designers as their own work. This is deplorable, and it’s THEFT.
The amount of time and effort that goes into making a skin cannot be underestimated. Skins are often pricey I know, but quality skins cost so much because you are getting a superior product. If you want the best you pay for the best, simple as.Bear in mind that the reason you look so good is that the designer of the skin that you wear sat and toiled at their keyboard or drawing tablet and painstakingly created the skin that has become *your* identity in game.The following note was sent out to the Calla Update group and I’m sure they won’t mind my sharing it with you. Please read it, and go and vote on this issue via the link enclosed. Already we’re seeing designers not releasing skin updates to the grid for fear of theft..that’s a terrible situation to be in, as always a case of a few spoiling it for the masses. Please don’t let this continue.
I know I prolly shouldn’t use this group for this… but there are almost 3 thousand members here, and it’s the biggest resource I’ve got. There are a ton of skin creators being ripped off right now, and it’s just awful. So if you’ve got a free minute, please take the time to vote on the jira for this issue.. we need to get as much attention for it as possible. You’ll need to log in, and click “Vote for it” on the left hand side. Here’s a link:
https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/SVC-676
Incidentally, if you want to read more about this issue I must point you in the direction of Honey Fairweather’s post here, because she’s surmised it a whole lot more eloquently than I possibly could. Incidentally as you are reading follow the links and you’ll end up face-to-face with the most jaw-dropping imagery. Two shops, one where the skin was created, and one where copies were sold. FFS if you’re going to be a sodding cheat have the decency to cheat properly, it’s not even disguised! Then read the interview with the ‘designer’ and try NOT to laugh/swear/spontaneously combust at the same time. I have to confess that I was completely ignorant of all this- not now. This is a huge threat to SL, and action needs to be taken, or else designers will just stop designing here and leave. Please visit the Jira link posted in the last paragraph and show your support. It’s taking ages to load but keep trying. We have to let LL know that this is serious abuse and will not be tolerated by the patrons of SL. Well, not the honest ones anyway….