A discussion about Resources, Copyright and your rights.

This is essentially following something pointed out by our collegues over at hbgames.org, the original thread for which you should read here.

The company which owns RRR, Ientry, has the following in its terms and agreements regarding intellectual property posted on their website:

User Submissions Not Privileged
Any material, information or other communication you transmit or post to this website ("Submissions") will be considered non-confidential and non proprietary. iEntry shall have no obligations with respect to your Submissions. iEntry and its designees will be free to copy, disclose, distribute, incorporate and otherwise use your Submissions and all data, images, sounds, text and other things embodied therein for any and all commercial or non-commercial purposes. You are prohibited from posting or transmitting to or from this website any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate any applicable law.

While my own personal stance is a preference for non-commercial (or at least free as in speech, not beer) or "hobbyist" game, resource, music and so on making, those who feel differently and would someday imagine possibly going commercial would be good to tread carefully on where you initially submit your resources for either critique or sharing.

It's worth pointing out that RMRK is essentially the exact opposite of this above case. To quote our "About us" page on our wiki:

All submissions are copyright of the contributor, RMRK does not take ownership of any user submitted Resources or Tutorials. In submitting materials to the site you are publishing them via us for yourself, and you are responsible for the information contained in your submissions. They are your property.

I definitely believe that this is a much better way to work in the hobby/indie game creation scene than the above and other mentioned site's chosen policy. RMRK has no commercial interest in your property, and you will never find us claiming ownership over something you submit. Or, even chasing after people who then download and use your work for litigation against them using "our" (your) work.

Now speaking of resources, we'll admit that our Resource database has been a little dry on the update side lately. To help with this, there will be a new usergroup coming soon which users may apply or be nominated for, and this group will be able to add to, manage and modify our resource database.

A full script section and expanded/enhanced tutorials index is also underway. Why not start off 2009 great

Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions.

Why not just make RMRK Advanced users be able to manage the resources

That's good information to have. Thanks, Roph.

Also, I would say no to RMRK+ having the ability - namely because it's supposed to be a "prestige" position, not a "responsibilities" position. I think people who have the power to manage site stuff ought to be both willing and capable, neither of which is guaranteed w/ RMRK+. Also, with so many people having that access, nobody would feel obligated to update the site, which means that probably nobody will, like with the wiki

Why not just make RMRK Advanced users be able to manage the resources

Because SOOOO many people there are reliable *cough*

Oh, and anyway to add a little info that says who the creator of the resources are? I know it says the title when you hover over the picture, but it doesn't hurt to let them know who the creator is, for those pieces that require credit.

The adding interface allows the person to add text notes that are displayed under the resource 

Ah, yay You're so good at life, Roph.

I'm not anything advanced as far as authority or my position is concerned in the forums, though I feel as though I am, I think that those like me should have the same opportunity to be able to help with this, other than just those RMRK+ members. I also completely agree with our own policy. I'm looking forward to the new interface

I might write up a few basic 2k3 tutorials if you'd like, although my 2k3 knowledge stretches to amateur eventing knowledge and a couple of tricks i learned off of various articles .-.

And what can i say, i agree with your point of view on this. and it is very reassuring to know everything i post on here stays mine ._.

even if i haven't posted anything particularly original as of yet =O

wordpress 

would make this a breeze actually. and since we have quite a few script authors you could essentially give them access to manage their scripts since they would need constant updating anyway.

and get high as a kite on google

It seems RRR is now warning and banning people who have started trying to remove their work from the site and forums as a precautionary / preventitive measure.

My advice is clear out 

Ientry also owns this site http://www.rpgmakervx.net/

bumping this to say that the legal statement has not changed yet.
Even though IEntry sent an email to RRR "clarifying" their intentions and claiming to be looking into changing it.

i.e. nothing has changed.

Bumping this because of this::

*almighty bump due to laziness of creating a new topic*

Anyone know the game plan for the resources database and this board?

in relation to this::

Now speaking of resources, we'll admit that our Resource database has been a little dry on the update side lately. To help with this, there will be a new usergroup coming soon which users may apply or be nominated for, and this group will be able to add to, manage and modify our resource database.

A full script section and expanded/enhanced tutorials index is also underway. Why not start off 2009 great

Curious, since it's past the beginning of 2009. 

SMF 2 is taking its sweet damn time for a final release.