Is it normal for websites to copy your Steam Guides without asking for permission?

[FlemiFøx]

Hello,

In my case I have recently written two PAYDAY 2 walktrough-y guides on Steam. I've noticed in less than 24 hours two websites have already copied all text & images, word-by-word.

My question is: are these writers allowed to do this without asking permission?

[Yamaha]

Originally posted by Ons moeke:

My question is: are these writers allowed to do this without asking permission?

Ethically speaking, no.
Legally speaking, yes. (unless you have full rights over the intellectual property).

If the contents are copied word for word and published under a different name on steam -- there is something you could potentially do about it, but even then, you'd probably have to lawyer up. Intellectual property of this type doesn't necessarily give you full control over the content. It sucks when someone copies your work, yes, but there's really not much you can do about it.

Plagiarism such as this is pretty common.

[Thermal Lance]

Which websites copied your work?

You know... so I can add them to my ♥♥♥♥ list and never visit them.

[Nighthawk]

Originally posted by Yamaha:

If the contents are copied word for word and published under a different name on steam -- there is something you could potentially do about it, but even then, you'd probably have to lawyer up. Intellectual property of this type doesn't necessarily give you full control over the content.

Plagiarism such as this is pretty common.

If someone else is just copying a steam guide and reposting on steam word for word to get awards or some stupid reason without the permission of the guide creator, you don’t need a lawyer. You would just need to ask one of us as it’s totally possible for us to get guides removed.

EDIT: ONLY GUIDES IN THE PAYDAY 2 HUB
As for news articles, from what I recall hearing it’s perfectly normal for bots or interns to plagiarize the news in order to hijack a click for their site.

Originally posted by Thermal Pineapple:

Which websites copied your work?

You know... so I can add them to my ♥♥♥♥ list and never visit them.

I get the feeling this falls under steam’s name and shame rules somehow so I’d prefer we just avoid this question when google probably has the answer for you if you know what guides they published.

[RandomTurtle]

If they are allowed they're still scum.

If you have the energy to pursue this where you might not have legal grounds you can sure drag their rep through the mud.

Assuming the site this person writes on and steam guides both have publication dates, it'll be clear to see which one was made 1st. So the steps are:

1) Find the guy that's been plagiarising your work. On these publication website there will be an author, make note of there name or screen name.

2) Take screenshots/recording that shows that they're making clear word for word copies of your work

2b) If you want to get some bonus points look into the other work they've done and pick out pieces from their guide to search for. Like this you might be able to see other people they're plagiarising.

2c) You can even contact fellow victims for more information if needed. These people can also help with step 3b.

3) With all your evidence compile it into a document or video titled "[Name] is a fraud" and then break down the evidence, show the guides, and show the dates. If the person is clearly copying you this should make it very clear for anyone who watches.

3b) Get enough awareness on the document/video. With such an incriminating thing the more people that see it, the less likely the plagiariser will be able to get away with such stunts. If they can then much like Thermal Pineapple said, it's a website issue and the whole site promotes plagiarism. However that said if the site is full of plagiarists then it would want to distance itself from someone under fire for plagiarism.

As stupid as the above seems, it always seems that stuff like this is only ever dealt with if enough attention is on it happening as companies tend to ignore people if they are few in number or deemed "Not important".

[BlackRibbon]

Originally posted by Thermal Pineapple:

Which websites copied your work?

You know... so I can add them to my ♥♥♥♥ list and never visit them.

Indeed.

Share the sites so we can investigate.

[Thermal Lance]

Originally posted by BlackRibbon:

Originally posted by Thermal Pineapple:

Which websites copied your work?

You know... so I can add them to my ♥♥♥♥ list and never visit them.

Indeed.

Share the sites so we can investigate.

Originally posted by Nighthawk:

I get the feeling this falls under steam’s name and shame rules somehow so I’d prefer we just avoid this question

[FlemiFøx]

Originally posted by BlackRibbon:

Originally posted by Thermal Pineapple:

Which websites copied your work?

You know... so I can add them to my ♥♥♥♥ list and never visit them.

Indeed.

Share the sites so we can investigate.

I will not - I have not made this post to start a witch hunt

[♥]

in the intrest of fairness, since you included images, you could add watermark with copyright and your steam profil/guide link, you could also insert it in the text guide so while it would be annoying to some people, it would hamper those other people as they would have to read and edit everything.

hell, you could do what some workshop modders do and have copyright protection written on the guide assuming you do not change your steam name, then you could issue copyright claim and they would be able to tell its exactly the same guide and it was uploaded on steam prior to it, wich would force them to make thier own screenshots and heavily edit the guide to the point it would not be worth it.

[Yamaha]

Originally posted by Nighthawk:

If someone else is just copying a steam guide and reposting on steam word for word to get awards or some stupid reason without the permission of the guide creator, you don’t need a lawyer. You would just need to ask one of us as it’s totally possible for us to get guides removed.

Adding to what i said previously, and to clarify: i was generalizing, we don't have control over all community hubs and not all cases are as simple. For the most part Nighthawk is correct, cases of plagiarism of that nature can be dealt with swiftly, assuming sufficient evidence is provided to paint the reporting party as the original creator.
However it's important to keep the scope of the plagiarism in mind before reaching out to any of us. There are some things beyond us or even our supervisors.

For more serious instances outside of the Payday 2 hub, you can either contact one of the global moderators/support staff or use this form for a more direct approach (the latter only applies to steam itself and its affiliate licensors).

Originally posted by randomturtle01:

If you have the energy to pursue this where you might not have legal grounds you can sure drag their rep through the mud.

This. Strong emphasis on energy to pursue.

[FlemiFøx]

One website did mention my steam name. But that's it, all done behind my back. If they were to approach me id gladly give them permission to just take the guide word-by-word.

Feels like the classic case of "if I mention the author everything will be OK" - like many people are doing right now on tha Artwork page of this game to earn steam awards by posting others' works without permission.

[Yamaha]

Originally posted by Ons moeke:

Feels like the classic case of "if I mention the author everything will be OK" - like many people are doing right now on tha Artwork page of this game to earn steam awards by posting others' works without permission.

Pretty much. Though weirdly enough, even if you don't mention the author, heck, even claim the artwork as your own, but have no intention of using it for commercial purposes, you'd generally be fine. Go figure.

Copyright laws are broken and unfair, partly because the majority of us are not qualified to understand any of it, only those that have deep enough pockets to pursue legal battles or patents.

I should've went to law school.

EDIT: also, this

Originally posted by 󠀡󠀡:

in the intrest of fairness, since you included images, you could add watermark with copyright and your steam profil/guide link, you could also insert it in the text guide so while it would be annoying to some people, it would hamper those other people as they would have to read and edit everything.

hell, you could do what some workshop modders do and have copyright protection written on the guide assuming you do not change your steam name, then you could issue copyright claim and they would be able to tell its exactly the same guide and it was uploaded on steam prior to it, wich would force them to make thier own screenshots and heavily edit the guide to the point it would not be worth it.

The harder you make it for them, the better.

As someone who had copyright issues in the past i can say that it does help, as of right now i just don't care anymore. Too much time and effort <

[Innocent Bystander]

Originally posted by Nighthawk:

I get the feeling this falls under steam’s name and shame rules somehow so I’d prefer we just avoid this question when google probably has the answer for you if you know what guides they published.

Who said I intend to shame anyone? Maybe I just want to know where else I can find this author's excellent works...

As far as intent goes, exactly how does Steam intend to police external intent? What detection methods are being used against our psyche, as I believe they would be experimental and I have not consented to any psychological testing. Who in Steam actually thought this is something Steam could and should do?

Lastly, to what extent does Steam intend to control user's intent? What if a user buys and/or plays a game for malicious purposes? Would it be illegal or wrong, or even against some sort of policy, for Steam to supply a driving simulator to someone who intends to drink and simulate driving? I feel this is a pretty important discussion for Steam to consider, especially in the context of a great game like Payday.

Curiosity did kill the but satisfaction brought him back..

[Lemushki]

I do not know if this was happening before, but I found one in site X (we can discuss wich site in private, maybe it is another one) that credited you in the end. Just wanted to let you know in case that was not there before.

"Thanks to Ons moeke for his nice guide. you can also check out this guide from Steam Community. all credit to his effort."

[FlemiFøx]

Originally posted by Lemushki:

I do not know if this was happening before, but I found one in site X (we can discuss wich site in private, maybe it is another one) that credited you in the end. Just wanted to let you know in case that was not there before.

"Thanks to Ons moeke for his nice guide. you can also check out this guide from Steam Community. all credit to his effort."

I haven't seen that one yet, it's something I guess - I'm just hoping it is my most recent version of the guide.

So that makes three websites then that took my guide as I'm aware of.