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Quirckey Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:05am
Artworks and Guides copyright rules!
Why is there copyright rules covering the Steam guides, artworks, workshop etc? As far as I know you don't need to follow this rule if you are not using the content for earning money.
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Originally posted by Zekiran:
I'm pointing out that what you think you know about copyright is ... wrong. And that even if you don't understand it, the laws still apply to you.

Every single piece of artwork, music, etc - is COVERED by copyright law. Period. End Of. It does not matter AT ALL whether it is being used for profit or not, if the person posting something *doesn't have expressly granted permission from the original author/owner* then they are literally breaking copyright law by posting it.

The only difference with profit or not is whether a law firm will take a case up against someone for using it. That's ALL the difference.

I understand copyright from many, MANY angles, please believe me when I say these things.

Why Steam has to also enforce it? Because that's their job. Guides and workshop items are posted on their service. Services CAN and HAVE been sued by original copyright holders, AND those holders *have won* against the services.

Harlan Ellison won vs AOL. The guy who created that stupid frog cartoon thing that nazis use here as avatars WON against Steam for hosting those images, thus the have to come down.

It's to preserve legality for Steam, as well as remind users that if they didn't make something entirely, *they do not have the right to post it* nor copy/paste it, or 'alter it 10%'...
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Showing 1-15 of 96 comments
Cherrycat Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:15am 
The world is changing, things that used to be ok are not ok anymore and it's getting worse ever year.

Fair use was nice while it lasted.
#1
Theblaze Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:18am 
Originally posted by 🐉 Chesmu ☠:
[...] As far as I know you don't need to follow this rule if you are not using the content for earning money.

You still have to follow these rules for non-commercial purposes.
#2
Xaelath Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:19am 
Guides normally has a credits, taking it from somewhere and copypasting it without asking is same as stealing.

Artworks stealing have been a big deals though.

Some games like Dota/CSGO need copyright rules as the content can be used to earn money from competition.
#3
J4MESOX4D Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:28am 
Originally posted by 🐉 Chesmu ☠:
As far as I know you don't need to follow this rule if you are not using the content for earning money.
That may be applicable to some degree on some sites but not here. Even when uploading artwork, you have to tick a box that states YOU created the artwork yourself.
#4
MaxphyX Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:29am 
good
#5
Cherrycat Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:31am 
If you want to blame anyone, blame the awful EU superstate that recently cracked down on fair use laws.
#6
Satoru Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:33am 
Originally posted by 🐉 Chesmu ☠:
Why is there copyright rules covering the Steam guides, artworks, workshop etc? As far as I know you don't need to follow this rule if you are not using the content for earning money.

Copyright applies regardless if you’re earning money or not. The copyright holder has rights for how their work is used and you need their permission to use it .
#7
Start_Running Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:37am 
Originally posted by 🐉 Chesmu ☠:
Why is there copyright rules covering the Steam guides, artworks, workshop etc? As far as I know you don't need to follow this rule if you are not using the content for earning money.
Actually copyright has always required those rules even if you're not making money. People's understanding of the rules tends to be partial at best. Much like the whole thing aboyut getting water from a cactus, and sucking the poison out of a snake bite.
#8
Angel Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:38am 
Originally posted by Theblaze:
You still have to follow these rules for non-commercial purposes.
^ This.

and

Originally posted by Satoru:
Copyright applies regardless if you’re earning money or not. The copyright holder has rights for how their work is used and you need their permission to use it .
^ Also this.
#9
Quirckey Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:39am 
Oh, so these rules differ from place to place, right?
#10
J4MESOX4D Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:45am 
Originally posted by 🐉 Chesmu ☠:
Oh, so these rules differ from place to place, right?
A DMCA can be issued anywhere. Some sites just aren't explicit or don't monitor content very well. Valve is not one of those https://steamcommunity.com/dmca/create/
#11
Satoru Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:48am 
Originally posted by 🐉 Chesmu ☠:
Oh, so these rules differ from place to place, right?

Copyright rules apply on all sites the exact same way.

If you use someone’s copyright without their permission you can be subject to civil action via copyright law or the DMCA
#12
Quirckey Jul 21, 2019 @ 7:07am 
Hmm, Thanks for info.
#13
Psychedelic Adventurer Jul 21, 2019 @ 7:08am 
This is a pretty absurd hill to die on. Copyright law does not just enclose situations where monetary value can be proved. Steam generally enforces a very ethical model on copyright abuse. If the assets can be proven to be someone eles', and the uploader has not referenced them, that is generally enough grounds to remove the guide if the original creators asks for a takedown.

And that's coming from someone who has spent a considerable amount of time on my guides, all of which use external assets.


Last edited by Psychedelic Adventurer; Jul 21, 2019 @ 7:10am
#14
Zekiran Jul 21, 2019 @ 10:37am 
"as far as you know" would be false. Ignorance of the rules doesn't mean you're somehow above or beyond their scope.
#15
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Date Posted: Jul 21, 2019 @ 6:05am
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