Press Release: Grid-Wide Corporate Logo Hunt

Preface

Since Linden Research, Inc. decided in November, 2013, that it holds License to anything created in SecondLife; this Contest will be held to find examples of Real Life Copyrighted and Trademarked material used illegally in SecondLife.    Since we as users cannot bring an action against Linden Research, Inc. for any matter at all (according to the Terms of Service), it is our intention to let the Corporations that hold the rights to license their Intellectual Property, bring Action against Linden Research, Inc.   It is our contention that since Linden Research, Inc. changed the Terms of Service to:

" Except as otherwise described in any Additional Terms (such as a contest’s official rules) which will govern the submission of your User Content, you hereby grant to Linden Lab, and you agree to grant to Linden Lab, the non-exclusive, unrestricted, unconditional, unlimited, worldwide, irrevocable, perpetual, and cost-free right and license to use, copy, record, distribute, reproduce, disclose, sell, re-sell, sublicense (through multiple levels), modify, display, publicly perform, transmit, publish, broadcast, translate, make derivative works of, and otherwise exploit in any manner whatsoever, all or any portion of your User Content (and derivative works thereof), for any purpose whatsoever in all formats, on or through any media, software, formula, or medium now known or hereafter developed, and with any technology or devices now known or hereafter developed, and to advertise, market, and promote the same. You agree that the license includes the right to copy, analyze and use any of your Content as Linden Lab may deem necessary or desirable for purposes of debugging, testing, or providing support or development services in connection with the Service and future improvements to the Service. The license granted in this Section 2.3 is referred to as the "Service Content License." "

That Linden Research, Inc. made itself a party to any Intellectual Property infringement instead of simply a "Service Provider", and therefore liable under the DMCA and Copyright and Trademark Law, for the abuse of protected Intellectual Property.

This contest provides YOU the user with a voice.   Regardless of how you see yourself, if you wish to make trouble; then you could become the Ultimate Griefer, with the potential to bring the Lab to its knees with the right picture.  If you wish to help the Lab and the Grid in general; you could be the Ultimate Benefactor, if you take the picture that causes the Lab to change the Terms of Service back to requiring permission to take license to anyone's creations.

Contest

Entries open March 1, 2014 at 00:01 SL time, and will be closed on April 5, 2014 at Midnight SL Time.

This contest will be based on in world pictures made by users and placed on a Notecard.

That Notecard must be sent to IPJudge1 Resident prior to the close of the contest.

Each picture on the Notecard will be considered one Entry, any Resident may submit as many Entries as they wish.

All pictures shall be of examples of the use of Real Life Copywritten or Trademarked Intellectual Property used on items that are FOR SALE inside web properties owned by Linden Research, Inc.  

All Entries must be standard pictures with the User's name and the Location taken.   Any alteration of the default data on a picture will disqualify it.  The Picture Description must contain a clear location for the subject of the picture Any Photoshop editing will disqualify the picture.  

All Entries will be verified by the contest judges, so they must exist at the time of judging and be easily found from the data on the picture alone.    Any Entries that cannot be verified will be disqualified.

There will be 2 catagories of entry:

Catagory 1:  Pictures taken inside Secondlife of infringed Real Life Intellectual Property covered by Real Life Copyrights or Trademarks.

Category 2:  Pictures of infringed Real Life Intellectual Property taken inside SecondLife and inside any other Linden Research Web Property of THE SAME ITEM covered by Real Life Copyrights or Trademarks.

Judging

A panel of Judges has been selected, each has been tasked with putting digits on a notecard that are normally included in a UUID.  Those Judges are assigned a number, and are not told who the other numbers belong to.   An additional Judge will be tasked with determining the order of those notecards, that Judge will not know who the numbered judges are.   IPJudge Resident will then verify the entries closest to the UUID numbers selected, and announce the winners.

Prizes

Category 1: 50% of the prize pool will be awarded as follows:
Grand Prize: 30% of the total prize pool
First Runner Up: 10% of the total prize pool
Second Runner Up 10% of the total prize pool

Category 2: 50% of the prize pool will be awarded as follows:
Grand Prize: 40% of the total prize pool
Runner Up: 10% of the total prize pool

All Entries will become the property of the Contest Sponsors.

The Contest Sponsors reserve the right to remove these pictures from SecondLife to make them available to any interested parties at the Sponsor's sole descretion.

Should Linden Research, Inc., or any third party tamper with the contest, tamper with the Judges, or tamper with the entries, the contest will be restarted and the event will be announced through the same channels that carry this announcement.

The following example pictures are ineligible for this contest, they have been altered so they may only serve as content hints.

Knight Macalroy
Knight and Knight Investigators

Two Second Life Games: "Star Trek Battle Game" and "Attack on Titan"

Two neat looking games have appeared in Second Life recently. One is a Star Trek game created by Loki Eliot. Loki had been "experimenting" with creating "Star Trek" style ships, and decided to make a battleship game out of it. The game pits a Federation ship against a Klingon one. The Federation ship has stronger shields and longer range weaponry, but the Klingon ship has more guns.

Second Life Newser may do a more in-depth article on the game. But for now,  readers can check for more information on the game on Eliot's blog (Click here). One fan, Natascha Rantt, made a video based on the game (Click here).

The other game is based on the Japanese anime "Attack on Titan." It was created by a fan, Moeka Kohime, and quickly gained a following. Shamera Kohime (no relation) did a good article on the gameplay (click here). To get into the action, one needed to get uniforms in addition to power swords and "3D maneuver gear" that allows you to run and jump around like a movie ninja.

"The detail on the gear is amazing, and there are quite a few animations included for flying through the air, falling, landing, running, attacking, etc. I've certainly spent hours at this place just honing my Titan killing skills ..."

 There was just one problem. Although the uniforms were free, the gear was not. So technically that was a violation of the anime's copyright, owned by Kodansha Ltd. And it seems they ordered to Moeka to stop selling the equipment. The vendor where it was available is gone, with the words "this product is discontinued" in it's place. The arena itself is still up for those who already bought the gear at MontSaint Michel (226/144/3901). But it seems for now no more can get into the action.

Last year there were worries about Star Trek items being taken down from Second Life due to copyright concerns. But a deal was worked out, and Trek on the Grid continued. Similar case with "Battlestar Galactica." Not all science-fiction producers have been willing to cut deals. In 2009, "Dune" roleplays were ordered to rename themselves and certain items after Trident Media group, which owned the rights to "Dune," complained to Linden Lab.

With Second Life residents finding out about the anime through the game, one would think the company involved, Kodansha, might be willing to cut some kind of deal. Ciaran Laval in her blog suggested that Linden Lab could establish a process where deals could be worked out between copyright owners and content creators, noting that Amozon Kindel had procedures for fan fiction.

In the meantime, the future is looking iffy for the "Attack on Titan" game, much to the irritation of the anime's fans in Second Life. Star Trek fans, secure in the deal made earlier, can boldly go and play Loki's game to their heart's content.

Bixyl Shuftan

"Six Strikes" Internet Rule Likely Installed Monday

By Bixyl Shuftan

Internet Privacy activists expressed worry when on Monday February 26, the "Six Strikes" rule was set to go into effect. Devised last year, the rules involve the "Copyright Alert System" set up by the following Internet Service Providers: AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon.

Under the system, copyright owners are supposedly alerted to people downloading their content without permission, and they can alert the ISPs to the people targeted by the system. The first alerts are warnings. After a few warnings come "mitigation alerts" which depending on the ISP results in temporary reductions in Internet speed, a downgrade in the service tier, redirection to a page for a period of time, or other measures. After six alerts, there are no more, but each supposed violation is recorded in case the matter is taken to court.





Critics point out that the system is imperfect, that in wireless Internet "hot spots" that an innocent user could potentially be tagged as illegally downloading even if he/she wasn't as open wi-fi signals allow for their IP address to be used by others. Also, there are methods for determined pirates to avoid the system, such as cyberlockers, streaming sites, offline swapping, and others. Then there are privacy issues. Electronic Frontier Foundation director Corynne McSherry called Six Strikes, "just a great big expensive system to snoop on and intimidate people" whom she felt were mostly behaving themselves. She called it's recording of violations, "a private copyright system, and it doesn't have the protections and balances that the public copyright system has." It has also been noted that the system's software to identify copyright violations was inspected and approved by a former lobbyist of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

In early 2012, RIAA was among those trying to get the US Congress to pass the SOPA bill, which alarmed critics who stated it's vague language threatened to shut down the Internet as we know it. It was in the months following it's defeat that the Copyright Alert System and Six Strikes was set up. It was supposedly to be enacted in late 2012, but was delayed by the damage from Hurricane Sandy.

Sources: The Guardian, Torrentfreak.com, Theverge.com

Bixyl Shuftan

CBS Says Trekkers Can Still Roleplay Star Trek in Second Life

On Monday February 4, following a few months of worry from Second Life's Star Trek community, CBS finally answered the question of whether or not they had a problem with Trek content and roleplaying in Second Life. In short, they have no objections, as long as no one is making money off of it.

The following letter was the most recent one of a series of exchanges between CBS's legal department, and Anthony Haslage of the IFT group.



Thank you for your patience.  As I and my colleagues have previously discussed with you, CBS Studios is appreciative of the fans of STAR TREK who dedicate their time and energy to supporting the STAR TREK franchise in the real world as well as virtual worlds such as Second Life.

    After our internal discussions, we can advise that CBS Studios is pleased that STAR TREK fans interact and role-play in Second Life, but objects to fans who create and sell unlicensed, real or virtual merchandise featuring the STAR TREK properties.  As I explained during our discussion, when users of Second Life make it a commercial enterprise to sell uniforms, costume emblems, logos, badges, ships designs, props, etc., CBS Studios is obligated to protect against the unauthorized use of its rights.  CBS Studios remains concerned such an approach may cause confusion with its current or future licensed properties.

    With regard to your inquiry about obtaining a license for CBS Studios or a sublicense from its licensee, I have confirmed that at this time CBS Studios does not wish to pursue a license with you to permit third parties to sell virtual goods in the Second Life.

    You mentioned Linden Labs’ prior actions against fans of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.  We are not aware of Linden Labs policing Second Life on its own initiative to conduct blanket sweeps related to STAR TREK as a result of our prior take-down notice pursuant to the DMCA.  Should you become aware of such activities, we would appreciate your promptly advising us.  In the meantime, should CBS Studios seek to enforce its rights against users in Second Life, CBS Studios will take reasonable steps to notify Linden Labs of the infringements with sufficient detail.

    We hope that this explanation enables your fan communities to continue to enjoy STAR TREK in Second Life.


So it would seem Trekkers in Second Life, after months of worry, can relax again. But in a meeting to discuss CBS in December, it was brought up that some had already made places in other Grids. Whether or not they'll return in another issue.

More on CBS and "Star Trek" Content in Second Life

Last month, Second Life Newser reported on CBS contacting Linden Lab and several merchants on Second Life Marketplace to get the latter to stop selling Star Trek content. Since then, there have been a couple more developments. There was a meeting among Trek fans to discuss the matter. Also, there was an announcement in a sci-fi group suggesting there would be no word from CBS for a while.

Read more in Extra.

CBS Cracks Down on Sales of "Star Trek" Goods in Second Life

Recently, Second Life Newser was contacted by a reader about a development in the Grid's science-fiction community. CBS, the owners of the copyrights of the "Star Trek" franchise, has been going after Trek items being sold in Second Life. We got in touch with one maker of these goods, in addition to a member of a sci-fi group, to see what has been going on, and how this will affect Second Life.

Read more in Extra.

Universal Studios to Allow “Battlestar Galactica” Groups and Content in Second Life

In November, Universal Studios pressured Linden Labs to take down items and sims with names related to the “Battlestar Galactica” television show, of which the studio owns the copyrights. Various groups began renaming places and objects while trying to contact Universal to make a deal.

Recently the Harrisburg Examiner announced a deal had been reached. Ntanel Swordthain of the International Federation of Trekers acted as a go-between with Universal’s intellectual property licensing office and various groups of Second Life’s Battlestar Galactica community. The Examiner stated that eventually, Universal issued a statement:


Thank you for your patience. After some internal discussion regarding Second Life BSG and the use of our owned intellectual property, we are happy to inform you that users may continue to create and interact with each other as BSG fans, so long as such interaction does not include the creation and sales of unlicensed of real-life or virtual items featuring our intellectual property.

We hope BSG fans will continue to enjoy the franchise in all its iterations, including Second Life.


The Examiner stated several Battlestar Galactica sims were forced to close before a deal was finally reached.

For other fanbased roleplay groups whom have operated with the ever-present threat of a DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) takedown notice from the owners of the story their activity in Second Life is based on, this development is good news.

Second Life Newser tried to contact Ntanel and one of the group leaders. Neither one responded to our requests to discuss the agreement.

Sources: Harrisburg Examiner, New World Notes

Bixyl Shuftan

*Note* Following the publishing of this article, Ntanel Swordthain messaged us saying he could talk to us on the matter at a later date.

Linden Labs Cracks Down on "Battlestar Galactica" Sims After Universal Studios Complaints

For the past few days, Linden Labs has been going after items and sims connected to the “Battlestar Galactica” television show. Linden Labs is doing so on request from Universal Studios, which owns the copyright to the show.

Linden Labs passed out a notecard to those whose content they took down, stating they were doing so because of complaints by Universal, “Linden Lab respects the rights of both Second Life residents and intellectual property owners. Accordingly, we ask that you discontinue any use of Battlestar Galactica intellectual property in Second Life. You must not use the intellectual property of others unless you have their permission to use it.”

Upon hearing this, Second Life Newser did a search for Battlestar Galactica-themed places. We found a few roleplaying sims still up. One, BSG-47, was reported the next day by New World Notes to have been shut down. But a check showed it was still up, at least the welcome area.

To get some answers from someone directly involved, Second Life Newser contacted Angelica Nephilim, one of the coordinators of “The Colonial Fleet” Battlestat roleplay group.
She stated, “Linden Lab has examined BSG roleplay sims to comply with a Universal Studios request to remove illegal IP violations from the grid. Some regions were deprived of functionality for the time being, others still largely functional. The one I administer, for example, has a request to change the name of the regions and groups as to not use the term "BSG". We have complied with that, awaiting Linden Lab’s approval to change them and are reviewing the sim for other issues.”

Angelica felt trouble with Linden Lab, at least with her group, was resolved, although would be more certain after the holiday weekend. Of other groups, she had heard they had “varying degrees of ... functionality impaired,” depending on the supposed violation. Some had sims taken offline. Some took themselves offline after things like vehicle rezzers being shut down or removed, “Others, like mine are still there, just not appearing on the map due to temporary renaming.” The renaming was all she felt her roleplay needed, though there was other “minor work” being done to make sure there would be no further problems.

Asked if this would cause some Battlestar fans to loose interest, Angelica answered, “Some may, but not all.” She felt this was a legal matter that could be easily complied with, “other genres have the tacit approval of the movies and intellectual properties they portray, making it not an issue for them.” She went on to say Battlestar sim owners were talking things over during the weekend “how we can address things,” and should have some answers from Linden Lab on Monday.

This hasn’t been the first time roleplay groups have come under the crosshairs by the company owning the show they’ve based themselves on. In April 2009, the estate of Frank Herbert, the writer of the Dune novels, went after the roleplayers in Second Life whom had set up a Dune sim and roleplay. The incident left others, such as the numerous Star Trek groups, wondering if they might be next. But nothing else happened since, until now.

For now, the Battlestar groups are making their changes, talking to one, another, and waiting.

Bixyl Shuftan

Sources: Harrisburg Examiner, Tateru Nino