copyright How do you report copyrighted items?

[DarkShadow Dagger]

If you see something on the market, and it's not yours but you know its a copyrighted item, how do you report it?

I looked under how to file a DMCA and there's nothing about reporting anything like this. https://marketplace.secondlife.com/p/Full-Perm-Animated-Wave-Dancing-Baby-Groot-Mesh/16277049

I know back in the day LL would have been all over this.

[MoiraKathleen]

3 minutes ago, DarkShadow Dagger said:

If you see something on the market, and it's not yours but you know its a copyrighted item, how do you report it?

You need to notify whomever owns the IP rights to it.  Then they can decide whether or not to file a DMCA.   

[DarkShadow Dagger]

2 minutes ago, moirakathleen said:

You need to notify whomever owns the IP rights to it.  Then they can decide whether or not to file a DMCA.   

 

4 minutes ago, moirakathleen said:

You need to notify whomever owns the IP rights to it.  Then they can decide whether or not to file a DMCA.   

I don't know why LL even bothered then to make you take that test before being allowed to upload mesh saying that you wouldn't do something like this. Like the average person is going to waste their time doing all that. No wonder it's gotten to be that SL if rife with thieves.

[Lindal Kidd]

DarkShadow, you are doing all you ought to do as a good citizen, by notifying the copyright owner of the suspected violation.  In this case, it'd be Marvel Comics.

It's not hard to "do all that."  Browse to this web page and send them an email.  They even have a category for infringement reporting.  https://www.marvel.com/help/contact

[Ariel Vuissent]

It's actually a US law thing. Ll is based in the United States, and as such is subject to US copyright/IP laws. In the US, the holder of a copyright/trademark and/or the owner of the intellectual property is responsible for enforcing his or her claim. 

These types of items remain for a couple reasons. One is that, as you say, most people aren't going to bother notifying, say, Disney to let them know about this story of thing; and people from Disney likely don't lurk around SL to find them. Another is that SL and the objects available therein don't affect Disney's business, really. Unlike an unlicensed figurine, for instance,  which infringes on the company's potential profits from the sale of similar, licensed figurines, most major corporations don't have a presence in SL. They're not trying to sell objects inside SL, and so don't lose money on sales of unauthorized merchandise. 

As a consumer, you can go the extra mile to alert the company who owns the trademark/IP on that character (and any other such things you see) if it means that much to you. However, the best way for you to make a difference is to simply not purchase these items. (And not post links to them, making them easier for others to find and purchase.)

(This is not the case for items stolen from other creators inworld. Please, if you see a content creator's work being sold by a different user, excluding gacha items, alert the creator as soon as possible so that they can file a DMCA! Other users selling the work of an SL content creator without their knowledge or permission DOES damage their business.)

[Callum Meriman]

Just now, DarkShadow Dagger said:

 

I don't know why LL even bothered then to make you take that test before being allowed to upload mesh saying that you wouldn't do something like this

They removed the test. There were just too many N1ke shoes playing Teddy Bear's Picnic.

Just now, DarkShadow Dagger said:

If you see something on the market, and it's not yours but you know its a copyrighted item, how do you report it?

Except in rare cases (like Micky Mouse, which is *always* listed with (C) Disney) characters are actually not copyrighted, they are trademarked instead. Baby Groot has a trademark for bobbleheads, games, and toys ( Trade Mark : 86563955 ) which would apply in this case as SL is a game.

As the others have said above your option is to report it to Marvel. Marvel list these details on: https://www.marvel.com/help/category/11

Quote

If you are aware or suspect any persons infringing on the intellectual property of Marvel, please contact infringements@marvel.com and describe the suspected infringement. Please be as detailed as possible so that the claim can be investigated properly. Please also provide as much information as possible on the suspected infringer (ex. name, address, website, e-mail, phone number).

When you report it, make sure you mention the cost of this is about US$0.80 as it will have a bearing on where they prioritise it. Studio Legal Departments are really overworked.

They will act, as they are required by law to act to retain their trademark... but it won't be fast.

Edited December 20, 2018 by Callum Meriman

[Lindal Kidd]

4 hours ago, Callum Meriman said:

They will act, as they are required by law to act to retain their trademark... but it won't be fast.

Entertainment corporations DO act on these violations, for sure.  There have been several "Disneyland" type theme parks in SL over the years, and all of them have gone away (darn it).  You can't find any "Star Wars" models or avatars, or not very often.  The same goes for avatars of Disney characters, and most of the well know superheroes.

[Callum Meriman]

Just now, Lindal Kidd said:

Entertainment corporations DO act on these violations, for sure.  There have been several "Disneyland" type theme parks in SL over the years, and all of them have gone away (darn it).  You can't find any "Star Wars" models or avatars, or not very often.  The same goes for avatars of Disney characters, and most of the well know superheroes.

"(c) Disney" has always been rabidly vicious in enforcing it's IP rights, to the point "(c) Disney" becomes a little bit of a giggle. Even the cutlery, crockery and napkins in the executive dining room in the Burbank studios have "(c) Disney" marked on them.

Quite a few cast member rules too, especially around drawing/using images of that famous rat. His shape and colouring is incredibly well codified. Pages and pages of specifications.