Scratch

svyamana wrote:

When I published my stop motion mario animation, I got 3 luvits within the first minute. As of 8-13-10, I have 62 (personal best  ). But, a scratcher by the name of [renamed] has blatently copied it without changing anything about it or giving credit to me. He/she even changed the project description to say HE/SHE did the "7 hours of work" to make it.

After this incident, I would like to suggest that there be a copyright option in the screen right before you publish your program. It could disable the option of remixing, exporting the sprites, or even just downloading.

I am highly annoyed at [removed] actions and would like to prevent things like this from happening again.

Svyamana

Hey svyamana, blatant copying is actually not allowed on the Scratch website at all (see Terms of Use). You will probably want to flag that project down, giving an explanation and providing a link to the original.

As for disabling the remixing/downloading option, it is unlikely that will happen. Scratchers are encouraged to download projects to analyze code and learn from each others' work, a similar idea follows for remixing (which is also encouraged on the website).

As for the copyright option, you will actually notice that each project, by default, is automatically released with a Creative Commons License (which is available on each project page), and this license allows for remixing - while a Creative Commons license does allow for other people to download and remix a work, it does not mean that it removes any copyright that you may claim for a particular project (you still do, in a sense, claim some copyright to it). 

Last edited by cheddargirl (2010-08-14 02:02:10)

Sunrise-Moon wrote:

cheddargirl wrote:

svyamana wrote:

When I published my stop motion mario animation, I got 3 luvits within the first minute. As of 8-13-10, I have 62 (personal best  ). But, a scratcher by the name of [renamed] has blatently copied it without changing anything about it or giving credit to me. He/she even changed the project description to say HE/SHE did the "7 hours of work" to make it.

After this incident, I would like to suggest that there be a copyright option in the screen right before you publish your program. It could disable the option of remixing, exporting the sprites, or even just downloading.

I am highly annoyed at [removed] actions and would like to prevent things like this from happening again.

Svyamana

Hey svyamana, blatant copying is actually not allowed on the Scratch website at all (see Terms of Use). You will probably want to flag that project down, giving an explanation and providing a link to the original.

As for disabling the remixing/downloading option, it is unlikely that will happen. Scratchers are encouraged to download projects to analyze code and learn from each others' work, a similar idea follows for remixing (which is also encouraged on the website).

As for the copyright option, you will actually notice that each project, by default, is automatically released with a Creative Commons License (which is available on each project page), and this license allows for remixing - while a Creative Commons license does allow for other people to download and remix a work, it does not mean that it removes any copyright that you may claim for a particular project (you still do, in a sense, claim some copyright to it). 

<offtopic>Do moderators moderate Scratch projects as well as the forums?</offtopic>

I think so - but I don't know if they enabled it yet. 
..........................................
I flagged it... 

Last edited by Chrischb (2010-08-14 02:10:27)

cheddargirl wrote:

Sunrise-Moon wrote:

<offtopic>Do moderators moderate Scratch projects as well as the forums?</offtopic>

Currently, no. However, that may be subject to change in the future with possible future changes to the website.

Ah.

murpho wrote:

they cant put copyright buttons because you have to pay about $35 for a copyright

Actually, copyright is automatic, but for proof that the thing is originally yours, you can pay $35 to the copyright bureau or whatever 

murpho wrote:

no. you have to pay. just putting the symbol doesnt do anything. you have to pay for it

Hmm, let's clarify things a bit before people get more confused. 

Under U.S. Copyright law, a work is given given automatic copyright when it is created. Putting the copyright symbol is usually an indication as to who created it, but it is by no means foolproof. While one could assert copyright in court via automatic copyright, this could be contested in court (if it comes down to it); so, in cases of really important work, formally declaring copyright would be suggested (in which, yes, you would have to shell out some money to do so). 

(click here for more info).

I believe that the project has been deleted by the Scratch team. I don't think that a copyright button would really do anything, but blatant copying like that is one of the few things that angers me a little on here.