Someone downloaded my model and uploaded it as his own. Whats the review process

[Joshua Joyner]

Whats the process of the reviewers when this happens? Im a little upset because the guy gave me a 1 star review and then stole my model and changed the texture of the roof and added 2 gazeebos. I know that it probably wont get accepted due to entourage but I just want to know the process. I have left all of my models available to download but I am reconsidering after this. I think at least if your model is downloaded that you should still recieve top credit if the majority of the work was done by you. I am providing a link to my model versus his and let me know if you think it is a blatent forgery. I dont normally quibble over things like this but he gave me a 1 star rating. My model of Madison County Courthouse http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=ee582a2887f20a956e17acc67a334d25 Now his http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=f9de45b947ec5e7e8432fded1a88a241 I will add that he probably got upset because he created a previous version of the courthouse here http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=6af05b8ff2d08468432fded1a88a241 as you can see the previous version included the whole square. What should be the process when his forgery get reviewed? Thanks, Jay

[Gravitar]

I think there is a place to Report it if it gets accepted called "Report a Problem." Hope this helps! -Gravitar

[Keshan Perera]

You can also do " Report a policy violation ". That is a good option. Hope some Google Guide see your post.

[Joshua Joyner]

Yes both of you are absolutely right. I appreciate both of your responces. I really just wanted to open it up for discussion because it seems it is a big problem with a few modelers using Sketchup. I posted this in another forum and a friend gave me the link to post on this forum in hope of a Google Guide seeing this post. I didnt want to sound too serious about it because I have a normal life outside of modeling. I model with Sketchup for fun but something just aggrivated me about this incident. It seemed a bit personal in my opinion and I wanted to vent my frustration and see what experiences others have had with such problems and how they have dealt with it.

 

Thanks,

                  Jay

 

[Scorpius]

If Google don't change rule only protection is to lock model from downloading.

This is what I got once.

Thank you for your note.

According to the terms of service and policy of the 3D Warehouse, another
user is allowed to download your model and update it, then send it to be
 considered for the 3D Buildings layer,

....

 Sincerely,

- The 3D Warehouse Appeals Team

[Joshua Joyner]

Scorpius,

That is interesting. Doesnt seem very fair to the person who originally produced the model. I would think the reviewers would take into account how much the person who downloaded the model and "updated" it actually updated instead of changing things slightly to recieve credit where it isnt do. Very interesting post.

 

    Thanks,

                  Jay

 

[mjdog]

Two questions related to this thread:

1.  How exactly do I lock my models?   I assumed that for each model I click the Access link (above the image of the model) and if the checkbox that say "Make this model publicly-editable" is UNCHECKED, then someone couldn't download it.  But I was apparently wrong.   So, how do you do this?

2. One of my favorite models is the Elsinor Theater in my city of Salem.  It took a long time to model.  I noticed today that someone downloaded my model, added the interior stage, and re-uploaded the model to the 3D warehouse (but not to the Google Earth layer). Click here to see it.   He did list me as a contributor, although he/she never contacted me, they just downloaded and change it.   I would have liked this person to have said something in the description like "Exterior modeling by MikeJ, interior stage by cnnrward".     Was this a policy violation?

[Grant M.]

To lock models, go to Access, You keep  "Make this model publicly-editable" unchecked, and you make sure that  Only the owner and collaborators may download the model  IS checked, and the model should be locked. -Gravitar

[Joshua Joyner]

Well it look as if my fears have come true. I checked my model today before the next live update and sure enough it says my model wasnt accepted because a better model exists. I have appealed the judgement to see what they say. Google Guides can you give me some feedback??? Im suprised no Google Guide has provided info on this subject. It  seems a bit unfair but I havent waited for the appeal process yet. The thought that that model theif uploaded my model as his own really ticks me off though.

[Google Guide Alex]

Hi Joshua, 

You're correct, the copy of your model is not acceptable for Google Earth because of the gazebo additions. It looks like your appeal has been fielded and responded to. 

The subject of people downloading models, making updates and re-uploading is a hot topic. We've heard many feature requests along the lines of inscribing some attribution to a model so the original creator maintains credit even if the model is updated. Prioritizing and implementing such a feature request would be handled by Trimble. I've forwarded on to the Trimble team the issue of lack of attribution, and several feature suggestions we've heard in the forum. 

I hope this helps,

Alex

[Joshua Joyner]

Thanks Alex! Very fast on the appeal and I am pleased. I'm not against anyone creating something better and I would encourage it so the 3d buildings layer can be the best it can be. This issue only arose with me recently as I had no idea it could happen and the guy was a bit rude about it. On to the trimble subject... Everything has been made pretty clear except how we who really only use sketchup for modeling buildings for Google earth are going to be affected. I've read all about the licences and such but mainly I would want to know if the process we are so use to now as far as uploading to t3d warehouse, review process, then inclusion to GE will be changed. If changed at all. But I digress... Thanks for replying so quickly on the other issue. I hope that the other issue is resolved and some type of copyright is put into place or accreditation is applied when models are downloaded. I believe leaving models open for download allows folks to learn but occasionally you get those that abuse it.