I noticed this statement in the forum rules:
”Additional Information:
Without using customer names or identifying information, Autodesk reserves the right to republish content from the Autodesk Discussion Groups.”

I was just wondering what the purpose behind this particular rule is?  It seems a bit broad to me and could encompass some things that I may not agree with.  For example, maybe it’s just to simply cover the legal bases if you (Autodesk) wanted to send out a free monthly mailer and it shows a few threads from the forums here. No harm or foul in something like that.  However, the rule could also mean that our (users) posts can be compiled and then republished in another form, perhaps a for-profit book? I’m not implying that’s the purpose here...that’s just a worse-case scenario.

Bottom line:  Since this rule has such wide implications, I just thought it would be helpful to start some dialog about it’s purpose.

Thanks in advance!

Jeff Patton
mental ray materials & blog | My Portfolio | My Website

Check the “Legal notices” link at the bottom of this page. Specifically Section 9, Paragraph 3.

I believe the same “rule” (and legal notice) have been in force since the days of the “WebBoard” - pre “The Area” (but don’t quote me on that).

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My take on that paragraph, anything you post becomes Autodesk’s. Period. In theory, they can do anything they want with it, including publish for profit. In practice though, it seems very unlikely that we’ll see the coffee table version of The-Area any time soon :P

Your tips and tricks (and everything else) are important to so many people, so I hope you find a place to settle into to share your knowledge.

To be honest though, Autodesk is just one entity you have to worry about, while there are literally millions of people that could just as easily compile all your various threads/articles/blogs/files into a marketable item. Maybe you should beat them to the punchline :) (Seriously, I’d pay anything)

MP

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A couple of things.

If you read that paragraph carefully, it says “nonexclusive rights” which, as I understand it, means that rights to the material are effectively shared. They can (pretty much) do what they like with it, but so can you. It’s still “yours” in that respect.

The flip side of this is that AME tend to get rather irate if material from the Area turns up on some other site without permission (it has happened).

I will mention this thread to the appropriate admin in the hope he can clear up any confusion or misgivings about the “rule”.

Max 4.2 through 2010, XP-Pro 64 SP2.
NVidia 8800GTX-768 (Driver 185.85).
Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz, 4Gb Ram, 4Gb Swap, DX9.0c.

The rule is somewhat vague and has been re-written since I orignally wrote it.  The rule is basically in place to give Autodesk the rights to use the forums as a selling tool.  Keep in mind that Autodesk may bring the forum up on screens at tradeshows, demos, sales meeetings…

As the Forum Administrator for 4 years at Autodesk, I can say that although many images from the forums were used in Autodesk publications, never once did they use one without the permission of the artist or writter.  I was often asked to contact the original poster to get permission to use the materials.  This wasn’t always possible and when it wasn’t, the materials were not used.  I assume that Autodesk has not changed this policy given how strong the company feels about copyright. 

If you have something specific such as an image, script, or plugin, be sure to list the copyright information in or on the document.  This basically states that you are retaining all rights to the image, script or plugin and the rules statement cannot over-ride that. 

Given my experience I would have to say that while I understand your concerns, I doubt Autodesk would misuse the materials posted to the forums.  Your probably a lot safer posting stuff here than you would be on any of the public CG forums. 

I will mention the issue of the clarity of the rule to the person who put the message up but personally I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Autodesk takes copyright very seriously and I doubt they would republish anything without your permission.

Regards,
Darv

Darvin Atkeson
Forums Moderator

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Darvin Atkeson 07 June 2009 08:36 PM

The rule is somewhat vague and has been re-written since I orignally wrote it.  The rule is basically in place to give Autodesk the rights to use the forums as a selling tool.  Keep in mind that Autodesk may bring the forum up on screens at tradeshows, demos, sales meeetings…

That makes sense, thanks for the explanation/clarification.

Darvin Atkeson 07 June 2009 08:36 PM

I will mention the issue of the clarity of the rule to the person who put the message up but personally I wouldn’t worry about it too much. Autodesk takes copyright very seriously and I doubt they would republish anything without your permission.

Thank you.  From my own dealings with Autodesk I can totally confirm how serious they are about copyrights (I’m speaking in a good way).

Thanks again for the replies here.  Always good to ask questions about things like this.

Jeff Patton
mental ray materials & blog | My Portfolio | My Website