Stolen avatar won random contest!

[galonski64]

I really hope Neo can do something about it. I do think without harder proof I don't think so.

[VirtualMetal]

Just like to point out that its not possible for tnt to check if every single entry is original. Unless they have the time to view all of the pets pages etc then they couldnt have known that this avatar already existed. They accept all entries on good faith that the submitter is being honest and really created it themselves.

Having said that though, it would be wrong of them to allow that person to keep their prize etc, personally I think they should be frozen or at the very least banned from entering any contests on neopets. I cant create avatars but I never even considered using someone elses work, I will simply wait for the next random contest and hope it is something I can do by myself.

Glad someone pointed out that it's virtually impossible to check every single entry to the contest. As many have typically pinned this all on TNT.
Which I think is wrong. Completely wrong.

Also none of you know what will/can be done. So before you judge what they will do before they do it. Wait and see? They have been helpful in the past when people have stolen my artwork and such for contests.

Let's just hope this user who stole it is frozen. As I believe that is well worth a freezing. Well more than talking about ebay or saying damn.

Last edited by VirtualMetal on Fri Jan 28, 2005 6:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[galonski64]

Just like to point out that its not possible for tnt to check if every single entry is original. Unless they have the time to view all of the pets pages etc then they couldnt have known that this avatar already existed. They accept all entries on good faith that the submitter is being honest and really created it themselves.

Having said that though, it would be wrong of them to allow that person to keep their prize etc, personally I think they should be frozen or at the very least banned from entering any contests on neopets. I cant create avatars but I never even considered using someone elses work, I will simply wait for the next random contest and hope it is something I can do by myself.

Glad someone pointed out that it's virtually impossible to check every single entry to the contest. As many have typically pinned this all on TNT.
Which I think is wrong. Completely wrong.

Also none of you know what will/can be done. So before you judge what they will do before they do it. Wait and see? They have been helpful ithe past when people have stolen my artwork and such for contests.

Let's just hope this user who stole it is frozen. As I believe that is well worth a freezing. Well more than talking about ebay or saying damn.

I relized it hard to check everyone but what about checking the winners out or something like that?

[VirtualMetal]

But honestly. How? Where would you look first?? Every single neo pets page owned by people in the avatar chat? Because there are a lot of people with home made neo avatar pages.

[everconfused]

I agree with Virtual, there is no way for Neo to know something like this and there is no way for them to be able to go through every single lookup, pet description and petpage, as well as shops even to look for art theft.

As far as this specific avatar is concerned, if in fact it was stolen and entered (and won), then the person who originally made the avatar should be the one to write to neopets, give them all the details (what software program used, offer to show them the individual images including the starting ones and any editing/modifications, etc., where they have it uploaded - anything that can back up their claim of stolen artwork.

Then if someone else did (and it's not the same person who has more than one account and just was displaying the avatar - which is possible too) steal and enter that then yes, they should be frozen and the prize should be given to the actual person who DID make the winning avatar.

It may take time, no one knows what all the staff is working on. But I have seen people who've stolen artwork before disqualified/frozen.

I also agree that art theft (graphics or written) is much bigger (having had my graphics and bandwidth stolen by people on Neo) and needs much more attention than typing ebay or damn - those shouldn't even be getting a warning (especially since they are words on the site).

[Adam loves Hilary Duff]

I just noticed another thing other then the theives on cat_on_a_mat's lookup.

Cheat! CHAMPION!!!

I think all these things on their lookup are hinting they like to steal and cheat.

[Morningstar]

Although it is morally wrong to have stolen that person's artwork, it isn't legally wrong, unless it was copyrighted. And, because Neopets owns all Neopets images, a user would not be able to copyright that avatar.

Wait... does this apply to all artwork? *squints* Because it's making my blood boil if it does. It's very illegal. Theres been art thieves that have been put away in jail for many years for doing stupid... aggrivating things like copying peoples artwork and saying it was theres.
HOWEVER.
My understanding of it also is, that if you copy somones work but you SAY it's a copy, then legally thats allright. Because everyone would know it's a copy... hence why so many art students don't get into trouble by doing master copies in painting/drawing (I do them too, but it's a rather out dated technique of learning). *blinks*

Sorry, ahoteinrun, I should have clarified. I meant "illegal" on the Neopets site. Not what is legal/illegal in the real world. However, copyright law also applies to real world artwork. You don't have to get an actual "copyright" on a painting, drawing, piece of music for it to be protected under the law. You basically have to put it out into the public domain. A good internet site that explains how copyright law protects creative works is here: http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/catID/2EB060FE-5A4B-4D81-883B0E540CC4CB1E/objectID/612A23E4-4728-4B08-85B3072753D47721#BA4187DB-A1DE-4831-92B3E31BFDADF16E

I just noticed another thing other then the theives on cat_on_a_mat's lookup.

Cheat! CHAMPION!!!

I think all these things on their lookup are hinting they like to steal and cheat.

Huh? I am a Cheat CHAMPION! Doesn't mean I cheat, though. Just means I like that mindless game.

[stampsyne]

I love to cheat but I never steal .. except from the snowager*mwah ha ha*

*cheat champion*

[Adam loves Hilary Duff]

Although it is morally wrong to have stolen that person's artwork, it isn't legally wrong, unless it was copyrighted. And, because Neopets owns all Neopets images, a user would not be able to copyright that avatar.

Wait... does this apply to all artwork? *squints* Because it's making my blood boil if it does. It's very illegal. Theres been art thieves that have been put away in jail for many years for doing stupid... aggrivating things like copying peoples artwork and saying it was theres.
HOWEVER.
My understanding of it also is, that if you copy somones work but you SAY it's a copy, then legally thats allright. Because everyone would know it's a copy... hence why so many art students don't get into trouble by doing master copies in painting/drawing (I do them too, but it's a rather out dated technique of learning). *blinks*

Sorry, ahoteinrun, I should have clarified. I meant "illegal" on the Neopets site. Not what is legal/illegal in the real world. However, copyright law also applies to real world artwork. You don't have to get an actual "copyright" on a painting, drawing, piece of music for it to be protected under the law. You basically have to put it out into the public domain. A good internet site that explains how copyright law protects creative works is here: http://www.nolo.com/lawcenter/ency/article.cfm/catID/2EB060FE-5A4B-4D81-883B0E540CC4CB1E/objectID/612A23E4-4728-4B08-85B3072753D47721#BA4187DB-A1DE-4831-92B3E31BFDADF16E

I just noticed another thing other then the theives on cat_on_a_mat's lookup.

Cheat! CHAMPION!!!

I think all these things on their lookup are hinting they like to steal and cheat.

Huh? I am a Cheat CHAMPION! Doesn't mean I cheat, though. Just means I like that mindless game.

But since they stole the avatar (Thevies Headline on the lookup) and that would mean cheated in the random contest (Cheat Champion Trophy).
I just find it funny that it says Theif and Cheat on the lookup.
Since they are a theif and did cheat.

[jabond102]

Then mail TNT and see if you can get them to do something, just remember to remain polite and calm

You could be screaming curse words and they wouldn't no, all it is is typed. Well I side with the person who got it stolen from. They should win not that other jerk who steals. TNT CURSE YOU (AGAIN!)

[oliverrr]

I made those fake avatars, yes I am Little_DragonOliver. Everything worked out well, i have the avatar and trophy now!
<hr>
And the greatest news is that Cat_On_a_mat is in Iceland playing with Eskimos now
<hr>
Oops, i forgot that this board is very dead.... last post was on 30th january!
<hr>
And check out mah fake avatars on the same page... i have added a lot!

MattEdit: It would be appreciated that you didn't post more thanone post next to each other, if yuou want to add more, use the edit button. I have combined our posts.

[xjox]

I made those fake avatars, yes I am Little_DragonOliver. Everything worked out well, i have the avatar and trophy now!

Im glad that things worked out well, that restores some of my faith in tnt!

[Chakra_]

Haha. Good for you. I'm glad that TNT had done such a good job on that. At least they did not disappoint me once more. Nice avatars btw.

[jabond102]

Honestly, everyone could have done that. Do you want TNT wasting time to make a new random contest because he is checking to see if people copied. It is impossible almost. I actually like all this pressure on TNT. I have hated them for ages even though I still enjoy neo. So TNT has pressure, now watch, they will do nothing about it. I can gaurntee it. No neoschools ever so no problem solved ever. It is as simple as that.