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[Voodoo_Operator]

Despite our rules against proper permissions and crediting for models, we have recently had a lot of trouble with modmakers using models from the Google 3D Warehouse and taking the credit for them. In turn, some users start acting as vigilantes, others claim they are the actual owners of the models, and conflict ensues.

Therefore, starting today, MODELS FROM THE GOOGLE 3D WAREHOUSE ARE NO LONGER ALLOWED.

The Big Picture:

-Starting now, any new mod topic or post that contains a model from the 3D Warehouse will result in the immediate suspension of the topic for two days. If the user does not contact a moderator within those two days with a verifiable claim that he's the author of the model (See "The Fine Print" below), the topic will be closed and a warning will be issued to the user. Any further posting of a 3DWH model by that user will result in a ban.

-Mod topics that currently hold models from the 3D Warehouse will have ten (10) days, starting now, to remove all references to these models. After this deadline, topics still containing such models will be closed. However, no warnings will be issued.

The Fine Print:

While we strongly discourage the use of SketchUp to make models for Emergency, that tool can still be used, provided that you can build your own models. We are only restricting the use of models from other people, whose work gets misappropriated.

We are aware that there are a few modders out there who are advanced users of SketchUp and who might have posted their work on the 3D Warehouse already. To enforce this new rule, we will have to proceed with the following method in order to ensure that these models are indeed your own work:

1- If only a single copy of the model exists on the 3DWH, we will send a message to the model owner's account (which should be you), asking to confirm your identity on EMP. If no reply is received within 5 days, you are considered to have denied ownership of the model. Your topic will therefore be closed and you will be issued a warning. Additionally, if we receive a reply from the model owner claiming that he doesn't know you, you will be banned.

2- If many copies of the model exist, we will verify the date on which the models were posted, and proceed to Step 1 for the earliest model. This means that we will not accept the modification of an existing 3DWH model, even if you post it there under your own name.

3- There will be no exceptions to the two rules posted above, so make sure to avoid sketchy situations.

As for Vigilantes...

Moderators have the following icon under their name:

If you do not have that icon under your name, then you're not a moderator. This means that you do not have to and shall not under any circumstances do a moderator's job (Consider yourself lucky, it's a real chore). In other words, if you notice model theft (or any other infraction to the TOS), the only thing you can (and should) do is use the "Report Post" button and provide as much information as possible so that we can deal with the culprit.

Any other attempt to rectify the situation yourself will result in a warning, and repeated attempts to play moderator will be met with a ban.

We're sorry for the inconvenience this may cause some of you. However, we believe in mods created through real skills and hard work, not theft of someone else's efforts.