Piracy and Copyright Violation in Industry

[ashras99]

Hello Everyone,

Today i like to talk about 2 very serious issues, which is just a joke for few but loss/detrimental to business. The 2 things are Piracy and Copyright infringement.

After getting several daily mails about piracy, poor education, non-availability of faculties, wrong commitments by education institutes. I planned for some operation where I will go as a student and inquire about the course and commitments but before moving will reveal the identity. So, don't look like a fraud person. But the point is how I will get an idea of everything within few minutes of talking. Frankly speaking not much but what i got is really shocking.

a) When I visit one branch of XYZ Animation Academy, India (big institute, name changed if required then reveal it here) after explaining everything they said in the end, We will also give the copy of Autodesk Maya, Max and Motionbuilder - so you can also practice at home at your own convenience. Anyone will say WOW, but i said you mean pirated version?

They said, NO. We have the license of the software and rights to distribute. So, actually that's not the pirated version. I said if you have one license then you can't even run on 2 machines but they said why you are doing argument, things not work like this. So, I revealed the identity but they don't know about CGArena and said may be you are not updated or don't have the knowledge that NASSCOM, Autodesk allow us to give the copies to users. I said okay, I will update myself and move out of that branch. (crying from heart because Autodesk send me all press releases then why they miss out this one)

But that's not all. I decide to investigate further because yesterday I watched a Sherlock Holmes movie. So, I tried to call Pankaj Kedia, Autodesk M&E Regional Manager, India but currently he is not available to comment.

So, I try to call the Regional Head of that Institute but that was in some Seminar and can't attend the call. So, I called on the Head Office of the XYZ Animation Academy and talked to the High Profile Person named Vikas, Delhi (correct name), after listening everything, I think he will call the branch and asked them not say anything like this. But he said, So, now What you want? - We will directly talk on this matter with Autodesk

What can I say, switch off the phone and start thinking actually where industry going? If there is some special license like this then why CGArena don't buy that special license and start distributing copies to their lovable forum members. Hope you guys will be happy.


b) Well, as I said I watched Sherlock Holmes movie, so I gone into another new institute called Enigma - Institute of Media Studies for applying same procedure as above but before saying anything, I shocked on entry. Because various big artists artworks are showcase there without any credits. So, I inquired about that work and they said this is our faculty work, so I reveal my identity and talked to the CEO of that institute and they said this is not our faculty work, our faculty work is much superior this is nothing. So, point is if that is nothing then what the hell that awesome images doing there? But, when I asked to see a demoreel of faculty then they said please come later currently we are busy in something. So, tell us what the student will do which have no prior knowledge of this industry- can't figure out which one is bigger cheater?

The artists images that i saw there is listed below, within few days i will also post the prospectus screenshot for viewing. But i am thinking how can i help these artists which sitting overseas and no idea of misuse of their images? Please suggest.

http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/descr ... amien.html

http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/descr ... lone2.html

http://www.cgarena.com/gallery/3d/descr ... eiler.html

http://www.cgarena.com/archives/intervi ... Aroma(body)s.jpg

http://www.cgarena.com/archives/intervi ... header.jpg


and few others...which is not in our gallery like Warcraft, 300 movie image but some of you thinking that some of the images have a signature and name in the bottom so like to inform you, they already cut that portion in all the images.

So, give your viewpoints. I don't know how long I will able to keep this thread alive because definitely receive the pressure but we will try our best and also try to reveal the real name because there is not much use without real names.

[bustedgame]

Animation the most booming market in India. I think all of us must have read this here or there and I think just to hit the hot iron with the hammer people are starting new and new animation institutes here and there out of which I think around 70% - 90% of the institutes are running on the pirated softwares, they mislead animation enthusiasts by showing the different renowned artists work and tell them that these works are from there students or faculties. What they do is that make a trap and catch the future 3D artist in it and by making false comments they make lots and lots of money. This is the scenario which I have also noticed myself. Even the big institutes are not away from it. What exactly is the need they are fulfilling? Do they want to serve the booming animation industry? or do they want to create high profile Multimedia people ? or there motive is something else? Well in my opinion they want to serve themselves only. Institutes (most of the) only want to make money, they do not care how they get children in, they only want money and here is when they move into software piracy and Image copyright infringement to provide there student the best of this animation industry. I think we should raise a voice against this as this will lead us to no where, these institutes are just playing with the lives of the future artists for there own satisfaction. I think our government need to take strict actions against institutes who are involved in software piracy and Image infringement. What do you all think guys please write in your comments.

[bustedgame]

I think its a shame that these institutes are using the hard work of different renowned artists so freely without any fear and making people fool by making false statements.

[cool_animator]

Piracy is the thing which all artists used in the startup of their career but when we grow then bought a software and start using various benefits of licensed software. But if any animation institute indulge in this or promote this then anything can't be worst than this. I think you must reveal the name (I think I understand) here and also ask Autodesk to take action against those, if they don't then leave it because they don't want there software to be bought by everyone, and not interested in removing piracy.

Copyright violation is a crime, how anyone can do this. You rise a very good issue and like to salute for the pain you have taken or will take in coming days. Those, take other artists work without permission and promote himself, industry must take very serious action against those.

Please update continously on this matter.

[Silvan]

I don't like Computer Piracy. This a bad thing.

The programmers are making the program. And the fool hackers is cracking the program. And the programmers can't make money. What a pity.
The programmers just making money from the companies. And the other peoples using cracks, patches v.s. This is really bad thing.

And films. The pirates is buying the copy films without released. IT is a bad thing. :(:(

This is my comment.

[warpv]

As a student myself that is currently taking classes in a "Design and digital art for video games" program here in Canada, I can tell you that this is not the case here. I don't know how things work over in India... But here, at lease at the school where I'm studying, they don't give you a copy of the software. Because I wanted to be able to work at home as well, I bought from my own pocket a Student Version of the program. And at school we do have artwork hung on the walls around the school, but they are actually real works by former students of the school. And the names and class are clearly written next to each piece of work.

As far as piracy in general goes, I think it's a huge problem. I personally am feverishly against it. I think that when you get some pirated software, music, movies, games, etc. You're stealing from the artists on the other end. And I guess the problem is that people who do this sort of thing don't see it that way, but they should, because they are. Maybe some of us are more aware of this, because we are artists and we work in these industries. And it might be less relevant to say, a factory worker, but they still shouldn't do it. Yeah it means that in the end, I might not have 3 million songs on my iPod and I might only have a couple of DVDs and a couple of video games, but at least I'm not stealing the people who worked very hard to produce these medias.

That's my two cents.

[Lordcromwell]

I agree. I am also a student working on a Game Art and Design degree and I had to purchase my own software. I even had issues getting the trial version of Max 9 to work while I waited for my student version of Max 2008. I wonder how hard it would be for Autodesk to go after those schools in India. I mean I hear about how there are all kinds of cases of copyright violations over there.

[silvaticus]

It would be very ncie if the artists whose work was used without permission could sue those thieves and gain some money.

[ashras99]

Lordcromwell, everywhere in the world things work in a same way. That you have to buy a software may be educational version. But I pointed out the type of business done by some institutes or their branches to get the students. If I pointed regarding one place then definitely other places also these things are going on because the mails we received is from different cities. Main thing is looks like this is known to the head offices of their institutes but still no concern for them. Now, this is the point - how the big guns like Autodesk will handle these things?

[ashras99]

It would be very ncie if the artists whose work was used without permission could sue those thieves and gain some money.

That's a good point, but that's why they used overseas students images, so artists don't know about it and if anyone knows then don't come to sue and can't sue without any solid proof! Proof - Which i will try to get something soon!

[Natesh Rao]

the copyright issue you have put up depends now honestly I am glad that you stand by it that really comforts me, since i am new as well like this design for instance (behemoth) i have seen somethin similar to it to be honest again not the same similar to it this is my version with my story, i did get this idea by seein another design so how does that fall into the copyright act , now it depends if these classes are doing the same designs for practice or just stealing art and selling, well i think it should stop and u should inform the artist in their respective countries about whats goin on, I mean if it is something similar you really can't do much can u you can't blame people getting inspired by other artist and coming with their own version of that piece, but if it is the same exact copy then i think it should be stopped, i used to be in a class before where people used to do that as well but i guess the only way to really stop this is have strong copyright laws, but again like in my photography when i shot somethin since i don't really see other peoples work at times the concept turns out to be similar, u can't blame people for that. You think that is bad I opened my mouth and showed some of my work to some people and next day I saw ten different versions of the same idea, so I know how bad the artist would be feeling I think they should definitely be informed regarding this

[FlameI]

i have 2 openions here
1)Ill let u in with one secret. i was fooled by my institute where i am studying by the councellors that there were only 2 seats lft so better hurry. Guess wat? I WAS THE FIRST STUDENT 2 ENROLL. Before enrolling they showed me various artworks giving the credits 2 their faculty(ass****s had even written their name on it.) which later on in this field i realised were artworks of famous artists. (I am soooooo F****** bugged on my institiut) Hell there isnt 1 professional teacher there. In some teachers cases we know more than them.(U can think how angry i am after spending around 2lakh for that)

2) As for the piracy matter dont get shocked there r some small institutes out there who dont even have 1 license. As a student everyone(mostly) uses pirated virsion of the software.Hell who has thousands of rupees to spend on each sftwre.(after spending a huge amunt for the cource) BUT wen u r a profissional or earning its a BIG SHAME 2 use pirated versions. These r big institutes doing piracy man. BUT wat can be done.
Even I think sometimes how much will it take the autodesk people to have an inspection

[ashras99]

Natesh Rao, you are actually talking about inspiration. There is no problem in taking inspiration when you admit that I inspired from particular artwork. But if someone take your behemoth sketch and show to the industry that our students/faculty created that sketch and you are not related with them in any sense - then that is copyright violation, in simple words stealing.

[marco]

Nasscom having a anti-piracy hotline where you can report but when i called sometime back they asked me so much information and details like i am the culprit and I hang the phone.

http://www.nasscom.in/Nasscom/templates ... px?id=6253

It's too difficult to inform them because they required all your details and if someone leak out the details about this report then you are gone. But if they don't take the details then everyone will start calling for fun.

So, we required better laws in this matter and Nasscom need to take initiative in their own hands. Because these institutes not hidden from anyone, they are advertising - so why Nasscom not visit these institiutes branches as a general inspection and take the action if required. I know this will be lot of work in starting but need to work more when the dirt is more. Just opening a helpline doesn't do anything.

[ashras99]

While searching, i got this...

Does the law allow any use of a work without permission of the owner of the copyright, and, if so, which are they?

Some of the exemptions are the uses of the work

1. for the purpose of research or private study,
2. for criticism or review,
3. for reporting current events,
4. in connection with judicial proceeding,
5. performance by an amateur club or society if the performance is given to a non-paying audience, and
6. the making of sound recordings of literary, dramatic or musical works under certain conditions.


Copyright does not protect ideas or concepts. To get the protection of copyright a work must be original.

We rise the copyright issue before too, have a look: http://www.cgarena.com/forum/viewtopic. ... highlight=