If you are in Second Life and have any type of social media page associated with your avatar’s name, chances are that you’ve read about one designer stealing from another or just selling things illegally. A few months ago, I was crushed when I found out that one of my favorite home & garden stores had been uploading template meshes from external websites and passing them off as her own. I knew something had changed from earlier years, as her poses were no longer lined up. They were clearly tossed in haphazardly and little concern was given to customers that might actually put those animations to use. My immediate reaction was to delete every item in my inventory that I had ever purchased from her. I felt so betrayed. Not only because of all the money I’d spent with her, but because I had spoken with her on several occasions. Each and every time I spoke with her, I would tell her how much I admired her work. Turned out not to be her work at all. Now, in this particular case, she came forward, admitted her wrongs, and subsequently seemed to disappear from all events. Her store is still open, but its been redone completely. I haven’t bothered to check what’s left of her “designs,” because she lost my trust. I have literally spent hundreds of dollars in her store. I will never see that money again. That’s fine, but so far as I know, she won’t see another dime from me, either.
There have been multiple accusations against a popular hair & skin designer on the grid as well. However, in the past when DMCAs have been properly filed against a designer for theft, Linden Labs has been rather prompt in removing both the offending designer and his/her designs. Eventually, all the finger pointing died down and things seem to be going well for that designer. There seems to be no more finger pointing in that direction.
NOW we are being told that one popular hair designer has been stealing from another for over two years! I am mortified and stunned. Once again, I’ve spent hundreds of dollars in this store. I’m sitting here looking at the 70+ folders of hair I’ve purchased from the accused store and I’m left wondering, “Now what?”
I can’t be the only one sitting her uncomfortably numb to the whole designer theft situation wondering where to go from here. Am I obligated to delete all these hairs that I bought in good faith? I’d love to hear how others are dealing with issues like this.
wearing:
hair: MINA – Hazel (*new* @ Uber)
head: CATWA HEAD Lona
body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara
skin: [theSkinnery] Amber
Kibitz – Deluxe earrings
Scandalize.SABRINA. CAT
Vinyl – Hellershanks Sweater Dress (*new* @ Uber)
Vinyl – Winehouse Tartan Skinnys
pose: Bauhaus Movement – NoisebastardZ set
***If you are reading this on any site that suggests this post was originally published anywhere but SadyStyle by anyone other than Sadystika Sabretooth, you are reading a stolen post.
