The Rules - Crediting

[Vesly]

Quick suggestion that I think we should add an explicit numbered rule along the lines of “Project threads must credit each asset used and only use assets that are free to use.”

@dancer_A

The Golden Principle: Treat one another with respect.

1. Do not distribute ROMs or other illegal or plagiarized content through the chat.
2. No posting or linking to: suggestive content, pornography, hentai, or other inappropriate materials.
3. No slurs or other expressions of bigotry. This includes, but is not limited to, racial, religious, gendered, sexual, homophobic, and/or transphobic slurs.
4. No flaming, baiting, or bullying. This applies regardless of whether a specific member of the community is targeted.
5. Usernames/nicknames must be identifiable and adhere to the rules. No swearing in usernames. No impersonation.
6. Creating an alt for the purpose of avoiding a punishment is grounds for a ban. Alting in general is not forbidden.
7. Failure to comply with a moderator’s instructions will result in warns or eventually a ban. Do not test the boundaries of what is disallowed.
8. Mangs and his content are not welcome here. If you don’t know why, google it.
9. Computer-generated content imitating a real person’s voice (such as via AI) is banned.

I know it says no plagiarism and that there’s this section near the end:

@dancer_A

Post Only Your Own Stuff

You may not post anything digital that belongs to someone else without permission. You may not post descriptions of, links to, or methods for stealing someone’s intellectual property (software, video, audio, images), or for breaking any other law.

You should take special care when posting projects that use someone else’s work, such as an art or writing asset. We default to assuming that art assets are not available for use unless explicitly stated to be so, and it is the project creator’s responsibility to secure permission. Note that such permission can be conditional, such as “free to use with credit given”.

I still think explicitly adding a short version of this as a numbered rule would be valuable. I don’t think everyone reads the rules in depth and it’s a lot of work to go back and credit / replace assets at a later date.

[DATonDemand]

really I’d just make it it’s own topic. Similarly with the you need trust to post stuff lol. Since it’s that important. I dunno if newcomers read the guidelines enough? or is it like a necessary thing that pops up when you first enter the site?

[Vesly]

@DATonDemand

really I’d just make it it’s own topic.

This thread used to be globally pinned along with a few others:

Regarding graphics assets

I’d like to take a moment to review and clarify Rule 1. “Plagiarized content” includes both uncredited assets, as well as assets (credited or not) that the creator has not given permission to use or edit. Giving credit does not grant a free pass to use something the artist has made clear is not to be used. The FEGBA Asset Repository (thread) was created for the explicit purpose of providing a huge range of portraits, animations, map sprites, and tons of other graphics, that are all 100% free …

I think it was too much to have 5 or 6 global pins like we used to have personally. I’d rather it be kept to Getting Started as a thread for common links and The Rules for important info on how to not get in trouble. Then we can have the occasional announcement global pin as needed.

But if others like 3 global pins all the time, then I think Gamma’s thread would be a good choice.

[CT075]

I agree that we need to do a better job communicating the expectations for asset credits in the rules, but I’m not sure making a numbered carve-out for specifically free-to-use assets is the way to go, especially because our actual anti-plagiarism policy is a lot more nuanced than can really be fit into a one-line bullet point.

We’re discussing what to do internally. I’m personally leaning towards dedicated thread and making the forum ask you to check it when making a new project thread.