OK, so let's get some forum conduct rules going

So what's the deal on posting images on the site without the permission of the original photographer or owner of the item?

[MoviePropMaster2008]

Originally Posted by Irobot

So what's the deal on posting images on the site without the permission of the original photographer or owner of the item?

GUN IMAGES:
Well regarding some of the images here on IMFDB.org .... Some of the images are obviously from some Airsoft vendor's sites, and this would be infringing on their copyright. We are trying to change that. Some of the images are from Wikipedia, so the original site should be attributed in the image. I've cleaned up some other member's contributed shots (color corrected, aligned straight, etc.) but I don't know where they got the originals. Again this is an ongoing and very large process. And many new members upload any manner of 'jacked' images which we have to assess or remove if necessary.

But, IMFDB's own policy is that we try not to jack other people's gun images without their permission. That is why I have spent so much time doing my own photographs and replacing all the images which are 'questionable'. My images that I photographed myself are copyrighted to me and I am granting license to IMDFB (and imdfb only). That is an on going process, but I intend to replace all possible weapon images (if possible, it may not be....) with images that are licensed to IMDFB specifically. I've already photographed over 260 custom images for this site. And we are the ONLY educational website (like Guns of the World, SecurityArms.com, etc.) who is actively creating our own gun images.

So far, the images of guns (from unknown sources) can stay, but if the owner requests for the removal of such image, we would do it right away. That's one of the reasons why we remark to members NOT to constantly upload images that aren't theirs (especially if they are not necessary or filling an obvious gap) ESPECIALLY if we already have our own LICENSED image of that same gun.... If a gun site or store or owner saw their own gun's image on here, they have the right to request it's removal and we would honor that request.

Any member of IMFDB can link to or place the thumbnail or image of our reference gun images on any movie / Actor / Genre page within IMDFB.org. The only restriction on using gun images on any other site, is related only to the ones that I have photographed myself. My images are for this site only and are copyrighted. Any other site illegally using them (especially for commerce) will be getting cease and desist letters for me (or my attorney) . However, I speak only for myself and not the site in general. The other images which I have not photographed, I have no control or authority to restrict their use.

SCREEN GRABS:
This one is in a grey area. It dances the fine line of journalism since there is no practical way to 'declare' that a certain firearm appears in a scene unless there is a screen grab to prove it. Since IMFDB is an educational site and not engaged in any commerce, I believe it is okay. We are not "Youtube" and we aren't sharing any video or music content. We are web based journalist/scholars (amateur of course) who are writing educational pages about the 'details' and 'trivia' of a movie, not replaying or broadcasting those movies or shows. I've noticed many high profile movie REVIEW sites which have screen grabs of the movies they are reviewing. Obviously their visibility is much higher than ours and I still see them using screen grabs when talking or reviewing a DVD or movie. So when it's 'journalist' or 'education' then it falls outside the purview of commerce.

Hope this helps. I noticed no one answered your question for several days and I was off line for a while and didn't log in until tonight.

[MT2008]

BTW, ignore the fact that I wrote "forum rules". I have no idea what I was smoking when I wrote that.

Anyway, I would like more input from the other admins. What other rules do you want to add? Also, do you think I am being too harsh with the "zero tolerance" policy on vandalism?

[Gunmaster45]

I don't. If some guy thinks they can dick around with our hard work because they find it funny, we should give them the boot. At most, a warning then kick them off.

Like those people who add porno links to the pages and write comments like "Those assholes" or "what douches" after informative paragraphs (like ones that talk about the Clinton Admins. or the BATFE.) We are all thinking the same thing but our opinions are ours, not posted to 1000s.

We should just write this stuff in big bold letters on the main page since no one seems to read the rules and regulations.

1. Don't mess with MPM2008's images or steal them for your own needs.
2. Don't vandalize our website with your crap, you will be deleted.
3. Ask an administrator before modifying the website drastically *cough* templates *cough*.
4. Don't make blank pages or ones with only one or two sentences on them. If you are "going to add info to them later", leave that message on the page so we all know your agenda.
5. If you add bootlegs or illegal screencaps, you are not just downing the reputation of the website, you are commiting a federal crime and can do jail time if people track you down (not to dig on the users who did this by mistake).
6. Don't remove screencaps people worked hard on because they seem repetitious. If you really find this necessary, ask the original capper before removing the images. Don't remove them for your own amusement or you will be banned or killed (if you piss off the capper enough).

Sound good? XD

[Excalibur]

I think we should start protecting pages more cause I am kinda getting annoyed at these anonymous people with no profiles popping up. I think on the main page, we should state, sign up, and remember to write your signature so we know you did it. Cause it gets tiresome going into the history section to see who did what

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by Excalibur

I think we should start protecting pages more cause I am kinda getting annoyed at these anonymous people with no profiles popping up. I think on the main page, we should state, sign up, and remember to write your signature so we know you did it. Cause it gets tiresome going into the history section to see who did what

I protect SOME of my pages so that only myself and other admins can edit them.

I also agree that the Main Page should not able to be edited by anyone except admins.

[MoviePropMaster2008]

We should have a policy where jacked images are deleted when an exact same original LICENSED image of the same gun is uploaded. I don't want to annoy some of the IMFDB members, but if they did not take the photo themselves, then they have no right to complain if it is deleted and replaced by an authorized image.

Usually I overwrite some of the jacked images, but some of them are still on the site, even though we have newer authorized images of the same gun. Even though all the admins pretty much agree on this, I wanted this to put out there so that I don't piss off any of the rank and file members.

How will we post these rules? Will there be an FAQ button on the main page?

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by MoviePropMaster2008

How will we post these rules? Will there be an FAQ button on the main page?

There will be both a "Rules of Conduct" page and an "FAQ", yes. Ideally, somewhere in the Menu bar along the left. But I haven't talked with Bunni about this yet. Right now, I'm still just gathering ideas from all y'all so that I can draft something in the (not too distant) future.

[MT2008]

Originally Posted by MoviePropMaster2008

How will we post these rules? Will there be an FAQ button on the main page?

Good question. There will be both a "Rules of Conduct" page and an "FAQ", yes. Ideally, somewhere in the Menu bar along the left. But I haven't talked with Bunni about this yet. Right now, I'm still just gathering ideas from all y'all so that I can draft something in the (not too distant) future.

[MoviePropMaster2008]

Wow Déjà vu