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Content Protection

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Revision as of 11:58, 16 January 2019 by HannahT25 (Talk | contribs) (Preventing Infringement)

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Preamble

While the Sinespace platform is a closed platform, it is simply not possible to guarantee any form of copy protection. With that said, we do implement features which make "content ripping" harder. While technical measures cannot be guaranteed - we do attempt to also limit the applicability and usefulness of ripped content through social and legal means, including our content review process.

Content Formats

Uploading content to the Sinespace platform is a destructive process; our compression systems actively strip and reformat content into specialised formats. Further; many of these formats involve lossy compression (e.g. DXT texture compression) of some form of another.

For example: when you upload a FBX file containing an animation, our tools will in the process of packaging strip out the skeletal data, remove the associated meshes, and reformat the animation timeline into a custom format - the original FBX is not delivered to the end users client (although it will be stored on our processing servers in case of future reprocessing in the event of format changes). Usually we will also strip redundant (not used) information from the mesh, such as unused vertex colours or higher UV channels (UV3/4); if it can be determined at build time that this information is redundant.

It should be noted that while this provides a roadblock to extracting content, a dedicated reverse engineer will be able to restore a semblance of the original files; either by decoding the formats we utilise - or extracting from the GPU using existing tools designed for graphics debugging (specifically not mentioning any by name here). As with the music and movie industries - there is no technological 'silver bullet'.

What can be done?

While technological methods are doomed to long term failure - social and legal means are not.

The Sinespace platform is a closed environment, this means all content needs to be routed through our systems and processes - for the majority of users, this will also include content review, where our teams inspect all content prior to upload. One of the goals of content review is to prevent and prohibit ripped content from being sold or distributed in the Sinespace platform. Penalties for knowingly uploading infringing content include permanent removal from the service, through to legal enforcement (don't do it.). See Review Policies for more information.

A good comparison example for how Sinespace operates is to compare the App Store and Google Play marketplaces - by placing a more stringent review, greater identification requirements and a delay on cashouts, the Apple store is considerably better at disincentivising infringements. Both platforms employ similar levels of DRM.

Copying, Single Source, Marketplace

The Sinespace backend design means every user copy of a item is shared from a single master copy of the item. If that master item is removed from the service - all copies will vanish with it. If an item is placed onto the service despite review processes, it is an option for the original owner to have every copy of the item removed or replaced in a single instance.

Additionally, all content sales occur within the platform itself where they can be monitored and all details recorded. We also offer a central marketplace managed and operated by us, where we aim to guarantee that all the content is legitimate, and can provide a curated high quality marketplace. By encouraging users to utilize the Sinespace marketplace we can maintain user trust that they are buying authentic goods from the authorized sellers - and ensure they understand the original creators are being paid for their work.

Social v. Technical Enforcement

While technical means can be used to slow or delay a infringement, we prefer to rely on social and legal methods; our social & legal methods include:

  • All uploaded content is subject to a manual review by our art inspection team.
  • All content uploaded onto our live servers for sale requires a enforceable contract between Sine Wave Entertainment, and the uploading user.
  • Content sales are subject to a mandatory waiting period between sale and cash-out period; this allows us to hold revenues from infringed content.

Intellectual Property

Copyright, Trademark and IP Policies

The Sinespace Platform is a creative platform - we wish to encourage all creators to upload original innovative content to our platform. When uploading content to our platform however, we request that you do not infringe on other peoples works. This includes incorporating materials such as trademarks from popular brands or other third parties without their explicit consent.

Preventing Infringement

  • The Sinespace Platform is a curated service, we aim to personally review most content uploaded onto the service. While this does not guarantee we can prohibit all infringing content (particularly that which we do not recognize), we do aim to limit the need for duplicate complaints over the same content.
  • We require a point of contact for all content uploaded to the service, and a contract for all content uploaded for sale. (This does allow us to trace who is responsible for all content uploaded onto the platform)
  • We operate with a delay between item purchases and cash-outs to developers - this period allows us to retain funds for infringed content, and limit profiting from any infringing content.

Content Takedowns

If you believe someone has uploaded your IP (or IP for someone you formally represent), you may submit a take-down request to us. While we will honour DMCA takedown requests, please note we are a UK company, and the appropriate form to use is a EU "Article 14" Notice and Take Down as specified under the Electronic Commerce Directive.

For fastest processing, please raise a support ticket at [[1]] with the Regarding field as 'IP & Copyright Infringement'.

For physical notices of infringement, please mail to

RE: IP ENFORCEMENT
SINE WAVE ENTERTAINMENT LTD.
22A St. James's Square London,
SW1Y 4JH, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 (0) 207 078 7449

or email: contact@sinewavecompany.com

Please include:

  • Where you saw the content (the name or direct URL of a region, our shop front, or an avatar name.)
  • A screenshot of the infringing content, or the content it is designed to look like.
  • The time, date and timezone of when you saw the infringing content.
  • Any details about the content (such as name or creator)
  • On what grounds you believe this to be infringing content ("I developed this and did not provide authorisation")

And one (or both) of:

  • The details of the copyright or trademark registration regarding this content. If it is not formally registered, please provide evidence that you are the true copyright holder (e.g. in the case of a 3D model, we will accept screenshots of the source files or a link to a promotional website registered prior the upload date with your name attached).
  • A signed legal affirmation that you are, or represent the true owner of the content.

The more information you can provide about a piece of infringing content, the faster we can handle removing it. We have a strong respect for the intellectual property of creators, and will always do our best to process such infringements promptly.

Right of Reply

If there is a gray area over a piece of content, and we are not able to sufficiently or reasonably identify the infringement from the materials supplied - but you have provided some evidence or an affirmation stating ownership, we will ask the uploader to respond within 3 business days before making a judgement and possibly removing the content. If they fail to respond in this time, or respond inadequately, we will remove the content.

For that reason, please include as much documentation of the infringement as possible, and evidence of your ownership to limit our need to do this; acceptable evidence could include:

  • Copyright registration information
  • Links to where the item was originally sold, and some proof you own these listings.
  • Screenshot of source files with destructed material (e.g. Photoshop document with layers window visible) that are not already public.

Put Back Notices

If you believe your content was unjustly removed, you will need to state your case, and provide as much documentation and evidence that we have erred in removing your content; as reinstating your content may impose legal liability on us, we will require proof well beyond reasonable doubt that you authored this content, and that the original complaint was fraudulent or incorrect. In cases where there are multiple copyright owners, we will require assurances from all owning parties prior to reinstatement.

Suspensions, Violation of Terms

If you are found to have uploaded unauthorized content, your right to sell in the Sinespace marketplace may be suspended or banned. Furthermore, you may be liable for any legal costs imposed on Sine Wave Entertainment dealing with your infringement. See the Space Content Agreement for further information, but in short; do not upload unauthorized content.