I don't think it is hard to hide unique serial numbers in each copy of the instructions sold and keep a record of S/Ns with buyers. If the instructions show up in the wild, then you can use the S/N to trace back to the buyer and sue that person for damages. The other thing is sell only to people in your own country, it's easier to take legal action locally than internationally.

Which Unimog do you mean? atm I have seven...

"..." does that mean more are on the way?

Maybe ;)

I don't think it is hard to hide unique serial numbers in each copy of the instructions sold and keep a record of S/Ns with buyers. If the instructions show up in the wild, then you can use the S/N to trace back to the buyer and sue that person for damages. The other thing is sell only to people in your own country, it's easier to take legal action locally than internationally.

There are plenty of ways to easily remove text from pdf files. (like adobe acrobat pro) The only option would be to implant the serial numbers into the images who display important information, which is a heck of a job

Best way would be if Lpub automatically implants these codes into the images like a watermark. So who is the owner of this program No, we can't ask that. But it will totally solve the problem.

There are plenty of ways to easily remove text from pdf files. (like adobe acrobat pro) The only option would be to implant the serial numbers into the images who display important information, which is a heck of a job

Best way would be if Lpub automatically implants these codes into the images like a watermark. So who is the owner of this program No, we can't ask that. But it will totally solve the problem.

I agree! I think that is the best solution! They have to implement this perfect-function in LPub!

There are plenty of ways to easily remove text from pdf files. (like adobe acrobat pro) The only option would be to implant the serial numbers into the images who display important information, which is a heck of a job

Well, it is still quite easy to hide serial number if you wish. Assume you can edit your PDF file after download. Then all you need to is use your imagination to hide required text/serial and check whenever needed.

Like select one page randomly (let's say page 10) and apply required text/serial number in white color on white background. it is not easy to spot and I don't think someone would be looking for it specifically, checking page by page. Hide text behind picture. Make text as a picture and hide behind picture. Arrange part list in back of PDF in unique order etc.

Use steganography to hide text inside image.

ZUX, You are quite clever Thanks a lot!

So easy to do, and nobody will see it.

I don't think it is hard to hide unique serial numbers in each copy of the instructions sold and keep a record of S/Ns with buyers. If the instructions show up in the wild, then you can use the S/N to trace back to the buyer and sue that person for damages.

Therein lies the problem. The legal authorities aren't going to do anything about it even if you can prove piracy because the amount is too small for them to care about. Likewise, no instruction owner can afford to sue someone over 10 dollars. The pirates know this and therefore know nobody is going to come after them.

Therein lies the problem. The legal authorities aren't going to do anything about it even if you can prove piracy because the amount is too small for them to care about. Likewise, no instruction owner can afford to sue someone over 10 dollars. The pirates know this and therefore know nobody is going to come after them.

There is small claims court option if the pirate buyer is in your local area. You would have to prove that buyer was the source of leak and how much lost sales he caused you. For damages of a few hundreds or thousands of dollars, small claim court is a viable option. Hiring a lawyer to represent you in small claims court is usually not needed. I think in some jurisdictions you have to pay a small court fee to file a suit. Maybe some AFOL will be on the reality TV small claim court: Judge Judy.

Hi folks,

since a couple of weeks I regularly find "new" items at the auction house... Anyone who knows the Unimog thread maybe knows, that I made those MOCs.

What do you think of all this?

Here are two examples:

http://www.ebay.de/i...=item2589e67ca4

http://www.ebay.de/i...=item258a3e8428

Pat

I'd say the guy is...

- selling a bunch of bricks that are his property - legitimate

- selling a model that he built - legitimate

- selling something that is based upon someone else's ideas without giving credit - not legitimate.

Except for the last point, I do not see a strong problem. I wouldn't even if someone made a decent instruction and sold those, since creating actual, well-done instructions is - in my experience - as much work, and just as much a creative effort as developing the original design.

Sorry for all of those that do not like this practise of eraning money froms omeone else's ideas, but please - if you don't want that, make sure that your positngs are accompanied by a specific licence about what can and what cannot be done with your images/files.

- in my experience - as much work, and just as much a creative effort as developing the original design.

I hope you are joking! Otherwise I would say you've never made the effort to create a complex model! To make instructions takes time and it's stressfull ok, but the hardest part is to create the model af first place! I find your words a derespectfull!

- if you don't want that, make sure that your positngs are accompanied by a specific licence about what can and what cannot be done with your images/files.

What license?? People simply steal things and sell them back..regardless what sorto fo "licence" you put on them!

I hope you are joking! Otherwise I would say you've never made the effort to create a complex model! To make instructions takes time and it's stressfull ok, but the hardest part is to create the model af first place! I find your words a derespectfull!

I often find it is the opposite way around. This might just be me of course, but I find it quite quick to make a fairly decent looking and functioning model, while "deconstructing" the model into LDraw, stepping it, making sure to place the parts in the right order, making reasonable sub steps, and then LPubing it into instructions, and finally presenting them in an attractive package is just as hard - if not harder - than coming up with and building a MOC.

I often find it is the opposite way around. This might just be me of course, but I find it quite quick to make a fairly decent looking and functioning model, while "deconstructing" the model into LDraw, stepping it, making sure to place the parts in the right order, making reasonable sub steps, and then LPubing it into instructions, and finally presenting them in an attractive package is just as hard - if not harder - than coming up with and building a MOC.

Well think about it this way: most of the time they buy instrcutions to sell them back so this means zero work!! then if they get the LDD/Mlcad model they are already half way through!! So again..don't tell me this is fair!

Also you mya find it as hard sure, but remember that good instructions can only be made if the 3D model is perfectly organised! Myself I do model and build with hands at the same time in parallel...so it means the 3D model it's not just made after the real model!

Anyway....

So again..don't tell me this is fair!

"Again"? "don't tell me"?

When did I tell you this was fair?

I simply said it's a lot of work to make proper instructions, as I'm sure you know if you have worked with LDraw. I never defended the people who buy a copy of MOC instructions with the purpose of reselling it to make money. In fact I didn't even mention that.

By the way, this topic is about (at least from my understanding) selling complete MOCs by other builders, something which I think is perfectly fine. Credit should ideally of course be given, and if instructions are not free, then the buyer of the physical model should no doubt pay for instructions as well.