Recently all submitted themes from a member of this community, were removed from the themesite on the basis of a very important issue - ripping from other themes. Especially when the source is not a SMF theme and therefore harder to detect.
Why is this so important? Well, for one thing, SMF itself can be held responsible for those thefts - because they are indeed thefts - by merely housing the themes. Another issue is the display of disrespect for other peoples work. The net seems like such a vast and unlimited source to just be used whenever needed, but there are certain rules that apply there too. And protecting peoples work from being used without permission is one of the most important ones.
To make themes based on other themes is not bad in itself, far from it. But when you use things without asking, you step over a border. That border may not be so important for you there and then, but consider you may one day be the other party in this..what then?
Sadly there have been a slight increase in submitted themes that use stuff from other sources, especially from other forum software. Maybe because they think SMF deserve such great themes? Fair enough, but it is still stealing. Nothing can change that fact unless you get a proper permission to use them and the documentation to back it up. We are on the lookout on all submitted themes, but its kind of depressing of having to treat all as possible rips. I had hoped we did not need to do that.
So please, keep it clean. Make great themes and/or convert other great themes, but follow the rules! Both we and the rest of the community will thank you for it.
Thanks for reading.
Glad all my themes are my own work :)
Ok need some clarification>
What would a ported theme constitute?
Eg
Ruik Solar flare (Native Joomla install template)
Becomes a battle field 2 theme by some other hand...
Then I take it and make a theme set using SMF Joomla and Vwar giving newcomer e sports clans a solid "beginning" in the www....
I Just need to ask before I embark on more of the same thing. Solar flare and whatever template Joomla 1.5 decides on as well as my own original concepts will be added to a smallish collection in time, can I post sets like this? What guidelines should I follow?
EG
Joomla
http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_remository/Itemid,41/func,fileinfo/id,266/
Vwar
http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,94/topic,3709.0
SMF
http://www.joomlahacks.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,94/topic,3781.0
Sorry for Joomhacks...
;)
Do you have permission to use those exact graphics? Can you in some way show you do?
For example...its not enough to buy a theme, and as such "own it" and then make a SMF theme out of it. You just bought the right to use the theme as it is, not to port it to other scripts or distribute it. Unless the terms of the purchase includes exactly that.
This is exactly why Turklord themes was removed from the themesite, no proof of permission to port the themes was provided.
Quote from: Bloc on May 16, 2007, 11:39:42 AM
This is exactly why Turklord themes was removed from the themesite, no proof of permission to port the themes was provided.
Better ask before. I made the experience that nearly all asked autors/creators of code, mods, graphics etc. have no problem with using their creations, if you ask them before you begin to work.
Sad to read about the situation with the themes. :( We found a little part of our forum on a turkish web site - without permission to do this ::)
Quote from: nehcregit on May 22, 2007, 06:14:38 AM
Quote from: Bloc on May 16, 2007, 11:39:42 AM
This is exactly why Turklord themes was removed from the themesite, no proof of permission to port the themes was provided.
Better ask before. I made the experience that nearly all asked autors/creators of code, mods, graphics etc. have no problem with using their creations, if you ask them before you begin to work.
Sad to read about the situation with the themes. :( We found a little part of our forum on a turkish web site - without permission to do this ::)
thank you for everything!for your
aspiration to improve
work of forum!
*** Removed Spam Link ***
Hm? Just kidding, just spam, or do you mean what you wrote?
in case of reference in bloc's post above
i think it should be better to have an licence.txt in the theme dir
and in that licence should be some link to the original theme or builder...
that says that it can be used on other software as well following by an gnu/gpl license ..... ::)
so things can be easier on contacting the real builder or whatever
Well the theme info xml file has a section for including information if your theme is based off another.
I created my theme from one of panic's themes, though didn't post it to the themes site until I'd gotten his permission.
It's my guess that most theme authors would gladly allow you to use parts of their work in your own theme if you just asked, but would probably be annoyed to find their work being used without permission.
This is still a problem people. Themes CANNOT contain any other copyrighted material.
Is there some sort of Tutorial on making themes from scratch? I'm a total newb helping my father run his SMF site and would like to make a custom theme for it, but i'm only a graphics guy.. the scripts and whatnot is lost on me..for the moment..
Ok.. I have a situation and need assistance and this seemed like the right place to put it. I recently had to ban someone from my forum and he has since joined once again.. and on top of that is now stealing code from my site to create his own. Well I did talk to the individual and told them that I thought they should make their stuff from scratch and to stop thiefing from my site. Now it seems he has someone else looking at the code to build his site. So not only is he a thief, but a lazy one at that. Is there a way to lock down the source?
Also, has anyone ever tried to convert a Coppermine Theme into something similar for SMF. I use Coppermine gallery and the theme I picked I want to coordinate with my forum. Would that be considered thiefing or just me coordinating with what I already have?
Quote from: IchBin™ on June 25, 2007, 11:53:44 AM
This is still a problem people. Themes CANNOT contain any other copyrighted material.
Yes, we're still finding themes that contain copyrighted images and javascript files, we can not accept them if they do.
-ALM
can i just modify the default smf theme? will i still violate if i put something like theme designed by me at the footer?
you can modify the deault theme if you wish, alot ofg themes are based on the default theme :)
Aslong as the SMF copyright is intaked then you should be ok to add your own etxt
that sounds great! thanks sloopz :)
OK, this is confusing. Are we talking about adapting templates on our own sites or making them for available for distribution?
Anna
We're talking about using copyrighted code/images in your themes without permission from the copyright owner.
-ALM
I know its a bit offtopic.
But I love your themes bloc :)
Quote from: ALM on September 05, 2007, 03:19:52 PM
We're talking about using copyrighted code/images in your themes without permission from the copyright owner.
-ALM
Thank you ALM
Anna
Themes will always contain copyright material, nobody can make every single graphic themselves, this is pretty pathetic, it's not like SMF would be the ones that get sued by the "theme creator" anyway if the themes are free and you ain't making money off them, how is this person who has the "original" going to sue?
If a themes free, copy it because theres nothing anybody can do about it. if it's free it's free.
And whos the kid drinking the beer in his avatar, your so hardcore man
There is a difference between using material that is allowed and that is not allowed.
With the default theme and many other themes (not all) you can use the graphics freely within another smf forum (it is advised to get the authors permission if you want this to save hassle) what is being said in this post is people have been using codng and graphics from other forum software companies.
The other software companies are rivals but we respect there work and there software and we do not want any hassle to arrise from people using there images or coding on a theme that is available on smf.
Also we have been recieving deliberate ports of themes from other software without the consent of the original author. This is why this thread was started.
QuoteThemes will always contain copyright material, nobody can make every single graphic themselves,
Um... yes they can.
Quoteanyway if the themes are free and you ain't making money off them, how is this person who has the "original" going to sue?
If a themes free, copy it because theres nothing anybody can do about it. if it's free it's free.
You're right that they're unlikely to sue. They're far more likely to contact your host, DMCA style.
And besides, its the nice moral thing to do. I'm all for Free Culture, but with your attitude, you won't get many friends.
For Free Culture to 'work' it requires Respect for others and their work and this has very little to do with courts. Basic Integrity is another necessity.
Quote from: MightyDucksJosh on September 30, 2007, 12:06:00 AM
Themes will always contain copyright material, nobody can make every single graphic themselves, this is pretty pathetic, it's not like SMF would be the ones that get sued by the "theme creator" anyway if the themes are free and you ain't making money off them, how is this person who has the "original" going to sue?
If a themes free, copy it because theres nothing anybody can do about it. if it's free it's free.
There is lots of graphics in the public domain if you are not capable of creating your own or are not willing to ask for necessary permissions...
Anna
this topic could go on and on and on, everybody has their own opinions, and nobody is right or wrong.
I still stand by what i say, if somethings free use it, even if you put a little "Original theme by blah blah" in it, who cares, i doubt the author of the original does anyway. in fact i would be privileged, the people who make themes and then get all whiney about it because they didn't ask permission should just grow up, when will people learn everything on the Internet's free....
I'm not saying i agree with it, don't get me wrong, but that's what it's about. Nobody cares / respects copyright on the internet, and i highly doubt anybody will.
Well, apart from the people like ichbin who look's like hes on SMF 24/7 helping people, other than that the people just using SMF and other people on other sites just don't care.
Big claims, got anything to support them?
Lets put a stop on this before it gets bigger, I dont think anyone wants this locked.
The point of matter is simple to save any hassle if we find copyrighted material or direct ports from other software etc without written consent then the theme you have submitted onto the theme site will be rejected if you cannot prove the permission.
To make it easier on everyone we have released the Theme Approval Guidlines (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=197350.0) and the staff who do the checks are checking the themes coding and graphics more. The discision is simply to stop any hassle arrising from the copyright owners.
Quote from: MightyDucksJosh on September 30, 2007, 11:46:40 PMNobody cares / respects copyright on the internet, and i highly doubt anybody will.
I have to say that's just a silly statement .... and without merit. A lot of people care about copyright and a lot of people respect peoples copyright. But there are a minority that like to take hard worked code/images/ content and claim it for their own. I've had created themes and custom content for many of my sites and have had them ripped, it's not a good feeling and most times they destroy the work ... which annoys me more. It's people with that lack of respect for that hard working person on the other end, that ruin it for the rest. When a talented person sees their work ripped/ruined they can just give up ... which deny the rest of the community their talent.
Quote from: MightyDucksJosh on September 30, 2007, 11:46:40 PM... other than that the people just using SMF and other people on other sites just don't care.
People do care, put your heart and sole into a piece of work. Then have it usurped by someone else ... see how you feel then. I guess from your statements you've never been in that situation before.
Rum i said the people that own the work would probably care so what are you on about? i just mean the users who are using the stuff, must of them i don't think really see the big idea about Copyright, and just remove it when they can.
I also said i don't think it's right, but it's the truth.
And why would this topic get locked? it's merely a convo, nobody is arguing or anything.
Ive got a question about this
What about creating a theme based off of the Babylon theme, and using like the sizes of the original images as a baseline for creating my own graphics, and only use it for my site, is that fine?
that is allowed... alot of themes are bnased off themes included in the smf package
I found a theme that ripped just about everything from a paid vb theme..the original was made by someone i've come to know no less (from being a customer of his really)
First thing i did was got the theme deleted; no mercy.
Ripping and stealing other peoples work and spreading around like it's yours, acting as if you did nothing wrong makes me sick to my stomach. It's wrong, and no matter how people try to justify it, it's still wrong.
Is it alright that I created my own theme, and combined the different themes that came with the smf package? Is it alright to put on the theme for my site that it was designed by me?
Plus can i still use some of the original forum graphics that came with cause for must buttons, I was able to create one, but for stuff like the normal topics, etc I cant think of a way to customize it to my site?
You can use the images in the three themes that come in the SMF install as you wish in a theme.
I couldn't find the answer anywhere so I think this would be a good topic to ask in. Are we able to modify pre existing themes that we download from the theme site, or is the only theme we can edit the default one?
You can modify them only if you get the theme authors' permission.
Quote from: Dannii on December 24, 2007, 12:32:13 AM
You can modify them only if you get the theme authors' permission.
Thats not entirley true
If you download a theme from theme site you can modify it to suit your site,
however if you wish to add your modified version to the themesite you need to ask the permission from the author. But to get your theme accepted it must follow the guidlines (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=197350.0) abd you must prove that you have permission on request.
Oh yeah of course you can always modify it for your own site. But in the context of this thread and releasing new themes, you have to get permission ;)
*wonders*
what if you copied the graphical layout of a user submitted theme from another system, like FUD and used only the graphics from the theme to give a current smf layout the same 'feel' and permission for free use of the graphical contents are given, in the original theme. Would you require new permission or would the original permissions copy be sufficient in that case.
:P ofc due credit would need to be given for the graphics... would this be enough to sate the permissions needed for submissions.
I know alot of themes that have moved from application to application have such permission given though may not be copied.
Also what about an 'inspired theme' that is recreated to mimic a theme?
And finally,
Quote from: Bloc on May 14, 2007, 06:16:46 PM
Why is this so important? Well, for one thing, SMF itself can be held responsible for those thefts - because they are indeed thefts - by merely housing the themes. Another issue is the display of disrespect for other peoples work. The net seems like such a vast and unlimited source to just be used whenever needed, but there are certain rules that apply there too. And protecting peoples work from being used without permission is one of the most important ones.
If permission was not given and the use of these scripts and/or graphics is known you are still required to report the use or be held liable as if you yourself used them.
As long a credit is given where it is due in a lot of cases is sufficient, however to completely steal someone else's scripts and graphics whether the general populous "doesn't really care" or not only serves to proliferate the 'if it's on the Internet it's free' mentality. We all as an online community need to do what we can to self-maintain courtesy or lose all privacy as we see happening more and more.
I myself use digi-marking for graphics so i can track their use across the internet. Its interesting to see where some simple graphics have made it. From given free for use as avatars to being claimed as original deviantart to being sold as mobile phone graphics is a short step. So why would a professional design a free GUI for a free forums? Simply, to gain the needed reputation in the industry. this why they are free with the 'layout by..'. Self promotion. This draws in revenue for other things, whether its from a Imaginary Force design contract or whatever.
So the point, MightyDucksJosh, is that use of these scripts and/or graphics, no matter how innocent, results in a direct loss in revenue there for they do have a value to their original designers.
So the message is, take the time to create a nice theme yes, by all means recreate an other theme, just be sure to get the permissions you require.
Quotewhat if you copied the graphical layout of a user submitted theme from another system, like FUD and used only the graphics from the theme to give a current smf layout the same 'feel' and permission for free use of the graphical contents are given, in the original theme. Would you require new permission or would the original permissions copy be sufficient in that case.
:P ofc due credit would need to be given for the graphics... would this be enough to sate the permissions needed for submissions.
Depends what "free use" really means. And... not all licences require credit be given.
Would it be alright if I changed the color of the tabs on the default theme, and on some of the other graphics?
Of course. Some people have already made other colour schemes for it though, so you may not need to.
So I just want to get this straight.....
If I want to take pieces and parts of 3 or 4 different themes,let's say (colors from one, icons from another and so on), that have been submitted to the theme site. Then create a theme for my own site/s, that is OK. :)
On the other hand if I was to submit it as my own work with out permission to use any of those parts from the actual creator/ copyright holder that would be bad. :(
So as long as people have common courtesy and don't take someone else's hard work and claim it as their own, there would be no issue.
I was alittle confused as this topic started to sound as if it was an issue to use other peoples work, that was submitted to the theme site, which did not make sense, since these people submitted them for other people to use.
Quote from: JoeX51 on February 23, 2008, 10:34:29 PM
I was alittle confused as this topic started to sound as if it was an issue to use other peoples work, that was submitted to the theme site, which did not make sense, since these people submitted them for other people to use.
They may have been submitted for use, but once a work has been published, they become copyrighted and since we have to honour copyright laws, we can not allow it.
Hi. I have a question, and I couldn't find the answer elsewhere. If a theme does not provide a license, but just general copyright information, it's covered by the GNU, correct?
The reason I'm asking, is because I'm working on a theme for a game called "Legend of The Green Dragon". The guys over at DragonPrime (http://dragonprime.net/) are running the show these days. However, any theme used for LOGD will fall under Creative Commons License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)
Anyway, long story short, I'm basing my skin on the Red Darkness theme created by husmen73 & Masterhan. (http://www.smfturk.net/) All I've done is essentially use the exact background image. I plan on creating buttons similar to theirs, but I'll have to make them from scratch as the images are flattened and not layered.
A small screenshot of the forum skin I'm talking about:
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p223/shorteneq/red_darkness_sample.jpg)
A small screenshot of the game in development:
(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p223/shorteneq/game_sample.jpg)
Either way, I plan on placing a copyright at the bottom: Red Darkness template by Tela based on Red Darkness Theme by husmen73 & Masterhan. (http://www.smfturk.net/)
If the theme is GNU, that should be enough. Otherwise, I may need some help? Or a translator?
QuoteHi. I have a question, and I couldn't find the answer elsewhere. If a theme does not provide a license, but just general copyright information, it's covered by the GNU, correct?
Aboslutely not (assuming you're talking about the GNU GPL).
Quote from: Tela on February 27, 2008, 03:37:46 AM
Hi. I have a question, and I couldn't find the answer elsewhere. If a theme does not provide a license, but just general copyright information, it's covered by the GNU, correct?
If no license is provided for the theme, you should assume you have no rights to use it (other than fair use). There is no default license that takes effect on copyrighted works.
Ok I'm a tad confused here. I posted over in the thread about the Default Multicolour theme but since that's usually inactive it may be missed.
The story is that I've put together a multicolour version of Bikken's Outline. He's already given me his permission to post the zip of a pink version I made at several places. I'll ask about the multicolour one before I post that anywhere, of course.
I used the method described in this thread (http://www.simplemachines.org/community/index.php?topic=102787.0) but it's rather clumsy, in that it results in a stack of redundant copies of images for post icons, BBC, etc.
I want to use the arrangement that was used in the Default Multicolour, which will save somewhere around 1 meg of useless images.
So the question is: is the way that theme calls the image files and stylesheets just another way of arranging public domain code, or is it someone's intellectual property?
I know that Dilber MC uses a very similar method, although I haven't compare the two in WinMerge yet.
So since I want to write something similar do I need permission for this?
Alot of the ways that are shown in threads are tricks and can be found on google searches, some are adapaptations of others, aslong as you say it is an adaptation of XYZ then you should be fine :)
Cool. Thanks for that. I thought that was probably the case but I figured I should ask before I started work on the thing.
Aren't SMF themes released always under GPL ? Isn't this a guideline ?
No. It's not. SMF Themes are released under your own licenses. So the license it's released under is up to the author.
If a license is not stated then you should realistically assume that it's under the SMF License.
GPL isn't really applicable, as the majority of a theme isn't code. A creative commons licence is probably more appriopriate.
Gary, I'd have to disagree (as themes are a violation of the SMF Licence if you release them anywhere other than the theme site). If nothing is stated assume the theme is released under full copyright.
Quote from: Dannii on May 02, 2008, 09:49:57 AM
If nothing is stated assume the theme is released under full copyright.
That is usually the safe thing to do. I believe that in the US (and I could be wrong) unless it is specified otherwise, no rights are granted on any work (beyond the usual fair use and other standard exemptions).
And fair use is pretty hard to justify legally.
Thanks you! :D
Quote from: Dannii on May 02, 2008, 09:49:57 AMGary, I'd have to disagree (as themes are a violation of the SMF Licence if you release them anywhere other than the theme site). If nothing is stated assume the theme is released under full copyright.
I spotted this and was wondering what the story was. I've just about finished a multicolour version of Outline which I was going to post over at Bikken's place and at Tiny Portal, and since I only use 1.1.5/TP I wasn't planning on bothering with an SMF-only version.
Does the SMF license actually require me to make an SMF-only version as well and I am required to release it here before posting it anywhere else, or since it's basically a variation of any existing theme that has been made with the original author's consent can I just go ahead?
No don't have to make a non TP mod enabled theme and release it here. As long as you have permission from the original author or the custom theme, that is enough.
QuoteI spotted this and was wondering what the story was. I've just about finished a multicolour version of Outline which I was going to post over at Bikken's place and at Tiny Portal, and since I only use 1.1.5/TP I wasn't planning on bothering with an SMF-only version.
Does the SMF license actually require me to make an SMF-only version as well and I am required to release it here before posting it anywhere else, or since it's basically a variation of any existing theme that has been made with the original author's consent can I just go ahead?
The problem is that the licence only allows redistribution of SMF code as a modification. So if your theme has any SMF code in it at all, you are not allowed to legally distribute it anywhere other than here at sm.org. But they don't enforce the licence in that way...
Ok, so technically lots of people are breaking the license agreement, but as long as everyone's sensible about it SMF doesn't mind. I mean if you aren't allowed to distribute SMF code apart from on this site then that means the entire themes section over at Tiny Portal is, in a legalistic sense, a breach of the licensing agreement as are the other sites where people post their own themes.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to reword the license agreement so that everyone is kosher. All it'd take is a short paragraph telling people to ask permission from SMF before posting their themes elsewhere. Admittedly this would increase the workload on the SMF staff, so I can understand if they'd rather avoid that.
Yeah, I do find it a little ironic that one of the devs is breaking the licence ;)
I'm not sure what licence changes it would take (legal stuff sucks) but yes I don't expect it would take much. Or they could release the default SMF theme under a different licence to the other files.
Quote from: antechinus on May 16, 2008, 06:10:25 PM
Perhaps it would be a good idea to reword the license agreement so that everyone is kosher. All it'd take is a short paragraph telling people to ask permission from SMF before posting their themes elsewhere. Admittedly this would increase the workload on the SMF staff, so I can understand if they'd rather avoid that.
Work is being done on revising the license. I cannot say any more on it right now.
Ok someone stole my Style Sheets that I made for SMFforfree. I found them while looking at themes on here: http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/ (http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/) His name is wdm2005 seeing by the authors name that he has for the themes.
Themes that were ripped:
http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=678 (http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=678) - Aqua Angular Theme
http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=677 (http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=677) - Hardcore Change
http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=635 (http://custom.simplemachines.org/themes/index.php?lemma=635) - My PS2 theme that he ripped.
The skins he Riped you can find on smfsupport.com. There are links to the original topic below. Also you can find all the Themes I made on my forum.
The skins he stole are called:
AquaAngular - Original Topic (http://www.smfsupport.com/support/stylesheet_codes/stylesheet_aquaangular-t16111.0.html)
Hardcore Change (Change is what he called it) - http://www.smfsupport.com/support/stylesheet_codes_and_help/stylesheethardcore_change-t8065.0.html;msg39156#msg39156 (http://www.smfsupport.com/support/stylesheet_codes_and_help/stylesheethardcore_change-t8065.0.html;msg39156#msg39156)
PS2 Themed (Sleek Black) - http://ultimategraphics.smfforfree3.com/index.php/topic,233.0.html (http://ultimategraphics.smfforfree3.com/index.php/topic,233.0.html)
You can find where he put them on for a demo Here! (http://waynesworld.kicks-ass.net/114test/index.php?theme=26)
If you would need more proof then PM me for it. I can give you all the proof that you need to show that these are my style sheets.
Firstly we appologise for this, each theme mentioned above has been removed from the Theme Site, and we are looking into the others.
Well, as a style author on many forum softwares in the past, I can tell you loads of stories about finding your work ported,ripped,destroyed,claimed etc all day long. It's something every designer fears and goes through. In the past you could do little more than sit and watch or verbally fight with the offenders, but now there are so many laws and companies who do what they do to resolve issues like this and they do it well.
This battle of right and wrong has been going on for more than 10 years that I have been designing and I don't think it will ever stop. What I do know, is that the #1 way to fight and ultimately stop this in each community of forum softwares, comes down to the community itself. Each one of you no-doubt browse the themes section regularly, looking for that new cool style to use on your own board. Also, it's doubtless that you have used another forum software or seen styles created for it as well. When you see similarities or even the same style/code, you should always take a moment to tell someone about it.
One of the top 3 reasons a style designer will stop, ultimately never bringing new styles or ideas, is because of nothing more than being tired of his work being ripped off or feeling like it's not worth it anymore.
---
Anyway, if anyone is still reading after that little venting...
I am curious to see if any of my old work was ripped off in all of this. Is there a list somewhere, links or a wall of shame posted so that an old style author could investigate this matter any further?
I have recently come back from an extended absence from designing and am about to continue where I left off. Previously I mostly dealt with phpbb but will start designing styles for SMF as well.
I took a stroll through the theme site and I feel confident I could bring plenty of new styles and ideas.
I won't spam anything here, but I do look forward to getting to know the community here and soon hope to bring diversity and new style to this impressively growing forum software.
-Frost
If I see a "layout" that works but I think the graphics need ...um... help... I'll re-do all the graphics and leave the code alone (except to add flash to replace the graphics).... I do leave the original credit posted at the bottom for the layout, but definitely re-site credit to the killer graphics folks I use.
So, am I lame or cool with "enhancing" existing LOOKS? Again, I don't remove credit nor change code (except where there is new flash content)...
QuoteIf I see a "layout" that works but I think the graphics need ...um... help... I'll re-do all the graphics and leave the code alone (except to add flash to replace the graphics).... I do leave the original credit posted at the bottom for the layout, but definitely re-site credit to the killer graphics folks I use.
So, am I lame or cool with "enhancing" existing LOOKS? Again, I don't remove credit nor change code (except where there is new flash content)...
If you're doing that on your own site, it's all good. If you want to release the theme here you MUST get the original author's permission first. It doesn't matter how much you change, or what kind of changes you make, you simply have to have permission to distribute a derivative work.
Flash is always pretty lame though.
Moderator: If this question is not allowed - please remove.
Found this topic by accident while looking through the forum, as I am planning to migrate my current forum hosted by ProBoards to my own server and forum software. At this point SMF is at the top of my list.
The thing is, it took me a while to design my current forum, create the graphics using my rudimentary graphics programs, and set it up the way I wanted it. I would like to keep the same look for a new forum for my people, but SMF is a bit over my head right now to do this or create a theme - in ProBoards it could all be done easily in the admins panel.
So my question - does anyone here build templates based on existing ones from another source? Note that I OWN all the copyrights to this design - I created the graphics myself - so it is not a theft issue as described in this thread at all. I only ask for someone with more experience than me to look at my current forum and then use the colors and graphics to build a new SMF template.
Current forum is HERE (http://sunrisers.proboards46.com)
I have all the graphics used archived on my home system if that helps.
Again - if this is not the proper place for this question, feel free to move it.
Quote from: Saurus on June 09, 2008, 02:35:44 PM
Moderator: If this question is not allowed - please remove.
Not really the right topic, but I'll give a quick answer. We can always split this off.
Quote from: Saurus on June 09, 2008, 02:35:44 PM
The thing is, it took me a while to design my current forum, create the graphics using my rudimentary graphics programs, and set it up the way I wanted it. I would like to keep the same look for a new forum for my people, but SMF is a bit over my head right now to do this or create a theme - in ProBoards it could all be done easily in the admins panel.
ProBoards is based on YaBB, and the style it uses is very similar to YaBB 1 Gold - SP1 (See the screenshot here (http://www.yabbforum.com/images/screenshots/y1sp1_large.png)).
Luckily, the Classic theme that comes with SMF is almost exactly the same (it replicates its ancestor, YaBB SE, which forked at that time). There are a few new images for functionality changes, but the overall style is quite similar. You can easily achieve your look by replacing the images and editing the CSS for Classic. I've done that successfully.
Hi -
I am glad this group/collective (SMF) has made a stand on derivative works. Its an ugly quagmire. I don't personally expect to soon develop SMF themes, but I do like to know where I stand.
I don't find anywhere in the Customize, Themes area any guidance on licenses or their inclusion in themes other than SMF team members are going to review them. I'm not going to play IP lawyer here (I'm not one anyway) but i do know what mine would tell me about that policy. I'm a big fan of WordPress and am looking forward to learning about SMF :D
In fact I was getting ready to post a question about how to update the theme credit info appropriately. (Something I DO know how to handle in WordPress). Where should that inquiry be posted 1.x support or Graphics and Templates?
Is there a stated policy on these things? Thanks in advance for any info.
8)
Quote from: Gazmanafc on February 23, 2008, 10:41:25 PM
Quote from: JoeX51 on February 23, 2008, 10:34:29 PM
I was alittle confused as this topic started to sound as if it was an issue to use other peoples work, that was submitted to the theme site, which did not make sense, since these people submitted them for other people to use.
They may have been submitted for use, but once a work has been published, they become copyrighted and since we have to honour copyright laws, we can not allow it.
I think you misunderstood what I was saying, When I said to "use" someone Else's work I meant on MY own Board, not use it or tweak it and then publish it as my own. Personally I don't see the issue with mixing ideas from different themes that have been submitted to create my own theme for use on my own board. If there is a problem with people doing this then I guess people should not submit themes to be downloaded.
This topic is concerned with providing themes using another's work as your own without permission. If you want to combine two themes on your own site for display, that is not our concern.
That is what My original question was. Thank you for the clarifiction!