Get the Word Out: Filesharing Sites Deleting Content!

There are many generous Simmers out there who take it upon themselves to share the custom content that they have downloaded from paysites with the rest of the community. Some of them contribute to sites like PMBD and Sims Cave, while others upload content to filesharing sites and distribute it through forums and blogs. Unfortunately, since this content is originally purchased, it is sometimes blocked or deleted from sites like RapidShare for "illegal content." Let's try to keep the content flowing (and the people sharing it from having their accounts blocked and reputations slandered) by contacting filesharing sites that engage in this practice and letting them know all about the EULA and it's rules on content distribution.

I decided to write an email the the powers that be at RS after visiting Antonella's blog and finding that a number of the files she is trying to share have been blocked. Putting pressure on sites to allow Sims content may or may not have any effect, but it's worth a shot. If you'd like to send an email of your own (to RS or any other site that deletes legal content for falsely believing that the uploader is breaking the law), here's a copy of the email I sent. You're welcome to copypasta it, but I've already posted it on two other blogs, so there's a chance that they'll get the same email a few times. We want them to let us share Sims content because it's the right thing to do, not because we annoyed them into it. ;) Besides, they could potentially just ignore our pleas out of irritation.

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To: abuse@rapidshare.de
Subj: "Pirated" Custom Content for The Sims 3

To Whom It May Concern:

Recently, I have attempted to use your service to download files for use in my copy of The Sims 3. I have found that a great number of these files are being regularly blocked or deleted as a result of perceived "illegal content," because said files were originally released on sites that charge for download access. I just wanted to drop you a quick note regarding the erroneous assertion that redistribution of these files is illegal, in the hope that these files may not be blocked in the future.

The EULA for TS3 makes it very clear that the redistribution of said pay-files is perfectly legal. The EULA explicitly states that a creator of these files "hereby waive[s] any moral rights of paternity, publication, reputation, or attribution under applicable law with respect to EA's and other players' use and enjoyment of such content contributions in connection with the Software." Furthermore, "when you contribute content through the Software, you expressly grant to other users of the Software the non-exclusive, perpetual, transferable, worldwide, irrevocable right to access and use, copy, modify, display, perform, and create and distribute derivative works from, your contributed content."

Of course, Electronic Arts has their own content that is sold at The Sims Store. These files are created and distributed directly by EA and it may very well be illegal to redistribute them. Hoever, all players and creators of custom content are completely free to redistribute or alter the files that are initially distributed on such Sims paysites as The Sims Resource and Peggy Zone, wherever they see fit. The original artists waive all ownership of the content the moment it is released into the community. Individuals and sites who choose to share that content, whether it be on their own servers or through filesharing sites like RS, have every right to do so. Many have already made the switch from RS to other filesharing sites, in part to avoid the hassle of their uploads being continually and pointlessly blocked.

I know that it is probably impossible to avoid all of the player-created Sims pay-files from being blocked on RS, but it is my hope that by bringing this to your attention (if no one has done so already), these files will no longer be actively targeted for deletion. Many thousands of players, with EA's EULA firmly on their side, would like to have access to such content, and using your site is one way that they attempt to do so.

Thank you for your time,
[my name and contact information]

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Aaaanyway, I know I've been pretty inactive since I started this blog, even though it wasn't that long ago. Things have been hectic in the real world lately: my fiance is recovering from surgery, my car broke down, and I'm in the process of starting the bookstore and starting a new part-time job on top of that. I already have quite a number of blogs drafted, mostly uber-noob guides on how to get started in the field of customizing TS3, but something has gone awry with the formatting and I simply haven't had the time to fix it. It's easy to multitask enough to check a blog here and there while I work, but major formatting takes more time and attention. I hope to get everything running in the next week or two, at which point I'll start posting new stuff. In the mean time, you're not missing anything, I promise. ;)