Here we go again. Permissions

I've seen wallpaper makers just blindly give permission to make logons and bootskins as long as they give a link to their home page.  I  also know that most skinners (not wallpaper makers) want to see the finished product to make sure it meets their standards.  As a non-skinner, my thought on this is that if I did skin, I'd want to see it before I'd give my permission and I'd think any good skinner would want to do the same.

I blindly allow people to upload. In most cases I don't run the software so I can't even test it. Almost anyone that emails me asking permission gets it. The more the merrier. If it makes my work look bad then so be it. I don't have a commercial interest in it.

People with a commercial interest should protect their work with a passion. If you don't, someone will take advantage...gauranteed! It's human nature. Don't trust anyone when money is involved... ANYONE!

i think it is totally fair to want to look at the work before it is uploaded. this enables the original artist to ensure that the integrity of the work is upheld and also gives them a chance to offer any suggestions to make the thing better. I dont think it was arrogant at all Z71 and you have the absolute right to expect the same high quality and attention to detail of anything based on your work as you give to yours.

I think the artist is entitled to see what of theirs is being ported to something else before it get's uploaded.  And it is their right to approve or deny it.  But, if an artists wants to give blanket permission, such as I.R. Brainiac has done on occasion with a couple of his themes, then so be it.  It's personal preference really.  vStyler, for instance, has given me blanket permission to make skins for any of his themes and I don't "technically" have to ask permission before uploading.  However, I ALWAYS send him what I've made to get his opinion/approval because I don't want to do his skins an injustice by uploading something that he doesn't think is in line with the theme.

messiah1, I'm with ya, 100% on that. It's just like lovely62 always does rainys and weather widgets. I've been meaning to just give her a (blanket) permission, I know her work and she's ported lots of mine. I just keep forgetting to give it to her. Go figure. lol

I would have thought it was a basic courtesy to send the finished product and a screenshot of it in case the original owner does not have the program, when you are requesting permission to upload....

I think it's best to always keep control over your theme's accessories.....most especially with a masterskin....

Can't see how what you did was arrogant. I also agree with syneysiders...and m1 (by extension)(sorry if I missed anyone).

I can see folks also saying, "That's cool...just do it and credit me with a link to....".

Whatever floats your boat...but requesting permission is basic. If the artist gives a blanket permission, then requesting one would be superfluous...but notifying of intent to use the permission would be the polite and correct thing to do.

Here's my take on it...

Skin X = Original skin

Skin Y = Derivative work

If skin Y is made to match skin X, but is built 100% of original artwork, I wouldn't request permission at all... I'd just post it under some fitting name (obviously not the same as the original skin, as it implies a suite.), put a text stating "This skin is made to match skin X" in the description, and leave it be like that.

If skin Y does contain artwork from skin X, or if I want to use the original name of the artwork,  I'd ask for permission, and also send a copy of the skin along with a screenshot to the original author. There's definetely nothing wrong with requesting that as an original skin author. If someone download a bunch of similarily named skins and install them on all sorts of programs, a poorly made skin can easily reflect bad upon the original skinner.

It's perfectly fine to be inspired by someones work, but trying to piggyback on someone more talented to gain som extra downloads will not get anyone very far.

Personally...I have blanket permission from certain skinners to port they're work...which more or less gives me the green light to create something from the they're skins for another application. Having said that...I will still send screenshots of anything I do. Regardless of my reputation here I still feel it's right to let them have some say/input in case they'd like something changed.

It's because they (rightly) trust you to do a good job.

And that's appreciated...but I would never take it for granted. Anything I do I want it to compliment the skin...which is why I will always send screenshots. Who knows...I could have gone off the deep end one day and created something truly horrible!

It is yours......you handle its consent/distribution/permission as you personally see fit.

THAT is what copyright is about.

YOU determine the process under which  right is given to others to 'copy'.

What is defined as 'copy' is where the situation can get 'difficult'.

"inspired by" may not actually use any pre-existing image .... but if it imitates the 'style or 'feel' of a work then it can still be a copyright issue.

The safest bet is....even if 'only' being inspired.... ask first.

Also you can mention in your skin details which way a skin derived on it should be used. If you check the secondary work first it's no arrogance. In fact its obligation of the person who use your skin to show it to you.

In the past I have only given a few people blanket permission concerning my work, a few are still around, but most have left the scene. I do not give blanket permission lightly however and in all other cases I request checking the authors work before it is uploaded. I totally agree with what you are doing Z71. 

So, this skinner has asked permission before. Then he/she would already know that you want to see the work before they upload it, right?

Perhaps the overall tone of your response was what was reguarded as arrogant, and not the fact that you wanted to see it first. We all know that sometimes what you say can me taken a different way when written in text.

If I had been the reciepient of your response, I would have been fine with the fact that you wanted to see the work first, but this part... "I told them, they didn't have to ask. They are free to make anything for themselves, if they choose to do so." ....could be seen as being arrogant. Most skinners would know that already, and adding that in can sound like you're 'talking down' to them. Maybe this is the case?

I like to do the first come first serve idear...

and i would never (NOT) give permision to any one...

As long they are not useing my work as there own...

But with that said where do we all get our insperation when we skin....... From other skins...and skinners....Mixed with our own idears.

So if some one was to use some of my idears with there own twist.... What's wrong with that.

Well that's how i feal.

I rarely give permission to port our work but if someone copped an attitude because i wanted to see it first before they distributed it i would tell them to go #*$@ themselves. Or i would say !*^%$ or maybe even ?#!*&. Once in awhile i'll tell them #*^@ but i have to be really angry to say #*^@ or even !*^%$.

Could have?

 Would? Have! 

*Doc thinks good communications skills mean respect, consideration and deference. Doc also impatiently awaits the patch for Vista!!!! Jeff's stuff rocks!

that's a good alternative suggestion Xiandi....

I would think the skinner might already know you'd say "#*$@".....or maybe even " !*^%$"...or sometimes, possibly... " #*^@ or even !*^%$"...and not give you attitude to start with.....

I see nothing wrong with asking to see something before you allow one to upload. It can be a very good idea. I, personally have blanket permission from a few masters, and others here, due to my reputation. I have given a few people blanket permission to use any of my original graphics, but they are people I trust to do good work. And I know, without being told to, they will let me see the outcome before uploading.  But asking to see a work first is completely understandable. A good addon skin can help sales for a master skin, but a bad one could hurt it. I say if you want to see it first, that is only protect your interests.

Now, as far as arrogance, I guess I have run across that a time or two. Some people are just not a " people person " and just come across as arrogant. Some are maybe just not good with words, and sometimes, as in an email, for instance, text can be taken wrong. It is hard to get tone from text, so misunderstandings happen too, sometimes. There are those who make it fairly easy to get tone from text too.

@Po: does that mean you'll consult with me before uploading any of your . . . . photos of me?

The key word is 'artist'.