Copyright issues

[chalky]

Hi to all,

 

have been hanging around CGarchitect for a while but haven't had a reason to post before as most of my 3D is in-house (architectural practice) and they are fairly happy with the images I produce but recently I have done some work for a third party in my own time.

My question is (I hope someone can help), I have been asked if I could forward a copy of the model I have produced and I was wondering what the copyright issues were regarding the actual model including textures, lights, cameras etc.. I appreciate that the firm I have produced the images for have copyright on the design but was wondering if there are any rules regarding the 3d model.

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

[mbr]

You can try a search for this, it's been discussed.

 

Basically, unless it's in the initial contract/agreement, I wouldn't send the file along. There are lot of things that could be yours, like textures, etc., that took work to make and I wouldn't give them out unless it's paid for.

 

I've had clients that insisted on the model from the beginning, but most don't have a use for it. It's safe to assume that they want the model for their own use (like more renderings without paying you), so I wouldn't give something away for free. If they insist, or think it's absurd for you not to (explain it all to them without forcing anything), then you have to make the call if you want to keep them happy.

 

You coudl just send them a stripped out model, with no textures, lighting, cameras, etc. If they asked for the 'model', then you could give them the 'model'. It's work to put it all together, eitherway, and you should be compensated for it (unless it was part of the agreement).

[Chad Warner]

Most the time its up to you (or your firm) whether or not to hand over the 3d model. The only thing you would need to be concerned with otherwise would be textures/models/etc. that were purchased. You wouldn't be able to transfer them to someone else.

 

-Chad

[chalky]

Many thanks for your comments.

 

My suspicions were that I should only hand over the stripped down model because as has been mentioned, most of the textures were from CD's that I have purchased and I've put the time in setting up lights etc..

 

Thanks Alex for the links they make useful reading and your English is infinitely better than my Spanish.

 

Again thanks for the help.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

Many thanks for your comments.

 

My suspicions were that I should only hand over the stripped down model because as has been mentioned, most of the textures were from CD's that I have purchased and I've put the time in setting up lights etc..

 

Thanks Alex for the links they make useful reading and your English is infinitely better than my Spanish.

 

Again thanks for the help.

 

not only the textures from cd's, but you should also protect the tetures you hand crafted yourself. if you are like me, you spend a lot of time making high quality textures, and then yuo use them over and over in projects. the firm that made paid you to construct the model, didn't necessarily pay you to make your own textures.

 

usually i would say don't hand over the model, but GI dude has some good points.

[Sawyer]

I would be wray of giving away the file. I have never done it and it just makes me uncomfortable. I have worked from other peoples (usually in house drafters models) and it is usually really horrible. I would be afraid that I would model the building do a rendering and they would aske for the model make changes give it back to me and have me rerender it and everything is messed up and modeled wrong. Basically it comes down to you are giving out a file of work you created that has your name on it and letting other people do whatever they want with it. But it seems Alex does this a lot and han't had problems.