NationStates Jolt Archive

Is flag stealing allowed in NationStates? I have searched through the forums and FAQ's, yet it does not say anything about flag theft.
I do not want to steal a flag, I just found out some did to me, and yes I am 100% sure I made it.

Well I'm sure you can have duplicates, but i don't know it depends on what you mean by stealing

The best solution is to telegram the nation who took your flag and explain that it's a custom design, and you'd rather not share it.

Unless you are using your own copyrighted design, there aren't a lot of actual legal steps that can be taken, but Nationstates expects a modicum of courtesy from our players. If they don't respond positively, we'll evaluate your case and consider 'assisting' them in finding a new flag.

I have telegrammed the nation, he has not respond yet.
I would have not mind if he would have asked me if he could use the flag, but I think it is rude to just take it without asking.

Unless you are using your own copyrighted design, there aren't a lot of actual legal steps that can be taken,
Surely even if it is copyrighted (which it will be automatically due to the Berne Convention), another player can specify the same flag as NationStates has already been granted a 'non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content' (as per NS Terms and Conditions) so therefore can't 'infringe the intellectual property of a third party'?

Surely even if it is copyrighted (which it will be automatically due to the Berne Convention), another player can specify the same flag as NationStates has already been granted a 'non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content' (as per NS Terms and Conditions) so therefore can't 'infringe the intellectual property of a third party'?

Uh...wait...what?:confused:

Surely even if it is copyrighted (which it will be automatically due to the Berne Convention), another player can specify the same flag as NationStates has already been granted a 'non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content' (as per NS Terms and Conditions) so therefore can't 'infringe the intellectual property of a third party'?
You've obviously studied this in greater depth than have I. I'll take your word for the legalities of the situation.

NS courtesy, on the other hand, has always held that stealing someone else's custom flag was rude. We've never considered it a major actionable item, but on several occasions we've reverted the 'thief' nation's flag to the default under the 'malicious' clause in the FAQ. As previously stated, we'd have to evaluate the exact circumstances before acting.

Surely even if it is copyrighted (which it will be automatically due to the Berne Convention), another player can specify the same flag as NationStates has already been granted a 'non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content' (as per NS Terms and Conditions) so therefore can't 'infringe the intellectual property of a third party'?

Basically what he said is, if you upload it, NS can give it to anyone it wants.

Surely even if it is copyrighted (which it will be automatically due to the Berne Convention), another player can specify the same flag as NationStates has already been granted a 'non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content' (as per NS Terms and Conditions) so therefore can't 'infringe the intellectual property of a third party'?
Wow. You mean someone actually read the "terms and conditions" message?

Surely even if it is copyrighted (which it will be automatically due to the Berne Convention), another player can specify the same flag as NationStates has already been granted a 'non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content' (as per NS Terms and Conditions) so therefore can't 'infringe the intellectual property of a third party'?Except that NationStates was granted the license, not NationStates users. Take my flag, for instance:

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/the_most_glorious_hack.jpg

This was made by Tsaraine and given to me. He gave me permission to use it, and I have (tacitly) given NationStates the right to use it, if they wanted to for some reason*. Such as if they were to do a "Nation of the Day" deal, or created a page dedicated to custom flags.

Now, if on the flag pulldown menu there was an entry titled "Random Custom Flag" that gave you a random flag from the uploads directory, then it would still fall under that license, and would be perfectly within our rights. However, I don't view the T&C as granting license to other players, which would need to be the case here. At least as I'm reading it.

*For what it's worth, we technically need that license to show the flags on regional pages and world pages, or so I've been led to believe.

The thread title made me think of Flag Thief :D

Now, if on the flag pulldown menu there was an entry titled "Random Custom Flag" that gave you a random flag from the uploads directory, then it would still fall under that license, and would be perfectly within our rights.
Set those code-monkies to work:D