For those that wanted the Sentinel story:

 

 

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/cops-no-thanks-to-personalized-fantasy-games/

 

-MostChameleon

That comes off as a balancd story though. I'm waiting for the comments however....

I did the same thing with some of my Halifax Regional Police skins, although it didn't turn out like this, they used one of my photos for one of their monthly cover letters for HRP to see.

Did they credit you or?

You'd actually be surprised. I remember awhile back my friend made a youtube video on a police department and they found out about it and posted it on their facebook wall sharing it.

That is great to hear.   But i have seen people(not associated with the PD,  but sometimes locals i think) get riled up over the portrayal of their dept ingame.

 

Some people(not many) do post disclaimers in the video descriptions or the intro to the video which i think is a benefit to everyone. (i need to get started writing my own)  Once they say no,   you have to respect that.   It is too bad though.

For those that wanted the Sentinel story:

 

 

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/articles/cops-no-thanks-to-personalized-fantasy-games/

 

-MostChameleon

 

Just the facts, Sir.   

 

 

Good article,   it has comments from both sides.  And it gives you the two viewpoints(good or bad) of what people may see or do inside the game.  It is simple and leaves you to make your opinion.

 

 

Cheers,

Edited July 1, 201312 yr by KyneiZero

No Ford will not do a thing, because the car makers (unless it's a special case....see Porsche and the Enduracers rFactor mod, or Ferrari and BATRacer) don't exactly make a habit of slapping down mod teams. Ford frankly do not give a crap whether you use a CVPI, a PD however does.

 

 

 

 

You don't know that for a fact (unless you are on Fords legal team).  I'd presume you're correct in that assertion, but you simply can't say that as absolutely factual, cause they could and they do all the time.  I wouldn't want to find out either.  

 

...just sayin'

 

DrDetroit

Edited July 1, 201312 yr by drdetroit

I normally dislike journalists....but that Sentinel article restored (bits of) my faith in humanity

 

Still a LONG way to go but eh, a start's a start

EDIT: Oh and about the Ford thing? I have seen discussions about licensing for a race sim that Ford have licensed a handful of cars for. It basically boils down to this:

You gave us a list of cars

 

Here's the cars you can use based off of that list

 

Get to getting them in game and we don't care about works skins as they come with the license.

Additionally, Ford have bigger fish to fry. Do you really think they'll go after one Youtuber versus a Chinese firm making an identical Explorer or Escape knockoff? In that case I know which I'd go for, the Youtuber is small time, the car firm is a bigger threat.

There's a simple way to test. Upload a video of a modded Ford in a game, wait for a takedown

Edited July 1, 201312 yr by celticfang

Good article...never know how the journalist will spin these kind of stories.  

 

One thing is certain, they (GJPD), do know who you are now!  

 

DrDetroit

To whomever it may concern,

 

Here's the story behind why I cannot upload the GJPD skins anymore:

I don't want to necessarily offend you by saying this, but I think you may have single-handedly managed to harm the reputation of the LCPDFR community among a group of police officers, perpetuate the negative reputation of Grand Theft Auto IV, and also discredit your work as a graphic designer (should you decide the pursue that career in the future) all because of a single Facebook post. I have no idea why you felt you needed to post that at all on their public Facebook page, rather than leaving your fandom of your police department among good company who play the mod with you. Bad move. Lets hope other police departments don't catch onto this and ruin it for the rest of us by issuing further takedown requests. You may have opened pandora's box.

Let this serve as an example to the rest of you that there are are always risks you take when copying designs. And this is the most extreme repercussion. A cease and desist letter, and your name in the paper. I really hope a bigger paper or news network doesn't pick this story up.

Edited July 2, 201312 yr by unr3al

I don't want to necessarily offend you by saying this, but I think you may have single-handedly managed to harm the reputation of the LCPDFR community among a group of police officers, perpetuate the negative reputation of Grand Theft Auto IV, and also discredit your work as a graphic designer (should you decide the pursue that career in the future) all because of a single Facebook post. I have no idea why you felt you needed to post that at all on their public Facebook page, rather than leaving your fandom of your police department among good company who play the mod with you. Bad move. Lets hope other police departments don't catch onto this and ruin it for the rest of us by issuing further takedown requests. You may have opened pandora's box.

Let this serve as an example to the rest of you that there are are always risks you take when copying designs. And this is the most extreme repercussion. A cease and desist letter, and your name in the paper. I really hope a bigger paper or news network doesn't pick this story up.

 

 

Yes, sending them a message like that was wrong in the first place. It was the most idiotic and stupidest thing that I could of done. Jump on the bandwagon, cause you ain't the first nor last person to throw that in my face. Was I thinking straight that day, maybe not. But I am not going to go behind the GJPD's back, hide in the corner, and then pretend nothing happened. I wanted them to be informed that I was using their image. I believe it would of caused more harm if they found out about it before I told them. And I sure as heck wasn't trying to prance around yelling "LOOK WHAT I DID, LOOK AT ME" to everyone. I wanted to inform them before an even worse scenario happened. Maybe you don't realize this, but this was a personal request from the Chief so he can protect the GJPD's image. Kate Porras, spokeswoman and Press Director for the GJPD, informed me that there was no legal action since the GJPD doesn't have their stuff copyrighted. The real reason that the Chief wanted it down is because of the Bad Rep the PD has gotten in the last couple of years because of off-duty officers doing stupid sh*t, like cutting up homeless people's tents or beating the sh*t out of them.

 

Also, what is wrong with being proud of your work and community. I understand that copyright is the main reason you guys don't show-off your work, but you can't stay a hermit forever. With how big this community is and growing more and more, it will eventually get out to the public.

 

So Thank you for attacking me for my decisions. I know I did wrong. I obviously should have never started this project due to how many times I have been attacked now. I promise you that I won't try again. Thank you for showing me my errors of my ways, because it had to take someone else to point them out for me to see them obviously.

 

-MostChameleon

Fan of the GJPD AND LCPDFR

Yes, sending them a message like that was wrong in the first place. It was the most idiotic and stupidest thing that I could of done. Jump on the bandwagon, cause you ain't the first nor last person to throw that in my face. Was I thinking straight that day, maybe not. But I am not going to go behind the GJPD's back, hide in the corner, and then pretend nothing happened. I wanted them to be informed that I was using their image. I believe it would of caused more harm if they found out about it before I told them. And I sure as heck wasn't trying to prance around yelling "LOOK WHAT I DID, LOOK AT ME" to everyone. I wanted to inform them before an even worse scenario happened. Maybe you don't realize this, but this was a personal request from the Chief so he can protect the GJPD's image. Kate Porras, spokeswoman and Press Director for the GJPD, informed me that there was no legal action since the GJPD doesn't have their stuff copyrighted. The real reason that the Chief wanted it down is because of the Bad Rep the PD has gotten in the last couple of years because of off-duty officers doing stupid sh*t, like cutting up homeless people's tents or beating the sh*t out of them.

 

Also, what is wrong with being proud of your work and community. I understand that copyright is the main reason you guys don't show-off your work, but you can't stay a hermit forever. With how big this community is and growing more and more, it will eventually get out to the public.

 

So Thank you for attacking me for my decisions. I know I did wrong. I obviously should have never started this project due to how many times I have been attacked now. I promise you that I won't try again. Thank you for showing me my errors of my ways, because it had to take someone else to point them out for me to see them obviously.

 

-MostChameleon

Fan of the GJPD AND LCPDFR

 

If it's not a copyrighted image like you said, then how is it going behind their back, exactly? The scenario that likely would have taken place had you told nobody would be that nobody from that police department finds the image because it's in an obscure place on the internet tucked away in a .RAR file or something, and you and a couple of other fans of your PD use the cars for their own personal roleplay use and live happily ever after, so to speak. And by the way, why are you so proud of a police department that tears apart homeless peoples tents and beats up civilians? Some idols. Copyright infringement has nothing to do with being a hermit. This community is publicized to an extent, but nobody needs literal 'negative press' or trolls breathing down our back for police simulator roleplaying using a video game that's raised more than its fair share of moral objections.

And even though you're being sarcastic with me; yes, it did take someone else to point them out to you. Namely the chief of police and your departments PR rep. You'll have to excuse my frustration because while the letter you got may only bother you, the repercussions from an incident like this bother me way more. Far beyond any personal consequences like letters or phone calls. I pointed out that you may have put this whole modification in jeopardy in a worst case scenario because I didn't think you understood the gravity of the situation, nor do a lot of people here for that matter. What's done is done and you can't undo the past. But I want people to be able to look at this thread and learn from it. I'd suggest that it be stickied at the top of the forum, but I don't want to cause you any further embarrassment.

I began my first reply to with with the words "I don't want to necessarily offend you". And I meant that. And I still do mean it. I'm not here bury you for a mistake that landed you a name drop in a news article. But I'm here to try and make everybody understand that what some people do to their copies of GTA IV is already borderline dangerous as far as unwanted attention is concerned, even when you have to go digging for Ford Crown Victoria car models on an underground mod website. This pushed it over the edge and did indeed get you some unwanted attention that could lead to further problems down the road. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that never happens. And on a personal note, I truly do hope it doesn't do any damage to your future career ambitions. Some police departments might take police roleplaying the wrong way, insomuch as that I wouldn't put it on my resume. Or the newspapers. As DrDetroit said earlier, the GJPD will certainly know who you are now. I hope everything works out for you in the end.

Edited July 2, 201312 yr by unr3al

If it's not a copyrighted image like you said, then how is it going behind their back, exactly? The scenario that likely would have taken place had you told nobody would be that nobody from that police department finds the image because it's in an obscure place on the internet tucked away in a .RAR file or something, and you and a couple of other fans of your PD use the cars for their own personal roleplay use. And by the way, why are you so proud of a police department that tears apart homeless peoples tents and beats up civilians? Some idols. Copyright infringement has nothing to do with being a hermit. This community is publicized to an extent, but nobody needs literal 'negative press' or trolls breathing down our back for police simulator roleplaying using a video game that's raised more than its fair share of moral objections.

And even though you're being sarcastic with me; yes, it did take someone else to point them out to you. Namely the chief of police and your departments PR rep. While the letter you got may only bother you, the repercussions from an incident like this bother me way more. Far beyond any personal consequences like letters or phone calls. I pointed out that you may have put this whole modification in jeopardy in a worst case scenario because I didn't think you understood the gravity of the situation, nor do a lot of people here for that matter. What's done is done and you can't undo the past. But I want people to be able to look at this thread and learn from it. I'd suggest that it be stickied at the top of the forum, but I don't want to cause you any further embarrassment.

I began my first reply to with with the words "I don't want to necessarily offend you". And I meant that. And I still do mean it. I'm not here bury you for a mistake that landed you a name drop in a news article. But I'm here to try and make everybody understand that what some people do to their copies of GTA IV is already borderline dangerous as far as unwanted attention is concerned, even when you have to go digging for Ford Crown Victoria car models on an underground mod website. This pushed it over the edge and did indeed get you some unwanted attention that could lead to further problems down the road. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that never happens. And on a personal note, I truly do hope it doesn't do any damage to your future career ambitions. Some police departments might take police roleplaying the wrong way, insomuch as that I wouldn't put it on my resume. Or the newspapers. As DrDetroit said earlier, the GJPD will certainly know who you are now. I hope everything works out for you in the end.

Well Stated. +1 

 

@MostChameleon Everyone makes mistakes. I personally have made quite a few.  

Same here. I've had some unwanted attention from police for traffic violations like speeding, or a noise complaint call. If I applied to a department they'd show up on my record, and I'm sure they'd ask me about them. I even got my name mentioned in the papers for being involved in a car accident, which was not my proudest moment. Everything worked out in the end though and the po-po let me off in those cases. I've moved on since and chalk them up to lessons learned.

Edited July 2, 201312 yr by unr3al

If it's not a copyrighted image like you said, then how is it going behind their back, exactly? The scenario that likely would have taken place had you told nobody would be that nobody from that police department finds the image because it's in an obscure place on the internet tucked away in a .RAR file or something, and you and a couple of other fans of your PD use the cars for their own personal roleplay use and live happily ever after, so to speak. And by the way, why are you so proud of a police department that tears apart homeless peoples tents and beats up civilians? Some idols. Copyright infringement has nothing to do with being a hermit. This community is publicized to an extent, but nobody needs literal 'negative press' or trolls breathing down our back for police simulator roleplaying using a video game that's raised more than its fair share of moral objections.

And even though you're being sarcastic with me; yes, it did take someone else to point them out to you. Namely the chief of police and your departments PR rep. You'll have to excuse my frustration because while the letter you got may only bother you, the repercussions from an incident like this bother me way more. Far beyond any personal consequences like letters or phone calls. I pointed out that you may have put this whole modification in jeopardy in a worst case scenario because I didn't think you understood the gravity of the situation, nor do a lot of people here for that matter. What's done is done and you can't undo the past. But I want people to be able to look at this thread and learn from it. I'd suggest that it be stickied at the top of the forum, but I don't want to cause you any further embarrassment.

I began my first reply to with with the words "I don't want to necessarily offend you". And I meant that. And I still do mean it. I'm not here bury you for a mistake that landed you a name drop in a news article. But I'm here to try and make everybody understand that what some people do to their copies of GTA IV is already borderline dangerous as far as unwanted attention is concerned, even when you have to go digging for Ford Crown Victoria car models on an underground mod website. This pushed it over the edge and did indeed get you some unwanted attention that could lead to further problems down the road. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that never happens. And on a personal note, I truly do hope it doesn't do any damage to your future career ambitions. Some police departments might take police roleplaying the wrong way, insomuch as that I wouldn't put it on my resume. Or the newspapers. As DrDetroit said earlier, the GJPD will certainly know who you are now. I hope everything works out for you in the end.

 

I understand where you are coming from, but you also got to understand that LCPDFR is a public modification, open to the public. I think the members of this community know about the risks they take when they upload potentially copyrighted content. Yet, we still remain prosperous in the fact that we stick together, no matter what. And if you really think that LCPDFR is in danger because of one member's mistake, then why isn't it closed in private so that it could never be jeopardized in such a way? I apologize for making this community look bad, but you got to understand that with something this big, something will eventually. I too hope that never happens. I thank you for your concern, but I am responsible for my future. If I jeopardized my future, it's my fault, no one else's. Therefore, I do not deserve remorse. I am willing to take full responsibility for my actions. And if you believe that I will cause more harm, I can leave this community so it can continue to prosper without me single handedly ruining it.

I don't think you'll cause more harm, so long as you've learned from this. As said before, what's done is done. Let's use this event as an example of what to stay away from in the future. LCPDFR itself, as a script would most likely be able to stay even if other P.D.'s started cracking down on skins and car manufacturers started cracking down on models. But those fancy car mods everyone's so fond of would cease to exist which unfortunately makes a big difference in gameplay for a lot of folks. As you said, we are a group. And although I admire you taking responsibility for yourself and your future, actions we (meaning any of us, not just you) perform here may effect others. And we all need to keep that in mind to keep everyone's hard work protected, including your own. I'd hate the thought of having to delete a skin I worked on for hours in Photoshop. That's all I wanted to point out to everyone.

Well, I'd like to thank you for what I can expect from the rest of the community later on. I understand that you are being polite about this, but not everyone will be as respectful. I understand that I will not be liked in this community anymore. I am not saying I am leaving, but I am definitely not going to participate as much anymore due to further risk of damaging the community's image. I hope for the best for LCPDFR, even if it means that I have to leave the picture.

Closed as per MostChameleon's request

Nothing to see here!

---

This topic has been closed by LCPDFR.com staff.
If you feel that this topic has been closed in error, please report this post.