Quote from MasterLagger on August 21, 2011, 11:34 pm

Yeah, I know it's a last resort, like I said before "if all else fails."

So ideas so far are:
1) Email the admin about it. Hopefully he/she will understand.
2) Blocking the hotlink files. If they need the download link to be linked to this site for it to be "legal,"

LostProphetPunk wrote:

by directing the downloader to this website for the download.

then I don't think they can manually download and upload copies of them without some legal issues. This might not be 100% true, but I'm trying to look up what counts as plagiarism.
3)Last resort: Humiliation

Quote from Lostprophetpunk on August 22, 2011, 2:48 am

The owner of the site was trying to say it was legal due to the fact that making maps is basically re-distributing content of Valve.

So I was like "that is not true. Valve have given you permission to make maps, which does re-distribute their content...in the form of having the authoring tools to download."

Then I continued to mention about the fact that he is still uploading content that is partly the owner of the mapper, due to the ideas etc. I also mentioned the fact that Portal2Maps never host any of the maps directly on their website etc.

Here is a link to the thread on Steam if anyone wants to follow etc.

Quote from ChickenMobile on August 22, 2011, 6:05 am

I don't really see what the big hullabaloo is about. Technically the authors of the maps are getting more downloads for their maps if their work is spread throughout sources on the internet. What I don't like is when someone takes your map, puts it on their site, and not state that you are the author of the map.

For example this: http://www.jacklands.webs.com/
That picture of the Mario and Luigi I made. Any mention? Nooooo...

Quote from MasterLagger on August 22, 2011, 10:52 am

Well, I read the thread on Steam. After all of that and the admin still hasn't ask the author permission. Asking makes all the difference.

BTW Nice M&L picture ChickenMobile.

Edit: They got my map up there too! ASK FIRST DAMNIT!

Quote from Lostprophetpunk on August 22, 2011, 12:26 pm

MasterLagger wrote:

Edit: They got my map up there too! ASK FIRST DAMNIT!

They have virtually everyone's maps etc up on the website.

Also ChickenMobile...you should get the Mario and Luigi printed.

Quote from T3rm1 on August 22, 2011, 1:37 pm

Hi guys,

I'm the one who created PortalDB. I see there is a lot displeasure floating around concerning the maps I hosted. Most of the maps can indeed be found here as well. My only intention is to create a place where everyone can search through all the maps available for Portal 2. Although I'm biased - for obvious reason - I think we were able to accomplish this.

I checked this site and didn't find any note or license that forbid downloading the maps and hosting them elsewhere. I offer you to contact me if you want your map removed on PortalDB. Send an email to admin/aportaldb.net and write me the names of your maps.

In addition I'm going to add a link and note to each of the maps that is also hosted on TWP. I will link to the specific thread just like portal2maps.net does. This is really no problem.

Then again I don't understand your problem with the situation right now. I offer a free service without any advertisements that gives you the possibility to reach more users with your map.

I hope you will use and enjoy my site in the future. Any suggestions are welcome.

Kind regards,
T3rm1

Quote from Lostprophetpunk on August 22, 2011, 1:43 pm

T3rm1 wrote:

Then again I don't understand your problem with the situation right now. I offer a free service without any advertisements that gives you the possibility to reach more users with your map.

The problem is the fact that you just downloaded the maps, re-uploaded them without the map-creator's permission, as well as use all of the data (download description, no. of downloads, and also ratings) from this website.

It's fine by me if you create a website that can host maps, but only the maps that have been uploaded by the mappers...not you. The only thing that needs to be done when doing this, is not to download maps that have been uploaded elsewhere (without the mapper's permission) and upload them to the website. The only content that should be on your website, is the stuff that has been personally uploaded by the mapper's themselves...and not stuff that has been uploaded by you on behalf of the mappers without their knowledge.

Quote from Mek on August 22, 2011, 1:55 pm

I can't really see the problem you are all having. I, personally, uploaded my map here and on MaL and several other sites (including mine) a long time ago. When, after some time, I googled for my map, I was surprised to see it hosted on many other sites and I was GLaD for that. I mean, you can really reach more audience with what you have created. Plus the advantage of having your map hosted on more sites than here - if nothing more, it is one more place for people to find your map if, eventually, they could not download it from here. So, as long as credit is given, what's the problem?

Quote from MasterLagger on August 22, 2011, 2:08 pm

Look, I don't mind having my maps on a different website, but people should ask me first before putting it on another site. Same thing for everyone else. Mappers get upset when their maps are uploaded "behind their back" to a different site without their consent. I understand people just want to make a website for downloading Portal 2 maps and that's absolutely fine. But if they want a map from another site however, then you should ask the author first. I personally don't mind having a map on another site, I just would like to be asked ahead of time.