[smoore]

Originally Posted by TenPercenter

p.s. I expect you to opt in Sean!

Glad to hear it...

Does that mean I can't buy the Binions Tribute chips?

[TenPercenter]

Originally Posted by luckychick

I think this is well said.

I think what Ten is proposing here is great - we just need to be cautious in wording/implementation.

Of course we get inspirations from everyday life, and now and again things that are tributes will come along. But a positive re-inforcement of orginality and creativity to known and new members is a good thing. Policing isn't necessary. Encouraging originality is easy, and can be done in a postive way - just don't be an ass about it. Having a positive statement saying "We encourage and promote original, unique designs" is a good; saying "Hey jerk, you're a plagerizing bstd, stop it" is bad. We have a good enough group here at chiptalk that I think we can do this maturely.

I think sometimes replicas get made because people don't have the courage to try something new; or don't believe they have the talent. I think we've also demonstrated over the last couple of years that a little effort, encouragement and help can result in people with "no artistic talent" ending up with some spectacular original designs. I believe that making a statement promoting original designs might end up with some much happier chip owners in the end.

I agree that a positive approach (vs negative) is better. I actually live my life that way, and it works very well.

I am ALL FOR trying, but try to re-word Joe's numbered list with a positive spin. Is it possible?

[smoore]

Bah, negatives are a part of life. Here's a few:

DON'T walk in front of a bus.
DON'T drink bleach.
DON'T poke bears.

[7thSeat]

Originally Posted by smoore

Bah, negatives are a part of life. Here's a few:

DON'T walk in front of a bus.
DON'T drink bleach.
DON'T poke bears.

LOL, I guess positive statements would be something like.

Walk on the pavement.
Drink healthy stuff.
Admire bears from a distanse.

[shanghai_sparky]

I have no problem with someone making a clone of Bellagio chips as their own.
I do support the initiative to protect someone's hard work and artwork from Ahopen-like bootlegging.
At least, doing it without permission.

If I see a style of chip or label design that I like and admire, I would ask permission to use that work as a base for a new design.

[tonypap]

Originally Posted by Couga

I am with you! Although some have been pretty cool, I too think commemorative chips could lead to confusion by others not "in the know".

- Couga

I completely agree with you, coug.

I'm in TEN, "no copy cat chips..." is OK by me!

[TenPercenter]

Originally Posted by smoore

Binions Tribute chips?

Oh yeah, I forgot about that euphemism.

[TheMightyJim2k]

Originally Posted by smoore

Don't make it something people feel coerced into e-signing.

Copycat chips are a big deal. People love 'em. As long as the legal stuff is taken care of, I say go for it!

So... instead of making it ct.net "suggested operating ethics" make it a club. An exclusive group of people who have signed a pledge that they will not "copy" chips. The definition of "copy" would be determined by the group.

The rest of ct.net can go about it's business, everyone doing their own thing, chipping along. People are making replica chips in Custom Chip Mockups while just two threads down there is the spark of the NextBigThing©

Say one day someone who came to ct.net because of a WSOP replica group buy and finds the C5 manifesto. "Wow, I was so foolish! Here I was worried about having these EXACT replica chips I completely missed this point! Man, I better find an artist!"

You have just taught a man to fish.

I'm not sure if I'd join the club but I know I wouldn't participate in a site-wide code.

I voted no

IMHO this hits the nail on the head. In fact I would think something much less formal than what Joe has drafted.

I think that replicas are an important part of people's evolution as poker "junk" collectors. Most people buy dice, then nexgens or faux or something, then finally they save some money and want to pick up something cool, but don't have enough time or money to buy Paulsons or design ASMs. So they find a reasonable compromise in some cool WSOP or Bellagio replicas that their friends will really like and won't break the bank. They purchase and are very happy. Over time they browse the site get more interested in other things and decide to gets some customs.

while most of the people that have been on here for a long time agree with this, I know if I was a brand new member I would be really confused and dismayed why I couldn't pick up the cool WSOP or Horseshoe copies that everyone was buying last year for less money $$$ per chip.

I honestly think that something like the C5 is really only important for people that do a lot of design work on here.

I personally don't see it as necessary, but if a lot of people are behind, then I think having a very positive (and unecessary) club of designers and buyers is the only way that the C5 could fit into the site without causing a disconnect between the frequent and long time chip junkies, and the new influx of members that want to become part of the community.

just my .02

[smoore]

Originally Posted by 7thSeat

LOL, I guess positive statements would be something like.

Walk on the pavement.
Drink healthy stuff.
Admire bears from a distanse.

None of those quite import the gravity of the situation, correct?

I love a capitalized DON'T! Really gets the point across

[Strange]

Originally Posted by shanghai_sparky

I have no problem with someone making a clone of Bellagio chips as their own.
I do support the initiative to protect someone's hard work and artwork from Ahopen-like bootlegging.
At least, doing it without permission.

I'm not sure I understand this point of view. In theory, there would be little difference between me copying the Bellagio chip, or copying the samurais. I'd guess that if I tried to get a samurai copy and succeeded, i wouldn't be welcome to set up shop here in order to sell it.

Not sure this has been covered yet, but the concept of c5, and the general adherence to it would be to the benefit of some of our vendor friends and to the detriment of others. I probably don't need to list who is who, the more vocal vendors have made their position pretty clear.

I personally have my doubts about the effectiveness of c5 without it being policed. It just appears to create a two tier membership, one slightly more smug than the other.

schism –noun : division or disunion, esp. into mutually opposed parties.