3DTotal criticizes Linden Lab's slow response to Second Life piracy

A few weeks ago on Computerworld, I interviewed two 3D artists who work for 3DTotal. One of the artists, Tom Greenway, is actually the founder of the 3DTotal website, which has since branched out into print publishing and software products, such as 3D tutorials and textures.

The interview mostly discussed issues relating to 3D art and artists, but for the last question I asked Greenway what he thought about Second Life. I had supposed that a virtual world with extensive creative opportunities seemed like a natural fit for 3D artists.

But my thinking was wrong. Not only did Greenway note the relatively poor 3D graphics tools that are available to Second Life residents, but also he slammed Second Life's parent company for not having a rapid response workflow to take down pirated 3DTotal software products:

The reason for my dislike is that it serves as a place where people illegally sell [3DTotal's] texture products. Sure, this happens on eBay and lots of other places on the 'Net, but the [merchants] in Second Life seemed particularly hard to get taken down, wasting even more of my staff's time getting through red tape. I really think companies like [Second Life's parent company Linden Lab] that make so much money should set up fast and efficient systems to help people like us when we are being ripped off through their systems.

Sounds kind of like the takedown flak Google received after they first bought YouTube -- entertainment companies all over the world wanted copyrighted content taken down when it was posted, instead of drumming their fingers while lawyers drew up threatening takedown notices.