Hey guys.
As someone who does 3d modeling as a passion, and to make a few bucks on the side, it is super demotivating to see my models used by customers however they please.
All my models come with an editorial license which prevents any commercial use, which includes reselling stl files or 3d printed figures.
Still, I constantly see my models/figures sold on various sites like etsy, wallapop(Spain), shopee(Vietnamese)... without my authorization. What is worse is that site owners won't take those items down, or even if they do, the seller can still re-upload the item without any repercussions.
There are also sites like "figureout3d (Bangladesh)" which is personally owned where there is no chance for an item to get removed.
What is even worse is that many of those listings are above mine when you search Google and are sold for many times less than what I am selling on cgtrader. Reducing my sales even further.
I am interested to know if there is anything much more I can do? I could use some advice.
Simply put, I am thinking about stopping producing STL files for good. Even though there is money to be made, I am not sure it is worth losing sleep over it.
I think your biggest "problem" is that you're making exceptionally good models that are in high demand and they are very lucrative to unscrupulous people. You may try to go DMCA route, but this will cost you money and more important your time. You will be forced to play this whack-a-mole game, that you have no chance to win. Maybe consider stopping selling digital files and start producing printed miniatures and selling them by yourself. That way it would be much harder for thieves to steal your hard work. They still can try to reverse engineering your prints, but this requires much effort and skill and the end result would still be significantly inferior compared to your originals, so that would cut theft rates by 90% at least. The downside of this of course that this would require much more active involvement from your side, but i think the revenue would increase accordingly. You may even try to find some trustworthy friend, or relative who could take care of printing, selling, shipping business for reward. I think if i would have your talent to produce that high quality content, i would certainly try to go this route instead of "gifting" digital files to whole internet.
If you make molds for casting and create busts from polystone (as one of the options) this could become a source of some income. But there are also many nuances and in any case a separate room will be required. One printer (even if it is a high-quality SLA/SLS printer) is not enough, this won't pay off.
In addition, yes, in regards to whose busts/models these will be and what mood their copyright holders will be in, in a certain situation, of course, they can file a DMCA or try to receive compensation in other ways.
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