Internet Legal Questions Kind Of

So I am planning a brand new Minecraft server, servers being something I have done extensively in the past and had great success in-- and there are a few things I am wondering.

Long story short, the server I have planned is going to make heavy use of a new plugin called "Sketch Map" which basically will allow players to import any image they want from the internet provided it is a valid file type (jpg,png, etc). The plugin takes the image from the internet and converts it into pixels on an in-game map or map cluster which can then be pasted onto a wall with a command.

Example:




I don't have to allow players to have in-game permission to access this plugin's commands, but I do want to, and I feel a lot of people would really love it.

Obviously there is an issue with this, however, which is why I am posting this. In fact, the very first thing I thought about when the issue came up was this forum.

There are, of course, going to be several rules regarding the posting of images on the server. They won't be as strict as they are in most places because there is no connection with Google Adsense, but we also don't want people putting up pictures of hardcore porn and bestiality and the like all over the place, which a lot of "trolls" will do as surely as the sun will rise.

My plan is to allow new players access only to commands to post images from an existing pool of images uploaded by myself, server admins and players who have reached a certain level of prestige or perhaps donations. This will allow functionality to new players while also stopping spam bots with access to thousands of stolen accounts or passing trolls from logging in constantly and abusing the system.

Even so, I worry that in the wrong hands this could potentially create a lot of drama and legal issues. For instance, say a high ranking player decides he wants to break the rules and upload a pornographic(or worse) image to the server and names it something like "awesome.jpg" and tells everyone to paste it to the walls of whatever area they're in. As most people know, a lot of young kids play Minecraft. They show the image to their parents and said parents become enraged and gain all kinds of bonuses to their HP and attack and threaten all kinds of lawsuits against me for allowing the image to exist on the server. What then?

Worse still, there is the potential that some nasty 4channer decides to upload illegal images and does the same thing as above, whereas then the storage device the whole server is located on is now contaminated.

Luckily it would never be on any of my computers. I always use a remote server host that would be storing all the server's files, and it would be largely their problem if that were to happen.

What I'm saying though is: How do I cover my *** in the event there is a problem with an image other than making a ToS somewhere and expecting players to abide by it? Do such rules even apply to an online game that is not a website?

You're going to have to setup a whitelist for people to use images and manually approve every single person you deem trustworthy.

This really isn't negotiable sadly.

You probably want to manually approve images in a private place by making sure they are ok/allowed by you. This way only you see them for the first time.

It's going to be a total ***show if you allow everybody right out of the gate.

Legal wise nothing will likely happen as long as you're paying attention.

I will probably have a forum set up where players can request images to be added to the pool of images that get uploaded.

Luckily there are permission locks in place I can adjust on the server that will prevent just anybody from doing as they please with particular server commands. I can unlock them for people I feel are trustworthy. For instance, I can add the permission to a "group" that meets certain requirements.

Main issue I see is regarding the use of a proprietary program to upload these pictures to begin with.

At best, you are looking at legal action from Mojang/Microsoft. At worse, you are looking at legal action from Mojang/Microsoft/Copywriter of said images.

I'm pretty sure (100%) that you will need both Mojang's and Microsoft's permission to even attempt this. Both have money, and both have the drive to stamp out problems you outlined before it hurts their brand image.

Short answer: Don't do it.

maybe give a player one slot for picture upload?
and verify each pic (like mods do here) before becoming live?

or:
submitions for pics on Tuesday
pic batch update: friday

The only POSSIBLE way you will find legal problems is if you are charging people for entry to this server or use of the plugin. At that point you are potentially making money off of images from the internet yes.

But If you've seen the ***I've seen in games like Archeage....

There is little to no probability of mojang or microsoft coming after you for using images on the internet through a plugin on your server. That's just silly. If that were the case people who made pixel art would be in potential trouble too.

The only real concern is making sure people don't post child pornography and other ridiculously illegal crap.

Each server is completely independent from Mojang/Microsoft. There are millions of individual and privately run servers for the game. A person running a Minecraft server is on top of said server's chain of command and is independent from Mojang.

A few years ago Mojang attempted to lay out some EULA for servers and at first everyone raged about it but later realized it meant nothing and changed nothing as there was no way they could possibly enforce it. I'm not at all worried about what Mojang might do considering there is nothing on my server that will ever be seen or cared about by them. The same can be said about intellectual property. Disney is not send me a cease and desist if a player on my server posts a picture of Snow White no more than they would if I posted it here.

My concern is with the legality of certain content that could potentially be uploaded by users.

For instance, let's say I ran a website like Photobucket or Instagram, and someone decided to upload a craptop of CP and used my website to distribute it all over the place. How does a website like that handle that situation?

If you're using a host, they could terminate your account and report it to authorities for illegal content such as CP.

If you run your own server on your own PC, just moderate and delete things that may happen.

I honestly don't see a problem as long as you're a responsible admin. I've been there done that with similar things. You're probably over-worrying.

That sounds about right. I can't wait to see what horribleclever things people do with the plugin. They won't be able to post pictures onto any surface they don't "own" or have claimed with another plugin or that is simply unclaimed by anyone.

I have other things planned-- like a Sword Art Online-style "floor" system where each floor has its own dungeon or puzzle or other challenge to complete to advance and collect custom loot and spells. I can populate the dungeons with custom monsters, though they must be monsters that exist in the game, I can give them custom names, health, attack power, etc. I can also create NPCs that resemble players that can function as enemies or townspeople alike. It's going to be a lot of fun to put together.

/shrug

It's your call regardless.

Unfortunately the laws are vaguely written and (quite frankly stupid in regards to how technology works). Your best bet is to filter the images manually before they reside on your server. If you don't do that then you should consult with a lawyer.

I'd give anything to be a fly on the wall in a lawyers office for that conversation.

"Uh yes, I'm running a Minecraft server for me and some friends and I need legal advice".