Holding The Line

[Stunod]

Leadership isn't about owning the wheel; it's about holding the line so everyone else can race. Every choice made behind the scenes by myself and/or the co-owners, is guided by one priority: protecting this community and keeping the lights on for everyone who calls this home. Having started this platform many years ago, I carry a deep responsibility alongside our co-owners to ensure its long-term survival. When hard decisions have to be made, it’s never about taking power, it’s about protecting our shared space and keeping our foundation strong. But holding the line doesn't mean standing alone. We are always open to hearing from you. If you have constructive thoughts, suggestions, or ideas on how we can improve, we welcome them. Click the Contact Us button at the bottom of the site and send an email over or your welcome to reply to this thread. Your input matters!

Co-Owners @garrett1127 @Highbank

 

[SDR]

Is it true your trying to use Copyright law on OUR Content that we upload here? ARDR had a spike in guests because of you not allowing people to download form this site.

 

[Stunod]

To be completely clear, we are not claiming ownership of any creator content uploaded here.

What we are doing is protecting the platform and its users. The restrictions or copyright actions being taken are strictly aimed at potential third parties who are downloading, rehosting, or exploiting hosted files on external sites with bad intentions.

Our goal is to safeguard the hard work of our creators and keep this platform safe for everyone, not to limit our community or claim ownership of what you create.

 

[SDR]

The people who archived the works of the people, when the site went down. Thats preserving the works of the people not steeling. Plus its Our work not yours, we put time and hard work into each car, track, mod that we create. You go on and do copyright claims for things you don't own, there will be backlash like no other in the NR2003 community.

 

[Stunod]

I honestly don’t think you read my response thoroughly. Maybe read it again and edit if needed.

 

[SDR]

Then who are these "third parties"

 

[Highbank]

Thanks I was going to "cut" that guy...bad egg

 

[Logan7]

To be completely clear, we are not claiming ownership of any creator content uploaded here.

What we are doing is protecting the platform and its users. The restrictions or copyright actions being taken are strictly aimed at potential third parties who are downloading, rehosting, or exploiting hosted files on external sites with bad intentions.

Our goal is to safeguard the hard work of our creators and keep this platform safe for everyone, not to limit our community or claim ownership of what you create.

Thank you for clearing this up, the wording was making it a little confusing but I was hoping this was the intention.

 

[Blood-PawWerewolf]

Also, i (and many others in the nr2003 modding community) do not like the fact that you are putting a subscription to download everything like we were before the new site launched. This is just going to destroy the community in the end.

 

[Stunod]

Also, i (and many others in the nr2003 modding community) do not like the fact that you are putting a subscription to download everything like we were before the new site launched. This is just going to destroy the community in the end.

This is a safeguard to help protect the database for now, this is a temporary fix.

 

[Blood-PawWerewolf]

This is a safeguard to help protect the database for now, this is a temporary fix.

Awesome.

 

[NASCARMATSER429]

This is a safeguard to help protect the database for now, this is a temporary fix.

You are aware that this breaks local laws as well?

 

[Stunod]

You are aware that this breaks local laws as well?

Please explain.

 

[NASCARMATSER429]

Please explain.

1. "Donations" with Perks Are Commercial Transactions

Under U.S. contract and IP law, when money directly unlocks tangible perks (e.g., bypassing daily download limits), it is legally a transaction, not a gift. Calling it a "donation" does not change how courts or rightsholders view it.



2. Federal Law Exposure (U.S. Code)



* Loss of DMCA Safe Harbor (17 U.S.C. § 512): Website hosts lose legal immunity under the DMCA if they receive a direct financial benefit tied to hosting third-party assets without authorization.

* Trademark & Copyright Infringement (15 U.S.C. § 1114 / 17 U.S.C. § 501): Brands tolerate non-commercial fan art. Monetizing access to files containing protected logos (NASCAR, Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Monster Energy, etc.) destroys fan-use defenses and invites cease-and-desist orders.



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3. State Law Exposure (PA & NC)



Co-owners residing in Pennsylvania and North Carolina subject the platform to dual-state enforcement:



* Consumer Protection Laws (PA 73 P.S. § 201-1 & NC G.S. § 75-1.1): Labeling a paid access fee structure as a "donation" is considered a deceptive trade practice. Under North Carolina law, deceptive trade practice violations carry automatic treble damages (triple actual damages).

* Charitable Solicitation Acts (PA 10 P.S. § 162.1 & NC G.S. § 131F): Entities cannot solicit public "donations" in PA or NC without being formally registered as tax-exempt charities.

* Tax Code Misclassification: Digital service perks and subscription revenue are subject to state sales and income tax reporting in both states. Masking sales as gifts creates severe state tax compliance risks.

 

[Stunod]

@NASCARMATSER429 Thanks for taking the time to write this out. We care a lot about this community, and every decision we make regarding server limits and supporter perks is strictly to keep the lights on and the database running safely for all of our members.

We're confident in how we operate the site, but we want to keep the public forums focused on sim racing and community content rather than legal discussions. If you ever have genuine questions or concerns about the site, my inbox is always open.