So, I guess they don't want the public to know that they think it's just fine for people to steal other people's work, work that even they get paid for. I posted my concerns and to tell you the truth, I expected the comments from the community that were made. The community there is full of stuck up lil twats that think they are better than everyone. I couldn't wait to get off IPS software and now I can't wait to show them through stats how absolutely terrible their software is. I brought up my concern and posted a site that was stealing everyone's work on IPS and giving it out for free (warez). They were hosted on IPS software too. So either IPS should revoke their license or if they are on an illegal copy, they should send out a DMCA or a C&D to their host to remove the site unless they change their act up. The site is ipbcore.net They have stolen multiple skins and mods and release for free. On top of that, they are ripping all the good skins, including mine and providing it for free when I've spent a couple grand on my design. While my one DMCA complaint can remove the few threads that have my skin up for download, it doesn't take away from the fact that I was trying to point this out for all of their modders and skinners. The fact of the matter is, they all don't care and see nothing wrong with IPS's way of shutting people up like me who want to tell people what is going on. I'm sick of them, their staff, their community, and their software. Can't wait to move on to bigger and better things.
About to send out a DMCA myself as my Faceboard skin is up on there, hopefully they aren't offshore so something can be done.
No offense man but I don't think this is IPS's fault. It's not IPS's place to police content posted just because the site happens to be running IPB. It's slippery slope; What's next IPS pulls a license because they don't agree with a site about religion? Look at vBulletin, there's one board that ranks very well for vBulletin mods and skins. They null vB plus post paid mods & skins for free. It's the nature of the beast, every community has it's shady side. I do understand your frustration. Honest people will pay for your work. Those who steal it would never pay for it anyhow. It's not right that thieves are using it but aside from you protecting your IP there isn't anything IPS or anyone else could or should do about it.
I don't know what is wrong with the community...I know it's my problem if they steal my skin. IPS's greedy lil paws get money on each sale that is made via the paid mods and skins on their site. They shouldn't be sending out DMCAs to get those removed. I was trying to inform the community but instead, they delete my thread. Typical IPS behavior that I've seen in the past. They don't want to look bad...ever, yet they are the ugliest company I've run into. Some shady stuff. The point being, if they are giving paid stuff away that IPS is making money on, it IS THEIR PROBLEM. Period, no questions asked, no if ands or buts. I'm protecting myself by sending out DMCAs. I was trying to tell the community that they need to do the same and I feel IPS should also be doing it. How can they allow an IPB site do this? The short answer is, they don't give a F.
Looks like they aren't offshore hosted, so now just to figure out how to send a DMCA (first timer here!).
Looks like I just got a message from Charles. I guess using "faggot" once to signify the site that is stealing their stuff is inappropriate (all the while, trying to mock me in the email). God I can't wait to get away from these corrupt people.
Um... I was on your side until you posted that. Offending one group of people who have nothing to do with the issue at hand really isn't the best way to go.
Slang. Just because you think it means one thing doesn't mean I think it's one thing. I didn't mean it in a homosexual way, nor would I ever. So if you are offended by that, I'm not sorry. Would I have been better off calling them "fuckers"? People who steal other peoples work....
So because I use one word, you are not "for" what I'm saying? When I became infuriated about things like this, my web censor gets turned off. I don't get a second to edit the post after I posted it before some lil kid trying to make the world righteous quotes my "f-bomb" in his terms. So, rather than editing it then, seeing as I was quoted, I left it. It would been something they should have edited. It was 1 single word out of 5 paragraphs of stuff. As I said, I was about to edit it, but got quoted thus didn't. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's web censor gets turned off when they get mad and then realize it after they post and go to edit it but someone has already quoted it.
There is not a whole lot of different meanings for that word; sorry, but it just isn't the case. As for what you could have called them... well, I could be there all day with that one seeing as I used to sell vB styles and had stuff released to the pirate sites within minutes of me posting them up. There are likely enough names I could come up with to fill a book and some of them would have even been acceptable in polite company, or at least on a public forum. As far as offending me, no, it would take a lot more than just a few words to do that, especially words online. And, before anybody makes anybody assumptions.... No, but some of my friends are in regards to the subject matter.
Well, this all reminds me of the South Park episode (yes, I'm that mature) about "The F word". People don't use it to mean homosexuals or offend them. In that episode they wanted to change the definition of it. Plus they go into the history of that word, and there have been at least 10 different definitions for it over the years. So really, you may think I meant one thing, and I could have meant something totally different. That's the cool thing about assumptions...
Yeah, I saw that one as well. What something used to mean has no bearing on what in means in present society. No assumptions made. You wanted to call them the harshest name you could come up with and that was it. But, back on topic and personal opinions aside, did you ask if they would restore the thread slightly edited? Would give you some input into if it was more than just your name calling that they objected to.
No, I don't like Charles. He never responds to my PM's on sites (after he sends me one) or responds to my emails that I ask questions after he's emailed me. I don't see him restoring it. Plus, the community there just doesn't give a sh*t and would rather tell me it's my problem and not theirs...when in fact, it is their problem when they aren't making the money on the things being released.
It's okay, I'll cast Magical Fairy Dust Blessing on your use of the word, but only this time! If I overuse that they'll take away my membership card. That said, if that was the only issue with your post, I'd think that a simple edit could have taken care of it. Obviously some people have forgotten a fundamental rule of communities: real boats rock. Anybody saying their ship is running perfectly smoothly is covering their ass. Whether this is just censorship to keep the villagers in the dark or whatever can only be speculation, alas. Probably would be nice to have somebody official actually provide a stance on protection of related intellectual properties. If they aren't interested in assisting their customers protect their IP, that's something prospective customers should know before they buy. This doesn't mean they have to necessarily charge forth and destroy the world, but one thing I learned in ten years of supporting some rather uppity mission-critical people is that even if you aren't going to do something with their concern, you smile and nod and mention it's going on a list somewhere. Whether you then file it in /dev/null is a different matter. If something's persistent enough, they can even put forth a position and be sympathetic. "I'd like to help you out but XYZ". In this case I would've popped out "we believe that the protection of our customers' privately developed intellectual property is a very valid concern, but unfortunately we too are suffering the ill effects. The most we can do is refuse to support the pirates and to educate our community on the benefits of properly supported, original creations. What ways can you suggest we go about this, Customer X?" Of course, they could just keep sweeping the dirt under the rug too, but that's just going to get them a lumpy rug and a cloud of ick when somebody finally lifts it up.
If you think the grass is greener at xenforo think again. Confirmation, If you post a style a resource it's okay for someone to replicate it and post it in your own thread. According to mike sullivan. I wondered why he remained quiet, now I know he has his sheep playing games when your trying to be fair in getting a derivative of your work banished by asking for your thread to be deleted so you can repost it. 5 hours today that staff played games so the tip of the day. Expect your works to be copied and if you dare say anything or be civil about it your going to go through 4 -5 hours of grueling back and forth pms to get it sorted. Disgusting.
Yeah, I honestly don't know any of the commercial groups who are going to really "take up the cause"... but that's not what's necessarily needed either. At the very least though, a few minutes invested in "we understand your concern and can't really make them stop it, but we can nurture an environment that punishes those who cheat and instill in our base a sense of fair play" would go a long way. Modders of all types (visual, code, what have you) are integral parts of these customer bases. They strip away barriers to entry and can aid as energizers for a product. Obviously some feet need to be held to fires and the question asked: What is your stance on this? And then ask them how they respond to pirating of their own software. The results should be telling. Edit: And yes, I understand the concern is also for folks with personalized bespoke setups who have them pilfered as well... but the argument of "it's hurting our bottom line, can you help us before it hurts yours" tends to be a bit more compelling.
I just wonder why they allow illegal things occur on their platform if someone brings it to their attention. If I see an IPB site hosting IPB material that they didn't make and are charging for it, and then bring it to IPS attention, you would think they would want to take that site down (and with the information of that customer, they could very well send a C&D to them easily scaring the living bejesus out of them). I've pointed out a few sites doing this and the response I get via the ticket system is essentially "If you are not the creator of this, you cannot submit a DMCA" when it's ever so clearly been stolen and redistributed. I mean, when there are 10 different mods and skins by 10 different people and one person with his illegal site posting all of these things, reselling them...it's kind of obvious, am I right? I would think so. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see it, yet, they turn a blind eye to it.
I'm actually surprised any of you think any of the forum software makers care about any of this...seriously. They don't really care about their own stuff getting ripped, why should they care about yours? They are only concerned about their own best interests, not some Joe Schmo's skins or mods...unless you have some way of impacting their bottom lines (which most people do not regardless of what they may think of themselves).
