Topic: Stop removing copyrights!

[[Unknown]]

I've looked at a few forums that removed copyrights lately, and of them and ones from the past, more have been using the Mambo integration than not - and this is while, in my experience, most people who use SMF don't use the integration (as much as a lot do, the proportion is different.)

Thus, it is my conclusion that for some reason people who use Mambo think that the terms and agreements that apply to Mambo and/or its copyright statement apply to SMF.  This is not the case!

Anyone know why people think it's okay?  Clearly, it is no different than thievery - we ask you to pay a simple price for using the software for free.

-[Unknown]

[Radianation]

I am going to take a stab at this and say that they are more concerned about the "look" of their website than respecting the copyright. Perhaps an understanding can be reached with these abusers to compress the copyrights to one line EACH. Would something like this be acceptable?

ie.

LOUiPiMPS.com | Powered by SMF 1.0.3. | © 2001-2005, Lewis Media. All Rights Reserved.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All content © 2005 LOUiPiMPS Inc. All Rights Reserved. © 2000-2005 Miro International Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. Mambo is Free Software released under the GNU/GPL License.

Just an idea. I bet they are seeing the stacked copyrights at the bottom as "duplicates" which is not correct, but they also just look redundant to the ignorant eye.

[andrea]

In addition I have observed that also lots of installs are around with theme copyrights removed. Also this is not ok and should be taken care of.

[Owdy]

In addition I have observed that also lots of installs are around with theme copyrights removed. Also this is not ok and should be taken care of.

This is why i dont make themes for publick. People wont respect copyrights, and its annoying. 

[Radianation]

I've seen where some developers include their copyright in the themes they release... It's bigger than the name of the website! lol 
Face it guys, we live in a world full of thieves. I run a record label. Sympathize with me.

[Thunderace]

I think it's time for Simplemachines to get harder .. this is simply not acceptable.

I think an encoded script to check an instance of the copyright before the software can be used is not going too far.

I use whoiscart and it not only checks this but checks that i'm licensed to use the software on that particular server.

perhaps the copyright itself could be encoded so that SMF will not work without it.

[Radianation]

There is no way to prevent people from copying or stealing, especially when you're giving them the source code. I'd rather see SMF spend more time on developing a great product as opposed to worrying about people using it illegally. If you see somebody using it incorrectly just mention it to them. If there are too many checks and balances built in to SMF it might make modifications, upgrades, or custom themes harder to implement. Just my 2 cents.

[Owdy]

I've seen where some developers include their copyright in the themes they release... It's bigger than the name of the website! lol 

I havent, can you give me an example?

[xenovanis]

Thus, it is my conclusion that for some reason people who use Mambo think that the terms and agreements that apply to Mambo and/or its copyright statement apply to SMF.  This is not the case!

I noticed that mambo-users who find the bridge think of SMF as just another component. I guess that's the reason. The biggest problem is people not reading though.

[rakuli]

Just on this topic. In my site which I am rebulilding from scratch to be powered by SMF, I am definately not going to be removing the copyright from the forum but wish to know if you require the copyright on pages driven by SSI.php?

I am more than happy to put it there if necessary.

[[Unknown]]

No, just the forum.  We're not trying to be unfair, but I don't really think it's that high a price to pay.

-[Unknown]

[Eren Yaşarkurt]

Hmm, I am not very keen on PHP but can there be any kind of harder protection against copyright removal, Perhaps database-driven? You can't stop thivery by telling people not to steal, the only way is to prevent them...

[Radianation]

Even if it was a database check, they could comment out the code where it's displayed.

[Eren Yaşarkurt]

Maybe something md5 encrypted might be able to prevent it, sorry if I'm mistaken...

[redone]

First of all ignorance is no defence! And to me removing the copyright is just plain insulting to the people like unknown who have spent so much time and continue to do so creating and improving SMF.

Shoot 'em I say!  I hope you find a solution which protects your interests.

Let me just add you can always find a BS excuse from someone who copies your stuff! They are poor? They didn't know! There grandmothers gold fish just died! Please stealing is stealing which ever way you look at it.

[Thunderace]

There is no way to prevent people from copying or stealing, especially when you're giving them the source code. I'd rather see SMF spend more time on developing a great product as opposed to worrying about people using it illegally. If you see somebody using it incorrectly just mention it to them. If there are too many checks and balances built in to SMF it might make modifications, upgrades, or custom themes harder to implement. Just my 2 cents.

Oh yes it is not only possible but easy.

binary code in template.php that is unreadable to the masses that locks the script if the paramaters aren't met and also ceases to function if the code is not present.

It shouldn't be a problem to users (they won't notice unless breaking the rules.)

(if any devs want an email for a guy who's good at this then send me a line)

[Radianation]

Correct. It's stealing. They know what they are doing. Even the guys that come on here and say they are sorry are full of ******. If they know enough to edit the files then they know how to comment out the copyright. Regardless, there's not much that can be done to prevent it.

If you want, maybe have the first page of the installation say something very clear about not removing it.

[xenovanis]

redone,

It's not my intention to suggest that ignorance is an excuse. I totally agree with you here. But, I also know that screaming that it's illegal and people shouldn't do it is not a solution. You want to solve this problem here or, even better, you want to prevent it from happening.
What I was saying in my post is that a lot of new users, escpecially the one that found smf using the bridge, should be better informed about the licences applied to SMF.
The suggestion of forsakenlad is IMO a very good one, I don't know if it is possible to achieve but I hope so.

[Thunderace]

No need for all to get excited..

It's simple .. using this software without due copyright is theft and unacceptable.

Any method to eradicate it is welcome.

Let's leave it there.

[Orstio]

I agree that both the Simple Machines copyright and theme copyright need to remain intact (I also beieve the Mambo copyright should also remain visible, but I may be a minority there).  If one is going to use a software to render their site, shouldn't they do so with some amount of pride in their choice of software?

Is there anything, besides a warning in the installation and/or readme's that anyone would like to see done within the bridge itself that may help prevent this?   There are some things that can be done, from displaying it regardless of whether or not it has been removed from the theme, to displaying the huge red block-letter warning if the copyright is not found.  I guess the major problem with that would be those who "white out" the copyright by making the text the same colour as the background.