Stop removing copyrights!

[NoRad]

Here's the deal people...

As a record label I release albums. The copyright has to be present for legal reasons. Guess where we put it? In real small print on the back cover in the least noticeable spot so as to not take away from the packaging art. It's there. It's on a thing ring around the disc itself as well.

Sometimes I see coyright notices that take up 2-3 lines, are in a high contrast font at the bottom of every page. I comply with it because that's what everybody wants, but it's kind of overkill and I can see why these people that lack respect want to remove this from their website.

I always favor a credits page linked from a condensed copyright. The credits page has all the details about the copyright and all that jazz. The condensed copyright might look like Powered by SMF 1.0.3 and then you link to the actual  ©2001-2005 Simple Machines etc...

[[Unknown]]

The copyright is two short lines on a usually large webpage.  I don't think that's much to ask, and it's more than likely (percentage wise) smaller than the copyrights you put on any album.

Some of the people who removed the copyright did the "link to another page" thing, where the other page had semi-correct copyrights on it.  This does not fly.  Not only is it, of course, against the license - but it's removing the copyright from the sight of most everyone.

If you're too good for the copyright statement, arrange to pay us a sum of money to remove it.

-[Unknown]

[NoRad]

You're preaching to the choir. I'm playing devils advocate.

[ryanbsoftware]

encrypted script to check copyrights would work, or you can have it do so multipule times and hide the function in other non-related source code, but eventually someone would find the, but i agree about people being more concerned over thier sites look!  What is even worse is if soemone was to replace the SMF copyright with another one, and give it a custom theme, and no one would guess its SMF.  I bet their are some of those around, i also say you add a call home function, ato also verify it, lol, just dn't go charging $80 for a license....LOL I know SMF won't, afterall they don't want to loose [Unknown] as a developer!.

[chadness]

I think trying to put in some code to prevent removal of it would stop most of it - many people don't have the knowledge or inclination to dig that deep.  Anyone else obviously knows they are doing something wrong.

Personally, I think quite a few people are doing this out of ignorance.  Having a more visible warning would improve the problem, I bet.

[ryanbsoftware]

a system to report violations would be good also, and if you get after the oard owners i think they would add it back, especially if you threaten to take legal action.

[Thantos]

I think trying to put in some code to prevent removal of it would stop most of it - many people don't have the knowledge or inclination to dig that deep.  Anyone else obviously knows they are doing something wrong.

Personally, I think quite a few people are doing this out of ignorance.  Having a more visible warning would improve the problem, I bet.

A certain level of code is already present.  However most reasonible measures will fail by putting it a div that won't be rendered

[Elijah Bliss]

I've been here for over a year and it's sad to see that this is still an issue. It's time for [Unknown] and co. to stop being "reasonable", now it's time to start layin' the smack down on these violators.

[JayBachatero]

I've been here for over a year and it's sad to see that this is still an issue. It's time for [Unknown] and co. to stop being "reasonable", now it's time to start layin' the smack down on these violators.

i think its true.  if they dont want the copyright to pay for it and i still dont think thats reasonable.  like some people said its only 2-3 lines of text and its very small y delete it.  just cause its open-source doesnt mean you are allowed to remove sumthing like the copyright.  its a legal notice.  i dont know if im going over my head but imthinking that do get smf you should register and create some time of tracker that will track all the smf board to see if they got the copyright notice.  like the link tracker does it checks if you are linking bak to them.  this needs action.  people should stop being ignorant.  i beelieve if you are able to edit a file to remove the copyright notice you are aware of what you are doing.  i think action has to be taken.

[NoRad]

What about contacting the ISP or host provider of copyright offenders?

[[Unknown]]

Things can be done, our lawyer is more than happy to charge us to get involved, but I would personally prefer it didn't happen.

I'm mainly just wondering why people think it's okay.  Just because they think SMF is a little module for Mambo?  This means they can remove the copyright and violate the license?

-[Unknown]

[kodewulf]

Things can be done, our lawyer is more than happy to charge us to get involved, but I would personally prefer it didn't happen.

I'm mainly just wondering why people think it's okay.  Just because they think SMF is a little module for Mambo?  This means they can remove the copyright and violate the license?

-[Unknown]

Yeah, aren't lawyers just so helpfull?

Anyway, seeing as that it seems to be popping up a lot with the Mambo bridge. Wouldn't it be worthwhile to try and get the guys from Mambo involved in this? Maybe they can flex a bit of muscle or bash a few heads on your behalf.

Just a thought...

[ryanbsoftware]

treatening to take lagal action if they don't put the copyright back, or pay you, would probably get 99% of people to add it back, you need to impliemnt a system of reporting offenders.

[NoRad]

I really think that it's an issue of displaying two copyright messages stacked that makes them want to remove it with the bridge.

[xenovanis]

I'm mainly just wondering why people think it's okay.  Just because they think SMF is a little module for Mambo?  This means they can remove the copyright and violate the license?

-[Unknown]

Yes, I guess. Like for example Zoomgallery, a stand-alone gallery which can be integrated with Mambo, it doesn't have a copyright, or at least I have never seen an integration with a copyright. People don't read anymore, they see just another component and they haven't got a clue of what they are actually installing. Yesterday I saw at least two people posting here who didn't even know SMF was a stand-alone project. Sadly, you see this kind of behaviour anywhere. It's just a signal of how society is developing. No one cares anymore unless you take really hard measures. I am sorry, but I think you can't win this battle without your laywer.
You can block it but there will be always people who outsmart this, like Orstio said, simply by giving the copyright the same color as the background. That's the way the world works nowadays.   

I really think that it's an issue of displaying two copyright messages stacked that makes them want to remove it with the bridge.

Their bad. The developers and no one else should define where the copyright is. This is a free product, what else do you want?

[NoRad]

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want... Stop thinking that I'm the guy wanting to remove or change copyrights. 
I'm not. Mine are there. I comply. I donate. I contribute. Wahhh Stop. 

[xenovanis]

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want... Stop thinking that I'm the guy wanting to remove or change copyrights. 
I'm not. Mine are there. I comply. I donate. I contribute. Wahhh Stop. 

Well, like you I was more talking in general. I think you're sweet 

[NoRad]

If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends,
Make it last forever friendship never ends

[xenovanis]

^^

I meant you're sweet because you're contributing and donating... 

* xenovanis is going to suscribe for a course 'English for Dummies' and 'How to make myself clear in the English language'....

Okay, back on topic, this thread is far to serious to wander off. My apologies.

[chadness]

[Unknown], I think you are right in thinking it's because people are treating it like a component for Mambo.  Because Mambo doesn't require people to keep a copyright notice, they think everyone is like that.

And Rad, I'm not sure I can respect your music anymore after that