Several members here offer their time and resources to provide free templates/themes so that there's an option over the default template and a new directory owner is no longer stuck with the basic look if they choose to use one of them. It's disappointing to see some directory owners deleting the sponsor and designer from the template and inserting their own links there. Designers and coders invest their time and sponsors provide funding with little expectation except for the attribution found on the template. Some offer unbranded versions for a minimal fee, yet there's still those that arbitrarily delete the sponsorship from the free versions. What bothers me more than a directory owner removing the links is the number of members within our community who continually choose to support those who violate the intellectual property rights of others by submitting to their directories even after it's been pointed out. So I must ask you - are you really that desperate for a link that you condone this behavior? How about exercising a little restraint and showing a little support for those that support you by providing these resources for free.
I agree that all links should be intact as the template it self is not free in general, they are available for "free" but as long as the sponsor links are intact, when they are remove, then the template is considered a stolen goods.
Very good point and serious issue indeed. One should never remove those links without paying the nominal fee. I am also using one Template for my Best Directory -- but it never crossed my mind about those links on the footer. Infact I felt oblized to keep them.
yes i agree with you creed, i come across sites who remove designer / sponsor links both from my templates and use it ... saying they edited it and such ... but u kno i guess you can't really do anything abt it unless everyone together takes an action against it
Well said, I couldn't agree with you more, ungratefull ******* Sadly your words will probably fall on deaf ears though as half these clowns don't have a conscience.
If someone is caught removing.. WE should make a thread for perpetrators. Once on the list and on it for good reason they should be totally blacklisted from the community. Removing a link from a sponsor is disgusting. These things cost money, if you don't want sponsors.... PAY 200-400$ and get your own. IF NOT deal withit. I don't sponsor many for that reason. It's too bad
Not a bad idea at all, sadly half the laming shits won't care though even if you post here that's how thick skinned they are. That's sad, not that you don't but the fact you are right, why should you only to have them stolen, can't you find a way of encoding the linkback into the template? I know people kick phpLynx about encoding but at least they prevent this crappy activity from happening.
Thanks CReed for your great post. This post will help all designer of directory industry, including me. I am tired to count stupid
You could, but you'll get an infraction notice for Attacking and harassing a member. I have a place here that you can submit those site, but you'll need to register and submit to Banned Sites category
Good for you wwws, I for one would support that all the way, name and shame in as many places as we can.
Just to note: When submitting those Banned Sites, don't put their url, you don't want to give them traffic Instead point it to this thread for refence
Some people will never understand A great idea, I will put them in my "Hall of Shame" sections. Coming online soon and I have already got few entries there. Well, I think we need to step up & do something to stop them or at least make them think twice before they do such acts.
Oh!!! I had the same suggestion for starting a thread like Dubz said....anyways whoz gonna make this thread??? Some one must start and we;ll point out the directories....
There are instances where the sponsor's attribution is removed unknowingly. Other notices such as the copyright date and owner are close in proximity to the sponsorship links, and need to be edited. it's not always intentional. Refusing to support those who do not replace the sponsorship when notified of the error may help to deter this from happening. Inquiring about the sponsorship removal publicly may encourage the replacement of the links, but not in all instances. We shouldn't rush to accuse/judge name/shame as it's possible to pay for an unbranded version, a simple inquiry can clear the air. I know once I see mention of the sponsorship being removed, I choose not to support the directory by submitting paid or even free listings. Simply submitting a listing shows your support for the wrong party. I seriously doubt a directory owner who is willing to openly violate the licensing agreement intends to make any investment in the future viability of their directory. vegabond - I think your templates are violated more than any other I've seen. It's very disappointing to see.
I faced that situation many times and I can tell you that owners of directories which do not keep link are not always ones to blame. There are various situations where this may occur: 1. Owner purchased template as unique(yes some people sell free templates as their own which is far more worse than those who remove links) 2. Owner got a template as part of collection of free templates on CD and template already had links removed. 3. etc-I faced those two. I really don't feel like hunting and going against people who don't keep links.First reason is that some of situations listed above may have been happened. Second, even if they removed it themselfs, I am sure people will know and nobody wants to buy links in directory that doesn't respect basic rules-simply because they do not trust that kind of person and don't want to waste money. On another note, that kind of directory will not pass significant PR or traffic, so it is not worthed bothering. So, I just turn my head to another side in this situations. Contrary, I would be one who looks bad. I react sometimes only when I see that kind of directory for sale in Sales section since I want to let potential buyers know the real situation.
I got my template from a DP user a few months back. I appreciate it so much not only because it was FREE but also because I am a newbie in this field and had no idea what to do and how to do it and this was a great help to me. So I would never remove their links intentionally. Good point but... But even as a bigtime newbie I was able to change the date from 2006 to 2007 without deleting the sponsors. Although it is possible to do that un-intentionally, most often I would say it is intentional.
This is something that always happened and will always happen. We can't do anything about it and this is a fact. People who respect time and work invested in creating of template will keep footer links and those who don't will remove them. I really don't care about this until someone profits on my work he got for free.
may i ask...i am sending money to have the phpld link taken off my Site,so how would one know by visiting that i didnt just try and screw the developer?I was wondering because since i paid,would anyone know?
Yes it is a fact that it continues to happen. There are a number of things we can do: *Do not support them by submitting to their directories. *Reject their listing if/when they submit to your own directory. *If it's your template, file a DMCA notice with their service provider; many will disable access to their sites. Please do care; they profit with every submission they receive whether it is paid or free. @templates: Many of us do choose to pay for the unbranded version of the basic script. I'm sure that there are some that do not, or even use the script on multiple sites when they've paid for a single license. I'm just trying to call attention to the fact that there are those who do remove the sponsorship from the free templates and I'm just asking that others join me and do not support them if it's clear that is what they have done.
yea,i understand and im with you wholeheartly..its not only wrong to remove the links of the coders/designers but it cheapens the site as well to remove the link..i have all the links that give credit to the template builders where they belong.Bad karma i say falls to those that remove