My site is being shut down because I had the flash game "ultimate flash sonic" on it and other similar flash games. I had no idea flash games were illegal. I was told I was in violation of copyright and I had 24 hours to remove my WHOLE site. Has anyone else had similar problems as this?
Well, were you using an arcade pack or something of that sort. Some games cannot be collected and sold as a game pack and that might be a problem in your case. There are many flash games which are a trial version and then need to be purchased. Your site may have had the fullversion of that game. ARonald
My web host was contacted by someone (they will not release who) that said I was in violation of copyright. I was given 24 hours to remove my site or I will face legal issues. I have just 40 minutes left to do this.
If you are using someone else's content without permission, yes.. its illegal. Flash games themselves aren't illegal, its the fact you didn't make them yourself. If you have permission to use them, then whoever reported you is out to lunch, though.
Thousands of sites online have that game, though. Shouldn't all those other sites be in trouble too? Shouldn't arcade site makers and game pack makers be in trouble as well? I don't get it.
Yeah I'd go with removing just that game until you find out who it is, if it was some competitor just claiming it and not sega or whoever holds the sonic rights. I think that game comes default with the phpas script too
haha, look at ebaumsworld.com! Flash games are not copyrighted. There made by hobbiests for fun, and they submit them to places like newgrounds.com. 99.9% or them won't have copyrights.
I would tell your host to screw off and move to a different host. Its probably some idiot who want to pass you on search engines rankings.
You need to just contact the owner of the game and become a licencee for some of these small games the fee's are not that high a month but if you just run some one else is product without talking to them the next step they take will cost you. Contact them.
I don't think it was the fact that your site was full of flash games that got you in trouble. It was the fact that all your flash games were related to Sonic the Hedgehog. Your site had the word Sonic and graphics of Sonic all over. Sonic is a trademark of Sega and copyrighted too. Have you considered that that's why your site is being targeted.
Just a question when you "Steal" someone's else flash/art and put on your site and profit of it to you even give them credit on the page? I've noticed this trend. I even had some my work stolen and put some site plastered with ads and no mention of any credits. http://www.nearlygood.com/video/spritemafia2.html This is my work, and they did not ask me for permision to put this on their site.
Well I guess reading what Dollar wrote is a valuable lesson. Never put anything you make online until you hold the copyright.
There is no reason why a copyright holder wouldn't want you to know who they are. That sounds extremely fishy. I would reply that as soon as you see proof of copyright and are informed of the copyright owners identity you will remove it from your site, until then I would call their bluff.
I took down the site and contacted SEGA/SonicTeam. I do have a good feeling it was a competitor and I think I know exactly who it was as they contacted me about a month ago...did not think much of it then. The web host still won't reveal their identity...very odd. I gave SEGA a good list of sites that have the sonic flash games...even the sites with "sonic" in the domain....I want to see if sonic flash games are allowed on any type of website. We'll see what they say.....if not, what about sites like newgrounds....wow! Dollar, there are game packs...hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of sites have these games. BTW, I've had a few creators of sonic flash games contact me and ask me to put their games on my site.
I really suggest you to put your site up again, on a different host... I don't see any reason AT ALL why you should remove your entire site. The game, ok I guess it could be possible, but not the entire site! I'd also wait till they contact you personally...although I must admit I'd be kinda scared in your situation
Get permission from the people who made the flash games, then contact this website: http://www.apostille.com They will be able to help you register your PERMISSION OF USE document which will be valid in almost any country in the world. Send a copy of this to your host and the host will tell anybody complaining about your website to go to hell.