Scammer removes copyright and sells my software under his name

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by n0other, Jan 24, 2006.

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  1. #1
    Back in October, I've started a project, with an idea to profit from this pixel ad wave. After some thinking, I've released it in the public free of charge, just as a viral marketing experiment. It worked out pretty well I must say. The problem here is, that it was reported to me, that someone is profiting from my hard work, with every copyright removed and claiming he's the owner of the software. I was really pissed at first, but there's not much I could do I guess. The scammer haven't been spotted for very long because he removed every relation to me or my site. Anyways, here's the thread where he was reported http://pxraptor.phpwood.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=188 . Here's the ebay URL http://cgi.ebay.ca/Million-Dollar-H...ryZ46689QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem . It just breaks my heart to see someone selling the code I wrote and claiming that he wrote it. Do you have any suggestions what I could do about it? I'm not a US entity :(
     
    n0other, Jan 24, 2006 IP
  2. stuw

    stuw Peon

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    #2
    Put your software on ebay for less
     
    stuw, Jan 24, 2006 IP
  3. n0other

    n0other Peon

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    #3
    Are you serious?
     
    n0other, Jan 24, 2006 IP
  4. stuw

    stuw Peon

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    #4
    why not. You may make some money out of it, and you may stop him making as much money out of it. I don't think there is much else that you can do unless you can prove that it's your software.

    You could inform ebay of what they are doing. Or post a comment on his ebay reputation to warn other ebay buyers that he's not honest.
     
    stuw, Jan 24, 2006 IP
  5. LGRComp

    LGRComp Well-Known Member

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    #5
    Sorry to hear about this. I noticed on the Ebay auction
    Why not report him to Ebay for selling your script and have the account banned? Just a thought.
     
    LGRComp, Jan 24, 2006 IP
  6. craigedmonds

    craigedmonds Notable Member

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    #6
    if he has a web site you should also report him to google and quote the "digital millenium copyright act".

    They might not do anything but it costs nothing to file a complaint, as long as its valid of course.

    The page below is more about copyright than patents etc but should give you an idea of what to do.

    http://www.seologic.com/faq/copyright.php

    Here is google page about it....
    http://www.google.com/dmca.html

    To be honest though if this guy is smart enough to rip you off and make money then he can probably afford a good lawyer so I would just write off the idea, then get yourself a good lawyer to advise you when you have your next great idea.

    Its all about who has the best lawyer really.
     
    craigedmonds, Apr 3, 2006 IP