I came across an auction a few months back that was copied from my previous listings. It was copied exactly, photo link, HTML code, everything. I know it was my code since I sometimes embed a hidden tag with my name and a copyright notice in it.
I sent an email warning the user, but did not get a reply. I let it go.
Recently, I saw that the user did it again, this time changing the copyright hidden tag to read: This CD list is copyright by the rod smoker..." I had it ended under the eBay VERo program.
After that, I noticed that my email address, that I use only on eBay, had been subscribed to hundreds of mailing lists. I also noticed that some of them returned the IP address of the person who subscribed me and it happen to match up with the service provider of the user in question.
Today, I notice that the person has relisted again, this time changing the image tag to read: http://www.nutsac/tum.com Tum just happens to be my name which I'm sure he got from the VERo notice eBay sent.
I am a professional graphic designer and computer consultant, so I tend to feel very strongly about people stealing my work. Not to mention that the description took me 3 hours to type out, since it was so long and required lots of formatting to do well.
My question is, what further action should I take against this user? My family has suggested that I file a police report, but is that just asking for the user to come and kill me? Maybe I'm just paranoid.
I guess I could report him to his ISP, but that is not going to do much good in the long run, since I'm sure he will be back.
Please let me know what action I should take, if any?
Thank you.
P.S. I also posted this on the eBay SafeHarbor community discussion board earlier today.
posted on August 30, 2000 06:58:47 PM new
Write to SafeHarbor, explain the situation - it seems to me within the realm of possibility that SafeHarbor will NARU the person for continuing to violate copyright, particularly when they had had one ended and been warned for it previously.
The police won't (can't) do anything about copyright infringement. I think you'd either have to go through the VERO/SafeHarbor program again, or hire an attorney.
posted on August 30, 2000 07:12:31 PM new
Another suggestiojn is this: the next time that the thief links to an image in your web space, substitute some sexually onerous and too explict disgusting image . . . the kind that gets reported to [email protected].
posted on August 30, 2000 07:27:56 PM new
Lotsafuzz. That's a sore subject for me.
Ed Dames was never a remote viewer. The government's top secret Stargate Remote Viewing project's entire period of existence was October 1978 through November 1995. Dames left the unit in late 1988.
He and I have very different views, and perhaps you and I should discuss this is the Round Table?
At the moment I would perhaps suggest Joe McMoneagle as a better choice for anyone's remote viewing needs.
posted on August 30, 2000 08:40:01 PM new
Copyright infringement is punishable by at least a $10,000 per violation fine if I remember correctly. It also means that all court costs are born by the sorry loser who swipes your stuff. Given that it could mean a nice 5 year jaunt through Federal court, I'd have some friendly lawyer pen a letter to that crook that he is playing with fire.
You might recall recently that Oprah got put through the ringer by two photographers for essentially copyright infringement. I happen to know one of them. Oprah settled out of court after trying some pretty lame excuses.
It's a good thing she did.
