Well, I am telling you what we tell people.

I'm sure the legal guy will be more than willing to deal with you, if you want to tread that tight line.

im going to PM you cause not treading, but i would actually love to speak to an actual attorney about this, cause I'm just starting out and would love to know legally what i can and can not do.

just cause a vb / J$ rep says we cant do it our way... does not mean its technically illegal to do it another way.

Are you really going to defend your claim in court. An attorney's take on the situation is only informational, they do not uphold the law -- just help you research/present/defend your view. Paying the branding free option is much cheaper then trying to be right.

The rest of us just leave the copyright in and get on with our lives. As a business man, fretting over this does not make any sense to me. Just trying to help.

We all know where you are coming from. :)

its not that, and if i wasn't going to be selling my skins here shortly i really wouldn't be making to big of a deal about it. To clarify this a little, I'll share the PM I sent to Zach with you guys. It's not that i want to argue this, but i mean... technically speaking i'm branding it... anyway here's what i PM'd him (since he actually works for J$ / vB)
maybe that will give you guys a better idea too =)

i have a feeling vB's TOS are about to change a little lol

I see where you are going with this now, makes a lot more sense. :)

nothing more nothing less... Pretty sure im good to do it the way i showed and the ways i plan =)

Reading the branding and my experience...

Do not remove this copyright notice --> Phrase: Powered by vBulletin must be visible at all times not on a hover

Things you can do
remove version number
remove link to vBulletin site
copyright can be place on one line

im going off of the TOS, what they put in the source has no effect if it's not stated in the TOS (legally speaking) and nothing says it MUST be visible at all times... j/s

this may be more of a debate for vb.com.... but i've got my conclusion, not off this thread, but from vb's official license holder TOS, and thats what i will base my designs off of =)

technically speaking, from their TOS i COULD only show the (c) on the index if thats all i wanted it to show on, i wont be doing it this way... but just again legally speaking per their own TOS =)

Thats unnecessary provocation and poor behaviour. This guy is simply trying to establish what he can and cant do. No need for ill manners. It really doesn't represent you very well at all. Just so you are aware. I'm taking screen shots of your actions from this point on. Just in case this does go down the legal route as you seem so keen to provoke.

I'm going to pm you now and recommend no further public contact with the vBstaff on this matter.

I would suggest that you seek only email contact and make use of the stipulations afforded in the email guidelines.

Okay, you do that then. Walking a fine line is his choice to do so, but it might end him up in some light trouble. It was a warning that it could cause him problems. Which is very true.



If you want full clarification of what you want to do is okay, please contact sales@vbulletin.com and we'll make sure to get you an answer.

However, generally the copyright must be fully intact, and plainly visible.


And because I'm a fun guy who likes to have fun, screen shots are totally proof