Copyright Lines - What do you think?
 

What do you think about products that put in copyright lines with links? This could be bad for SEO. Do you think this should be mentioned in product description? There seem to be numerous products on vb.org which add links to footer template.

It is their right to add a linkback for them. They put in the time and effort to put the mod out, so it is up to them...

That said, of course, most would agree if you are releasing a tiny template tweak or something very simple a backlink shouldn't be needed and if you are releasing a big complex super helpful mod that it is....but inevitably it is up to the author if he/she wants one or not.

Thanks for your feedback! Do you think these copyright links should be mentioned in product description?

it usually does say to keep the link in place, and if it doesn't so what IMO. If i install something and it shows that, i check to see if i can disable it in the ACP and if not i decide to either live with it or uninstall the product...

Is it ethical to not say that in the release you have a link in there? idk, maybe not 100% but i don't think it's anything to be upset about.

most of the time it's something you deal with, vB ad managment for example. I LOVED that mod, it was really great, and =Redtyger= or whoever had a link back in there, i left it, the link was worth it.


ETA: im sure this thread was a offshoot of THIS thread, idk if the staff will see this as honest discussion or you not following or listening to them....I think you are on a crusade that really isnt worth the effort...

What do you think that these products do not only do what they pretend to do, but do something more. Don't you agree that in product description there should be described what a product will do?

most all of them do have descriptions.....lol....if not usually the first poster will ask "what does this do?"

if there is, like you alluded to in the other thread, malware or some other sinister thing behind the scenes of the mod, if you report it, and the staff sees it, the appropriate action would be taken.

As a coder I know all these "what does this product really do" and "please screenshots, please" calls :D In this thread I want to ask vb.org forum members if they feel that backlinks should be highlightened in product description.

I don't think it needs to be highlighted. You can always uninstall. It's not like the links go un-noticed :)

The link won't really hurt your site's SEO at all, unless it starts getting pointed to a spam site, or something of the nature if the original coder lets the domain expire

people get frustrated at license and copyright notices too much... if you are not happy, pay for the unbranded version and stop whinning... these things are free after all.

right on.

If someone has spent the time and effort to code a product (for free) it's their choice whether they want to insert a copyright notice. You now have a choice, Use the product (copyright intact) or don't or as nexy stated pay for the unbranded version or ask the author if you make a small donation can you remove the copyright notice.

Personally, I would like to see 48pt sized copyright notices but thats just my preference.

Edit: I noticed this thread is in relation to this thread. If you take a look at the thread/product you complained about you'll see that the author stated "I depend on you. Also donations will help me to improve the product." So, make a small donation to him/her and he/she most likely allow the removal of the copyright.

Thanks for all your comments. For me it's also okay to have backlinks, most known example for implementing backlinks is Jelsoft itself for vbulletin's unbranded version. Do you think backlinks should be mentioned in product description?

There is really no need. It is not like they are hidden, if they are hidden people wouldn't see them. :p It is easy enough to uninstall a modification anyway.

No.