Latelly DBTech released the mod Copyright Managment which replaces their copyright link (links if you're using more of their mods) with a single line global copyright appearing in all pages.
With a first eye this is a good move as it reduces the needing space to list all of their copyrights (if you're using more than one mod). The problem starts from the point that this copyright is global, which means that is appearing in all pages regardless if that page is powered from their mods or not.
And here comes the question. Do you think that this is a fair play to the other coders? I'll not talk if it is legal or not as I'm not a lawyer. Also the laws are so complicated that nobody can say "yes" or "not". So I'm focusing only to the fair play.
And here is a list of my thoughts. Let's get as example that I'm using their vbQuizz and vbCredits system and finally I'm adding this mod to merge the 2 copyright lines in a single one.
According to which logic pages like Classifieds, Auctions, Reviews, Extrapages must include his copyright? Is there anything from his mods on this page that gives the right to show their copyright there?
They use the phrase "Site powered by vBulletin Mods & Addons from DragonByte Technologies Ltd. (Details)" which is very general. Any unexperiant visitor will thinks that the Classifieds page that he is viewing is their product. "Site powered..." means the full site. Why they didn't used a more fair phrase like "Some sections of this site is powered..."?
You must click on the Details to understand that this page is not their work. By the way. When submitting a mod there is an option to check if you're pulling content from 3nd party sites. This "External" option is unchecked, so users maybe don't know that at that time you exchange data with their site.
When I complain for it I got many replies from different users. Supporting or not my post. Actually who didn't support my post was the Author and his friends. I'll focus on some only points:
"Does not prohibited by vB.org rules": Sure. Because 10 years in this site never seen before such action. There were coders (like Zachery who didn't even added their copyright. I do believe him). All the rest coders were putting their copyright only on their pages. So its normal that such a rule does not exists. Because never had such similar before. And rules are for changing as all rules, as all laws are updating from time to time to cover all new issues.
I read many times "Nobody prohibits you (me) to add your copyright in all pages". Perfect. So a site which is using their mods, my mods, and another 10 other mods will has a footer with 10+ lines of copyrights. Great
You're (me) free to add your own rules in your mods as you're not breaking vb.org rules. Great again. So, as it does not also prohibited by vb.org rules, I can release new versions which will not works if they found in the site this mod installed?
What I know is that a community must has except the normal terms of use and some "fair play" terms. Otherwise, the financial crisis around the world, will lead in unfair actions. Because I can bet (and anybody can understand it), that this mod, released not as a way to help the users, but as a way to be visible in all pages. Yes, I do agree that they have a plethora of mods, and I congratulate them, but 95% of their mod are working only in forum pages. And on now days most sites have much more other pages than just forums.
As a final note. In my opinion this mod brakes the fair play and offcourse I'll do the same (if not worst). What do you think about?
Thank you for your time. By the way give a vote to the poll. Maybe it will be a reason for vb.org to update their terms.
06-06-2013, 05:41 PM
Fair play and Business
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