Why are vb.org's mods getting ripped/redistributed?

[Brad]

Originally Posted by CodingMonkey

Pirated or "nulled" vBulletin websites always have a backhole. The users that null the forum software are usually just a bunch of script kiddies that go into the source, look for callhome scripts and remove them and distribute them. But, in the process, they remove some legit code that protects their sites.

Fail, right?

Where are you getting your nulled vBulletin from? I assure you there are plenty of copies going around without backholes. Just because it's warez doesn't mean it's automatically not secure. I've personally seen copies without back holes going around..I know because I've downloaded them and compared them line for line with a legit version. All most of them remove is the .js call home in the admincp and the step during installation where you have to input the customer number. I've even seen copies floating around that supply you with a customer number to use during installation..I assume whoever released it just modified a certain constant in a .php file.

My point is vBulletin is easy to nullify and anyone that can read the source code can do it in a couple of minutes. Yes there are warez copies with backholes floating around the internet but they are the minority. Most warez groups pride themselves on releasing good software, not crap.

Getting back on topic; I stopped caring about my modifications begin on warez sites ages ago. If it bothers you I advise you to send a DMCA notice and hire a lawyer because you're going to have to do it yourself.. it is your responsibility to protect your own IP if you choose to do so.

You'll never stop the warez scene so your best bet is learning how to work with it. Keep in mind that someone using a pirated copy doesn't automatically mean you lost a customer (assuming you code for money). Most people that pirate wouldn't have bought your software anyway.

[Ziki]

Originally Posted by glorify

Why are vb.org's mods getting ripped/redistributed?

Simply...because they can.

[aeturner89]

They are already free to download here, so what's the problem? You can download them here free of charge so what's the difference if they are somewhere else free?

[Dean C]

Originally Posted by aeturner89

They are already free to download here, so what's the problem? You can download them here free of charge so what's the difference if they are somewhere else free?

Because only license holders can download mods here. Essentially by having them on other sites, users of pirated vBulletin have access to them.

[AuroraStorm]

I found a site that was redistributing paid works of some coders and warned one coder of what was happening. She, in turn, posted a thread about it warning others that their works were stolen but the thread was censored by a mod because I guess she wasn't supposed to post it. I was on my way to notifying some of the others when I saw her being dressed down about it so it made me back off.

Now, I'm not a coder and I appreciate the hard work of those who put out fabulous work but it seems to me that vb only want to hear about it when their software is ripped. The coders do a lot of work to enhance vb software and it would only seem fair (to me) to at least allow them some way to warn others when the works have been stolen.

[Brad]

Originally Posted by AuroraStorm

I found a site that was redistributing paid works of some coders and warned one coder of what was happening. She, in turn, posted a thread about it warning others that their works were stolen but the thread was censored by a mod because I guess she wasn't supposed to post it. I was on my way to notifying some of the others when I saw her being dressed down about it so it made me back off.

Now, I'm not a coder and I appreciate the hard work of those who put out fabulous work but it seems to me that vb only want to hear about it when their software is ripped. The coders do a lot of work to enhance vb software and it would only seem fair (to me) to at least allow them some way to warn others when the works have been stolen.

You are correct that Jelsoft doesn't "care" that hacks/mods are begin uploaded to warez sites. Well I wouldn't go so far as to say they don't care..when I was an admin here I did all I could to control it and we even went as far as designing a way of tracking who downloaded said files. The reason they don't track them anymore is due to one person (a coder) complaining that the .zip files he was uploading were begin modified on the fly. So if you want to complain about vB.org not begin able to control this problem you have one of your own to blame.

As for the thread in question I didn't see it but I'm willing to bet she posted a link to the site which is a no-no. Even if it was a "pm me for link" type of post I would have deleted it too...

What it comes down to is this; As programmers and designers we are responsible for our own work. So if we want to pick and choose where it is released it's up to us to hire our own lawyers and start fighting these warez sites through the legal system (if that is even possible, a lot of places don't respect copyright laws).

In summary;

1. Jelsoft is only concerned with stopping people who pirate vBulletin.
2. It's up to whomever released the modification to deal with people that distribute their work. Send DMCA notices..hire lawyers...pay court fees...etc.
3. Hunting down the people that upload modifications is useless as there will always been more people to replace them.

Something to think about; Is it worth spending time/money shutting down sites that distribute modifications that were released for free in the first place? Keep in mind that users of such sites have a hard time getting proper support because they can't post here. Also keep in mind that you're not losing anything if your free modification is on a warez site...if anything it's helpful to you because it gets your name out there. The warez scene respects quality code and programmers just like we do here...is a little promotion on a shady site really such a bad thing?

Last but not least; People that use warez software rarely pay for commercial software anyway. So even if one of your commercial modifications is on a warez site you probably didn't lose any money. Heck you might even make some money. A lot of people use warez software to try out things before they buy them.

The point I'm trying to drive home; You gotta learn to live with warez and the people that use it because it/they aren't going away any time soon. The scene is as strong as ever and as long as usenet is still active I don't see it slowing down anytime soon.

[AuroraStorm]

But I wasn't complaining about vb not wanting to control the problem. Even with my uncoder spidey senses, I know that's not a possibility because of the infinite status of the information superhighway. My thing was that a coder should have been able to warn others that their work was being pirated like that, and yes I do believe she posted the link although as yourself, I didn't see the actual thread because it all happened too quick. Some of the works that were distributed were items that were NOT free, such as skins and other programs I saw offered on other sites for pay. I know people like getting stuff for free and well, I'm not generally the one to kick sand on free things, I was just thinking that the coders should be able to sound an alarm. That's all.

[Roms]

I'm sure Jelsoft is concerned about sites that create warez sites to distribute vBulletin software and its modifications. If they had billions of dollars they would go after them, but as it is they use the money they do have to put out a good product.

Policing the internet is not Jelsoft's directive... If Jelsoft had the resources I'm sure they would make a good effort. Hell, my styles are currently on warez sites and I'm not happy either, in fact it pisses me off! but what can I do?!?

In short, the internet needs a new set of laws if it is to be governed (these laws should have been set in the first place by countries).

Just my opinion....

[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by Roms

I'm sure Jelsoft is concerned about sites that create warez sites to distribute vBulletin software and its modifications. If they had billions of dollars they would go after them, but as it is they use the money they do have to put out a good product.

This... Fighting Piracy is already one of the single largest costs of the company. Devoting more resources would only increase prices.

However if a site is reported on the forums for Piracy, the link is entered into the anti-piracy database with the thousands of other URLs under investigation currently and removed from the forum posting. This is so the offending site doesn't get advertising and the reporting individual maintains some sort of anonymity so there are no reprisals against them.

Please keep the thread on topic, thanks!