Comments on: Ripped My Theme? You will Get Reported! http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/ Bloggers and Designers tips, Wordpress themes, Free downloads Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:04:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Stefson http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-25831 Stefson Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:20:49 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-25831 [...email with complaint about copyright infringement will be sent directly to your host with demand to take the account down.] You think this will do any good? What does a host care when someone rips a wordpress theme? Why would they bump one of their paying customers? They have nothing to do with the copyright infringement. You've got every right to be upset, but be realistic about it, when you release stuff on the internet, it's out there. People can pretty much do what they want with it. Unless you're a company or person with money to spend on big-time lawyers for something as trivial (because that's what it is, sorry) as wordpress themes, nothing much you can do about it. But I do agree with you, it's lame when you see someone using your themes for fame or profit. [...email with complaint about copyright infringement will be sent directly to your host with demand to take the account down.]

You think this will do any good? What does a host care when someone rips a wordpress theme? Why would they bump one of their paying customers? They have nothing to do with the copyright infringement.

You’ve got every right to be upset, but be realistic about it, when you release stuff on the internet, it’s out there. People can pretty much do what they want with it.
Unless you’re a company or person with money to spend on big-time lawyers for something as trivial (because that’s what it is, sorry) as wordpress themes, nothing much you can do about it.

But I do agree with you, it’s lame when you see someone using your themes for fame or profit.

]]> By: Geekstar http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-25482 Geekstar Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:10:31 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-25482 I can sympathize with your situation. I have had numerous designs ripped off myself. However, one thing I've learned over the years is that watermarking your images with a secret word strategically placed can often help you prove that the design is yours. On the flip side, nothing is safe from being stolen, especially on the Web. Unfortunately, you have the burden of proof and no smart ISP will remove a site if you just "demand" that they take it down because someone stole your design. In most countries, including the United States, it would be illegal for them to do so. My suggestion would be to lighten up a bit or not put anything out there that you don't want ripped off because it will most definitely happen again if you're a good designer. I can sympathize with your situation. I have had numerous designs ripped off myself. However, one thing I’ve learned over the years is that watermarking your images with a secret word strategically placed can often help you prove that the design is yours.

On the flip side, nothing is safe from being stolen, especially on the Web. Unfortunately, you have the burden of proof and no smart ISP will remove a site if you just “demand” that they take it down because someone stole your design. In most countries, including the United States, it would be illegal for them to do so.

My suggestion would be to lighten up a bit or not put anything out there that you don’t want ripped off because it will most definitely happen again if you’re a good designer.

]]> By: Prashant http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-25127 Prashant Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:08:43 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-25127 Hi everyone, It's not intrusion but an humble request to the community here. I have recently started an articles website and would request you (I will appreciate if you can) to please spare some time and post articles at my site. Thanks Prashant http://www.depositarticles.com Hi everyone,

It’s not intrusion but an humble request to the community here.

I have recently started an articles website and would request you (I will appreciate if you can) to please spare some time and post articles at my site.

Thanks

Prashant
http://www.depositarticles.com

]]> By: Andrea http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-24758 Andrea Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:08:37 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-24758 I did notice that some of the themes you've released don't have a licence file in with them. It would be a good idea to do that. A large number of people believe that if it is a free wordpress theme, they can do what they like. GPL the code, and CC (or otherwise) the graphics. Well, you can CC the code too, or make your themes paid ones(a small amount would probably be enough to stop ripoffs). GPL on the code still means they can make whatever changes they like *to the code itself*. Just asking people to leave your links in there doesn't leave you with much legal protection, I'm afraid. you'll have to do some research and re license your themes accordingly. While the above link-stuffing sucks, it's not exactly illegal. I did notice that some of the themes you’ve released don’t have a licence file in with them. It would be a good idea to do that.

A large number of people believe that if it is a free wordpress theme, they can do what they like.

GPL the code, and CC (or otherwise) the graphics. Well, you can CC the code too, or make your themes paid ones(a small amount would probably be enough to stop ripoffs).

GPL on the code still means they can make whatever changes they like *to the code itself*. Just asking people to leave your links in there doesn’t leave you with much legal protection, I’m afraid.

you’ll have to do some research and re license your themes accordingly. While the above link-stuffing sucks, it’s not exactly illegal.

]]> By: 4wd Motorhome http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-24729 4wd Motorhome Fri, 27 Jun 2008 09:29:11 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-24729 Tijger, it's not happen in all case of blogging. depends on your quality of blog/article and whetever.so you dont to said all commenter/Blogger never post negative. Tijger,

it’s not happen in all case of blogging. depends on your quality of blog/article and whetever.so you dont to said all commenter/Blogger never post negative.

]]> By: slayer http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-24621 slayer Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:26:20 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-24621 agreed, i hate those damn lamers, a few weeks back i found a guy trying to sell links on one of my freely released themes, of course claiming that he did it and he has PSD file just by curiosity i messaged him asking for a preview of the PSD, and guess what? he only showed me the logo's psd(which was included with the theme) so then i told him who i really am and what damage i can do to him anyway, great post Lorelei agreed, i hate those damn lamers, a few weeks back i found a guy trying to sell links on one of my freely released themes, of course claiming that he did it and he has PSD file

just by curiosity i messaged him asking for a preview of the PSD, and guess what? he only showed me the logo’s psd(which was included with the theme) so then i told him who i really am and what damage i can do to him

anyway, great post Lorelei

]]> By: newfolder http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-24510 newfolder Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:30:32 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-24510 don't worry about it, there will always be A-holes who rip people off, but the majority appreciate your work and use it properly. I think your designs are awesome, I'm definitely gonna be coming back for more....keep up the good work....btw, do u deviantart? don’t worry about it, there will always be A-holes who rip people off, but the majority appreciate your work and use it properly. I think your designs are awesome, I’m definitely gonna be coming back for more….keep up the good work….btw, do u deviantart?

]]> By: mcloide http://www.toptut.com/2008/06/19/ripped-my-theme-you-will-get-reported/comment-page-1/#comment-24466 mcloide Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:38:28 +0000 http://www.toptut.com/?p=1218#comment-24466 Sadly this happens a lot and after I have read this post, I went back and checked my 2 websites that uses Lorelei's designs. The first one - http://www.sushimadesimple.com - that's a blog about sushi and focused on Brazil, everything is alright, but when I have checked my wife's blog, http://www.cakendesign.com - the theme I'm 100% sure that is from Lorelei (I have added the cake - I had to customize a little bit, sorry), but I have never touched anything else from the design and my surprise, the credits on the design are not set to Lorelei. Now I'm not sure if the credits on the current template are correct or not. So, Lorelei, if the credits are wrong, can you send me the info so I can change it and make the design credits to the one that really deserves... Sadly this happens a lot and after I have read this post, I went back and checked my 2 websites that uses Lorelei’s designs.
The first one - http://www.sushimadesimple.com - that’s a blog about sushi and focused on Brazil, everything is alright, but when I have checked my wife’s blog, http://www.cakendesign.com - the theme I’m 100% sure that is from Lorelei (I have added the cake - I had to customize a little bit, sorry), but I have never touched anything else from the design and my surprise, the credits on the design are not set to Lorelei. Now I’m not sure if the credits on the current template are correct or not. So, Lorelei, if the credits are wrong, can you send me the info so I can change it and make the design credits to the one that really deserves…

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