I made a PB template a few months ago and made it available on Slightly Insane. Some people use it and I was fine until today I got an email from one of those people telling me that someone has been using my images without credit and not at all as intended.

THIS is the template. THIS is how they are using it. This has never happened to me before and I need some suggestions on how I should address this.

I'm quite pissed to be honest, and looking at the image urls they even hotlinked them from the person using the template. They not only stole my images, but that banner is made by the person who uses the template properly.

I would contact the forum owner. If they won't cooperate, contact the host. Failing that, change the image names on the host, so the forum is mislinked.

~Artemis

The profiles are only viewable by members, should I perhaps join to talk to them? The site is in French I think so I'm unsure how...

The host idea will have to be done by the other person, but I think that will have to be done...

Join and talk to them, don't be hostile. That's my advice. The calmer and politer you are the more likely they are to co-operate.

I have sent the admin a polite and calm email and I just hope that they can understand english =/

I hope it was an understanding, I'd hate to think they did it on purpose...

change the images to porn....

Posted By Dylan on 19th Feb 08 at 4:09pm

 

change the images to porn....

lol, but how will you know if they are hot linking? they could just be using their own host

Posted By Nick on 19th Feb 08 at 6:59pm

 

Posted By Dylan on 19th Feb 08 at 4:09pm

 

change the images to porn....

lol, but how will you know if they are hot linking? they could just be using their own host

You just look at the location of the image to see where it's hosted, and it's obviously hosted by the proper users.

Posted By Dylan on 19th Feb 08 at 4:09pm

 

change the images to porn....

The user is trying to get some serious help on how to deal with stolen images, and this is definitely not that. Please try to be more conscientious when posting.

As for this, if they refuse to co-operate, the best thing to do would be to do a WhoIs lookup to find their host. Then, contact their host and explain the situation.

If it gets as far as their host not complying, you can turn them over to ICANN, and the entire host could be shut down.

If it were me, I'd change the images to an image of something random with the text "I'm a filthy ripper" but in French.

It wouldn't bother me much if someone ripped a skin, but I'd want payback so thats what I'd do.

Posted By Marc on 20th Feb 08 at 2:34am

 

Posted By Dylan on 19th Feb 08 at 4:09pm

 

change the images to porn....

The user is trying to get some serious help on how to deal with stolen images, and this is definitely not that. Please try to be more conscientious when posting.

As for this, if they refuse to co-operate, the best thing to do would be to do a WhoIs lookup to find their host. Then, contact their host and explain the situation.

If it gets as far as their host not complying, you can turn them over to ICANN, and the entire host could be shut down.

Thanks Cr0w for the ideas, although if it gets to their host they are a well known one so I don't think it will pass them. Here's hoping...

@ Dylan: I'm not that weird or mean, I still believe in human beings and dealign with things civilly =P

I've got no reply as of yet, but I'll give them 2 more days... I gave the site a look through translator and they don't seem to be evil or malicious in taking the images, it is based on an anime much like the other user's site is so misunderstandings could be the cause.

The waiting game...