I've been having fun watching a ripper systematically steal my site design. I first caught him a few days ago when he downloaded my site to his hard drive. I was able to actually see him view the page several times on his computer, rename the page, set up a subdomain on his web hosting and design site, etc, etc. How did I do this? I have tracking code in all my site pages. So every time he accessed a page (even locally), I was alerted. He was too stupid to realize there was tracking code in the HTML page.

My design site: www.dzyntech.com

His subdomain page: http://maria.motas.ca/ideas/

(Click on the mywebsite folder. You will then have to look at the various png's to see all the images he's copied. If you click on the temp directory and look at mina.htm, as you can see, he still has all of my text on the page.

I'm going to have a little fun with this guy. I'm off to call him on the phone and mess with his mind a bit...

Vito

umm scary. and i'm talkin about you, u stalker! LOL

Hehe, that's a whole new use for EOT that I hadn't thought of. Course I wouldn't have, nobody rips my site. :)

You should record the conversations, or get Rewdog and crew to do their number on em.

It was fun watching how many times he would refresh his page in his local browser. I could almost imagine the changes he was making.

I know, I'm a stalker. But admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery...

And yes, EOT comes in handy in ways you never dreamed...

Vito

Man Vito, seems like somebody always ripping your site or tutorials. But now you have a whole new sales pitch for EOT!

Well, you are all probably being ripped off just as much. Nothing special about me. It's just that my tracking abilities allow me to see it when it happens.

Vito

Damn. He's gone for the day. It looks like I might have to wait until Monday to scramble his brain cells. I left a message and sent him an email. Hopefully he will reply before Monday.

'cause I can't wait to make his head spin... :nuts:

Vito

Ahhhh, can't wait until Monday. Looked him up and found his home number. Must be a young guy, as the message on the phone said

"[father's name], [mother's name] and Matt can't come to the phone right now..."

So I assume he's the son living at home. I'll just keep calling until he's home. Got my trusty tape recorder all ready for the call. :D

Vito

Originally posted by DizixCom
Hehe, that's a whole new use for EOT that I hadn't thought of. Course I wouldn't have, nobody rips my site. :)

You should record the conversations, or get Rewdog and crew to do their number on em. Enlighten me on this whole rewdog thing...
Edit: BTW vito not to bust your bubble or anything although in America it's illegal to record someone without their permission.

Kid probably has nothing better to do... I mean even I suck at webdesigning... so I downloaded a free template. ;)

So go ahead and steal my site.... not like I actually made it. ;)

<script language="JavaScript1.3" type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.waterhosting.com/wmserver/tag.php?action=get_code"
></script>

is that the tracker?

Yup.

hehehe....poor kid. Didn't even look at the source code. :D

BTW, can you share that code? :cool:

Sorry, I can't. It's actually part of a software product I sell on one of my other sites (I will not mention it to avoid being accused of self-promotion). Many WHT members here already know of it...

Vito

got it. :)

Vito: I don't know of it :confused: Can we PM you so that you can tell us the URL? ;)

Got him on the phone. He returned my call -

[*edit - I have been counselled (by my lawyer) to remove this conversation, as it may compromise my case against him...oh well *]

Hmm. If he thinks he feels harrassed now, he's in for a bit of a surprise... :eek: :eek:

Vito

Perhaps you should call back and talk to the parents.

I tried. I got voice mail. Left a message. That's all I will bother doing. If no call by Monday, I'll call my lawyer.

Vito

Akash, I'll PM you with the URL.

Vito

Damn your lucky Vito, I wish i could harrass a ripper over the phone :D
Isnt it funny how its always "one of our designers" ? "I didnt rip it, its the designers fault" Theres too many younguns in this industry trying to look like they have a team when there a one man shop :(

Don't try to call a lawyer or anything... a simple talk with the kids parents would be sufficient.

I left a detailed message about what Matt is doing. If I get a callback, fine. If not, it's off to the lawyer I go...

Makes sense?

Vito

******* kiddos need a good whacking.

Nice code Vito:

<script language="JavaScript1.3" type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.waterhosting.com/wmserver/tag.php?action=get_code"
></script>

Originally posted by vito
I left a detailed message about what Matt is doing. If I get a callback, fine. If not, it's off to the lawyer I go...

Makes sense?

Vito

That seems good enough... ;) Hopefully the parents will teach that kid a lesson.

By the way, how old did he sound like on the phone? Just wondering... because from what I read from that transcript he sounds quite immature.

He actually sounded surprisingly old for his age. By that I mean he sounded in his twenties. But hey, I'll bet if you got Timmah on the phone, he might sound 25 too...

Vito

I have spoken with Tim on the phone. He sounds like a 12 year old girl. I was actually shocked thinking it was some kind of a joke, way back when. Believe it or not, I was not as pissed on the phone with him since he was a minor.

But how did we get the subject on Timmay once again? :D

But how did we get the subject on Timmay once again?

sheesh! His friend is designing a site for another "timmy host" ;)

Once you're in the thread, timechange, it's a natural. Heck, look at your title!!!!

www.demodemo.com/emoticon/timmah.gif



Vito

Vito,

Keep us updated. This is going to be interesting!

-Dan

How about making that emoticon say "timmay" ? timpd is a bad man :(

Originally posted by ChickenSteak
Enlighten me on this whole rewdog thing...
Edit: BTW vito not to bust your bubble or anything although in America it's illegal to record someone without their permission. First off, that rule only applies in some states. Double part consent is in some states, not all. Second, he is not in the US, so US law shouldn't apply to him...

Originally posted by iamdave
Second, he is not in the US, so US law shouldn't apply to him...

Try telling that to the Californian court that sued the company that owns Kazaa - although they are not based in the US.

Originally posted by timechange
Try telling that to the Californian court that sued the company that owns Kazaa - although they are not based in the US. Exactly...

Well, he's in Canada and so am I. And as far as the law is concerned, provided that one party is aware that the conversation is being recorded, there is nothing untoward about it.

Besides, I only recorded it for the benefit of being able to post it here. It's not like I will need it to prove copyright infringement. Screen captures and URLs will easily show that...

Vito

This is a Canadian issue, but since it was mentioned here I've got this FYI regarding telephone taping laws in the US:

http://archive.aclu.org/issues/cyber/phonelaw.html

KICK HIS SORRY ASS! :D

can someone PM Me the site to Vito where he sells this excellent product? Thank You.

http://www.demodemo.com

Hmmf. :mad:

My lawyer asked me to delete the phone conversation that I had with this ripper. Something about not wanting to take away from the plan of attack...

Vito

Damn that was a good one :D

Well, at least some of you got to read it...

Vito

Here's the conversation for those who missed it: :D

-RIIIING!

- Ripper: Yeah, like, who dat?

- e-Stalker: You're toast dude. I've been watching your actions from afar.

- Ripper: D-oh! You be da kid from 7th grade? I kick yo ass!

- e-Stalker: I am the voice of your conscience. You will never escape punishment. Repent or face the consequences!

- Ripper: Huh? What you be talking in tongues now? I done no wrong.

- e-Stalker: Your apparent lack of appreciation for words longer than 4 letters will not diminish my wrath for your thoughtless actions.

- Ripper: Whateva. I gots to go, mom and dad eatin dinnah.

- e-Stalker: You are being watched, like an arachnoid observes its ant prey before the final attack. I only attack once and the punishment delivered is swift and severe.

- Ripper: !@^%!@^ you !@!@^ *CLICK*




:D

Hey, that's pretty close, TC. :emlaugh:

You've got a memory like an elephant! Or is that a camel? Or a ... :confused:

Vito

My memory is DDR :D

This is tracking script sounds interesting - can you PM me with the address/cost as well :D

Thanks. Good luck with resolving it.

Originally posted by ubergeek22
This is tracking script sounds interesting - can you PM me with the address/cost as well :D

Thanks. Good luck with resolving it.

Can You send me one too? thanks alot.


And good luck with stopping the ripper

Gee, this really wasn't intended as a plug for one of my sites. Honest. I just wanted to expose this ripper, but I had to explain how I tracked him.

www.eyesontraffic.com .

Sorry, mods. They made me do it...

Vito

If I were him, I would of downloaded a free template... and learn from that.

Aw, shucks. Looks like he took the files off the server. I can't play around with him anymore.

I guess his mommy talked some sense into him...

Vito

thread is clean as a whistle now :D

sunil: your posts were also removed. The discussion will continue in the thread i previously linked to. New threads on that topic will just get deleted again :)

http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=118185

lol... merged into this...ok

lmao .. merging all those (wello accused) into that single thread...alright understandable.
but i donot know when you merge you miss some important posts like the one i made to reply fazel!!! hahahaha whotaa fun with the mods this gonna be..come'on men

So, akash...what do you think about your new MOD hat, now that you've worn it a few days? :D
Lotta work or much amusement?

it'd be pretty simple if certain other mods (CHICKEN) didn't accidentally merge two unrelated threads :D

i only mod as i read....even you could do it :stickout:

just wonder how much it will cost you for the attorney fee? is it worth it to go against this kid?

Well, no not anymore. He appears to have taken down the design. I will watch him closely in the coming weeks.

Vito

Originally posted by VNPIXEL
just wonder how much it will cost you for the attorney fee? is it worth it to go against this kid?

It's a matter of principle & it's against the law to duplicate copyrighted material without permission. Is it worth putting time and effort into something, only having somebody ripping it with one "Save" command?

I had a similar instance very recently, as Vito would recall.

I remember your thread, TC. After reading it, I decided to scrap my plans to copy your design for a new site of mine.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Did I say that out loud?? :eek:

Vito

:D ROFL

wow that is the funnies **** I have ever heard of but when I used the link that is in the javascript it pulled up this.


// Copyright (c) 2002 Anahoret Team

// period of data passing to server in sec,
var period = 30;

// id of webmaster which uses this script
//-- var webmaster_id = ;

// Url for image which gets info about visitor and return one 1x1 transparent
// GIF:
var img_url = 'http://www.waterhosting.com/wmserver/tag.php?';

// using this image all info is passed to server inside of url
var img = new Image();

// Converts days to miliseconds
/*
function days2miliseconds( days )
{
return days * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000;
}
*/

// returns current time to make urls unique
function getUTCTime()
{
var d = new Date();
var res = d.getUTCFullYear() + "/" +
d.getUTCMonth() + "/" +
d.getUTCDate() + " " +
d.getUTCHours() + ":" +
d.getUTCMinutes() + ":" +
d.getUTCSeconds() + ":" +
d.getUTCMilliseconds();
return res;
}


// Sends info about
function SendStartInfo()
{
var browser = navigator.userAgent;
var page_url = window.location.href;
var page_title = window.document.title;
var referrer = window.document.referrer;
var time = getUTCTime();
var url = img_url +
"action=new_page&" +
//-- "webmaster_id=" + webmaster_id + "&" +
"visitor_user_agent=" + escape( browser ) + "&" +
"page_url=" + escape ( page_url ) + "&" +
"page_title=" + escape( page_title ) + "&" +
"page_referer=" + escape( referrer ) + "&" +
"time=" + escape( time );
img.src = url;
}

// Sends info about the fact that this user is till on the site
function SendPresenceInfo()
{
var time = getUTCTime();
var url = img_url +
"action=cur_page&" +
//-- "webmaster_id=" + webmaster_id + "&" +
"time=" + escape( time );
img.src = url;
}

SendStartInfo();
window.setInterval( 'SendPresenceInfo()', period * 1000 );

Not sure what your point is... :confused:

Vito

Why would you bother even talking to a lawyer about a kid - it's not like you can actually do anything to him... maybe his parents, but he won't learn anything from that...

Fair enough if it was an actual 'live' site which was intended for commercial gain and was activly being used... but if it's just some kid having a mess around with your design, really, why bother? I'm sure everyone disected a few sites when they were learning HTML/CSS to see how things were done.

Oh well - good luck taking your "legal action" anyway, sounds like a fair bit of BS if you ask me though... while I hate rippers (have had some of my stuff ripped before) I don't think it would be worth your trouble...

Platinum, have you read the thread?? :confused:

Can you tell me where I said I am going ahead with legal action? Please point to any specific posts and enlighten me, would you?

sounds like a fair bit of BS if you ask me though...
Do you enjoy being a troll? I don't know about you, but I make it a point to protect my designs, my work, my intellectual property. I agressively go after anyone who steals from me. I can't believe you see anything untoward about that.

Vito

What's more shocking is that this kind of 'advice' comes from a Sitepointforums advisor. I mean, come on.

I too, would be hunt down anyone who stole one of my designs, but sometimes it is more trouble than it is worth. All I'm trying to say is that it sounds like an awful lot of effort for something that was probably never going to be used for anything "real" in the first place. As the dir was called "ideas" it points to the fact it was just a testing ground I presume...

Sorry about the harsh attitude, but I honestly think if I was in the same situation, I wouldn't have done anything except send them an email asking them to remove it from the web, rather than consult lawyers, etc.

No offence, but I'm not here to "troll" as you so elegantly put it ;)

Originally posted by timechange
What's more shocking is that this kind of 'advice' comes from a Sitepointforums advisor. I mean, come on.

Thanks for the comment :rolleyes:

No, I think there is no such thing as 'slightly pregnant'. If there is a violation, there should be an apprehention.

'He who's not in the dance, can sing a song too many'.

Greek proverb.

Originally posted by timechange
No, I think there is no such thing as 'slightly pregnant'. If there is a violation, there should be an apprehention.

It's the same concept as the criminal laws we have in place - young members of the community are a little less experienced, still have to learn a few "values" which most of us might consider common sense... if they are caught doing something wrong, often it'll just be a slap on the wrists and a "don't do it again", rather than issueing out the death sentence at the drop of a hat...

Oh come on. In your advice above, you recommend total lack of any punishment.

It's a moot point because he has taken the design down, but we're all assuming he is underage? For all we know he's a 25 year old who lives at home.

On the other hand, if he in fact was a minor, what is your recommended course of action, platinum? Let it go because it's "not worth the trouble"? Open season?

Vito

In that case, let's not forget Tim-PD who is underage and a skilled ripper.

Well, really what can you do? I think the phone call to their parents would be more than enough... it's unlikely it would ever go much further than that even if you did try and take further action.

Look - I'm absolutly against ripping as much as anyone else, but you have to consider the circumstances... if it were a design in active use selling or promoting a product, and claiming to be "their" design, thats when you get serious, but an "ideas" folder on a subdomain owned by a kid is hardly something to go all-out on.

OK let me ask you this...if 1,000,000 kids replicate it, would that be not important either? Where do you draw the line?

How about we drop the issue now, we seem to be going round in circles...

Wrong answer, platinum.

Well, I'm not quite sure how you define "all-out". Over the course of the week, I watched him systematically take the design and rework it on his computer. I didn't obsess over it, I just tracked his activity. When he finally put it up on his server, I took screenshots, I called him on the phone to confront him, I sent all screenshots and URLs to his upstream provider. Is that going "all-out" yet?

I sent a quick email to my lawyer and asked his opinion on an appropriate course of action. He gave me his thoughts, and that's it.

Please tell me at what point you consider my actions "all-out" and/or excessive.

Vito

What made me think you were taking it further was the removed transcript's and the Something about not wanting to take away from the plan of attack....

Was what made me think you had something further planned...

I guess you were just covering all bases, but thats just the general inuendo I was getting, that you were still planning to take some sort of legal action.

Anyway, it all seems to be sorted now, and I hope you don't get anymore trouble from this ripper.

Platinum, you engage in mediation once and then you've lost the game.

I'm pretty sure he's learned his lesson.

Vito

Vito... that eyesontrafic thingy... are you the only one who do that? I might like to try something like that, but at the moment my budget is limited and I like to play around with free scripts until I really need to pay for it.

Yes, that's my proprietary script. If you like, you can download a 14 day free trial and play around with it. Then when you're ready, you can buy it and then it just takes one activation file to re-activate the program you already downloaded.

Vito

OK... I will do that. I don't think anyone will try to rip my work, but it would be nice to know more about my visitors anyway.

Being able to track rippers just sort of became an added benefit of using EOT, as it turned out. But that's not the main purpose of the product.

And selling EOT is not the main purpose of this thread...

Sorry, mods. :( Just turned out this way.

Vito