User Asking Help...Over A Possibly Unauthorized Copy?

davezan · 08-17-2009, 07:41 PM

Hi folks.

This is something I won't really fret too much over. But I decided to ask here
since it aroused my curiosity, and it's something I haven't really encountered
before.

I just got an email out of nowhere from someone asking help on a soon-to-be
released report. Questions like will I get sued if I do this, that sort of thing.

Now I've sold limited copies to test market demand for such. Got good results,
so I'll eventually sell it at a higher price with a limited bonus.

Here's the kicker: he said he got a copy of it...

...for free from someone else.

I've long expected so-called pirates out there, as well as the original debates
for "locking" a PDF to non-paying users. Currently I won't do the latter as I've
thought it'll make things unnecessarily tougher for my paying customers.

Oh, and I did state in my report it's not for free. Not that it'll really stop some
people from giving it away without my knowledge and consent.

One of my schizophrenic lines of thought (he he) is to tell that user to check
back with the one he got the copy from; that I mainly and only (?) answer all
and any report-specific questions to my paying customers, and he can ask a
lawyer on his.

I haven't replied because I wanted some feedback what I can possibly ask or
tell that user. I intend to ask who he got it from and how, but how or what
else would you say or ask, or do in this situation?

Thanks for your thoughts.

David

CDawson · 08-17-2009, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises

I would tell him that this was unauthorized as you don't allow the report to be given away and ask who gave it to him. Let him know right away that his copy is illegal and you don't offer support unless he'd like to purchase a license to the material.

Tina

You should investigate what has been said above BUT you are also going to need to know where the illegal copy came from, as far as you know it could be on hundreds of sites where visitors can download freely, I would do a search for your product in "" on google and see if you can find any websites that are giving your product away for free and take immediate action, sorry to hear about this it really ticks me off.

Steven Carl Kelly · 08-17-2009, 09:33 PM

Personally, in similar cases, I've always been happy to help them regardless of how they happened to get a copy of my product. So my advice, from my POV of course, is to go ahead and help them out.

Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter · 08-18-2009, 12:25 PM

Since 2001 I've been placing this notice on PDF's I sell - OR EVEN GIVE AWAY FROM MY SITE:

Quote:

If you received this document from anyone other than
VirtualProfitCenter.com it is stolen. We offer a cash reward to anyone who reports such theft. Please report all theft to:

Theft@VirtualProfitCenter.com

It works pretty well to discourage redistribution.

We also use PHP to verify visitors before they get the download which is not perfect, but it does help prevent some dishonest downloads.

davezan · 08-18-2009, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the posts, folks. Just an update.

I replied back with something like I'd love to help, but asked him where he got
it. He answered he got it from...what I feared yet expected...a warez forum,
and it's hosted overseas that really ignores copyright laws, DMCAs, etc.

I then answered I can only help those who secured one directly from me, but
he can also ask a lawyer since his questions essentially border on legal issues
anyway. Even if, worse case scenario, that user badmouths me, I'm prepared
to deal with it.

Personally I'd like to help that user out, too. But...we can only do so much at
such limited time, and it makes things easier for me to prioritize my time for all
the folks who entrusted me with their money still.

Again thanks for sharing. I pretty much know what to do next time, especially
when I officially launch that report.

Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter · 08-19-2009, 06:29 PM

My two cents...

If your guy got your product from a warez site then he is an open thief--he didn't get it accidentally, he went to a site where he could download stolen goods.

I appreciate your desire to help everyone, but this guy doesn't deserve anyone's help.

08-17-2009, 07:41 PM	#1
davezan Domain Names... War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,833 Thanks: 72 Thanked 85 Times in 68 Posts Social Networking	User Asking Help...Over A Possibly Unauthorized Copy? Hi folks. This is something I won't really fret too much over. But I decided to ask here since it aroused my curiosity, and it's something I haven't really encountered before. I just got an email out of nowhere from someone asking help on a soon-to-be released report. Questions like will I get sued if I do this, that sort of thing. Now I've sold limited copies to test market demand for such. Got good results, so I'll eventually sell it at a higher price with a limited bonus. Here's the kicker: he said he got a copy of it... ...for free from someone else. I've long expected so-called pirates out there, as well as the original debates for "locking" a PDF to non-paying users. Currently I won't do the latter as I've thought it'll make things unnecessarily tougher for my paying customers. Oh, and I did state in my report it's not for free. Not that it'll really stop some people from giving it away without my knowledge and consent. One of my schizophrenic lines of thought (he he) is to tell that user to check back with the one he got the copy from; that I mainly and only (?) answer all and any report-specific questions to my paying customers, and he can ask a lawyer on his. I haven't replied because I wanted some feedback what I can possibly ask or tell that user. I intend to ask who he got it from and how, but how or what else would you say or ask, or do in this situation? Thanks for your thoughts. David
	David How To Get An Expiring/Expired Domain Name \| Got Domain Name Issues? Check here

08-17-2009, 09:33 PM	#3
Steven Carl Kelly Trust Christ Alone War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,014 Thanks: 63 Thanked 806 Times in 391 Posts	Re: User Asking Help...Over A Possibly Unauthorized Copy? Personally, in similar cases, I've always been happy to help them regardless of how they happened to get a copy of my product. So my advice, from my POV of course, is to go ahead and help them out.
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08-18-2009, 05:06 PM	#5
davezan Domain Names... War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,833 Thanks: 72 Thanked 85 Times in 68 Posts Social Networking	Re: User Asking Help...Over A Possibly Unauthorized Copy? Thanks for the posts, folks. Just an update. I replied back with something like I'd love to help, but asked him where he got it. He answered he got it from...what I feared yet expected...a warez forum, and it's hosted overseas that really ignores copyright laws, DMCAs, etc. I then answered I can only help those who secured one directly from me, but he can also ask a lawyer since his questions essentially border on legal issues anyway. Even if, worse case scenario, that user badmouths me, I'm prepared to deal with it. Personally I'd like to help that user out, too. But...we can only do so much at such limited time, and it makes things easier for me to prioritize my time for all the folks who entrusted me with their money still. Again thanks for sharing. I pretty much know what to do next time, especially when I officially launch that report.
	David How To Get An Expiring/Expired Domain Name \| Got Domain Name Issues? Check here

08-19-2009, 06:29 PM	#6
Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter Full Frontal Lobe Nudity War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 912 Thanks: 519 Thanked 492 Times in 205 Posts Social Networking	Re: User Asking Help...Over A Possibly Unauthorized Copy? My two cents... If your guy got your product from a warez site then he is an open thief--he didn't get it accidentally, he went to a site where he could download stolen goods. I appreciate your desire to help everyone, but this guy doesn't deserve anyone's help.
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