Wouldn't hurt the hobby any, too, if Microsoft removed the link from their FS page to his site. I still can't figure that one out... the biggest anti-piracy effort in the world linking to a pirate site.Go figure...

The thing is....that this guy is very ice headed, I mean he will stick to what he will do, his foundation of poaching files and sell it making money of all our hard work.I don't know what should we do in this situation, but Ferdy will get "it" soon, just like John said, we all have to be patient.

The sad truth, is that there really is little that can be done.In a perfect world, the mere presence of a copyright would stop folks from stealing your work. We would all work for the joy of providing service to our fellow man, and we would have no war.As you know, the world is far from perfect. Since a freeware author can not claim financial damages from a "pirated" file, no lawyer will take his case "pro-bono" or based on future rewards.As a result, the freeware author must provide all fees and monies required to try and prosecute.Fergy knows this. He knows that all threats of lawsuits and prosecution are paper tigers. The only time he may get snipped, is if he ticks off someone who is "powerful" or has "connections" and is willing to back up his principle, with some serious greenbacks.That's the way of the world.And unfortunately, the Fergies and PT's of this world are all too familiar with how the world works, they have been "workin it" for their entire lives.

Dear Tom,, is that like a horses head in his bed, or a few guys in black suits and sunglasses showing up at his door? Sorry, couldn't resist, your reply stuck me funny . . . anything to put that hack out of business is the 'right' thing.Best,Clay

On the upside, I notice that Microsoft has removed the link to FSPlanet on their FS web page. Kudos to Microsoft for embracing the rights of freeware authors, and for being a responsible party within this hobby and community.Some might see this as a small step, but it's an important step.:-beerchug Microsoft.

Hey, maybe we could have a "fund raiser" and have everyone who believes in the law donate some cash to hire a lawyer and teach a lesson to people such as this. My sister is a lawyer in this field, I have not spoken to her yet but I may be able to get her to do something with this as a favor to me or at a very reduced rate, at the very least I am sure she could find someone else that could take something like this. All I know is that I am sick of the attitude that he shows to those that create all of this wonderful stuff, without them Ferdy would not be able to do what he does, you would think that he would be kissing up to them, not treating them like dirt. If anyone wants to discuss this with me futher you may do so either here or via a personal message.Thanks, Philip

Wouldn't be so sure Will ;) There are other ways around it.He'll get whats coming to him in the end. ;)

And folks continue to believe that the Microsoft team doesn't read these forums. I have news for you doubters. The proof lies in the removal of our friend Ferdman from their links page. :)

As taken from the FSpirate "Privacy" Statement....FORBIDDEN! Our Site don't accept material from the next people (wrong archives, viruses, fakes, unknownledge of freeware's meaning....etc)- Mike Hambly, David Friswell, Marcel Ritzema, Dale deLuca, Erik Haaland, Dave Anderson and Shigeru TanakaAND:It's COMPLETELY FORBIDDEN to take any image or file using direct links from FSPLANET.COM / VOLFTP.MONDADORI.COM servers to other sites in any case. We noticed other sites are using our images and file links from our servers damaging our download speed and increasing our transfer costs. We will take international legal procedures to all those who takes images/files for personal pages. If you see any site using our images(FSPLANET.COM)/files(VOLFTP.MONDADORI.COM), contact with me immediatly: [email protected] The above in my view consist's of being entitled a joke.As one who appears on the above mentioned "Forbidden" bit, I'm gonna take my unknownledge & go put it to good use!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am also on that list for my actions against FSPlanet!

Well well well if it isn't Ferdick the poacher, he poached my files many time and my friends too, I'm sick of this ###### and hopefully he will get what he deserve. Shame with FSPlanet of the once great sites where he will give nice star ratings to any work he thinks needs to be appreciated and download for free, now the concept change. He doesn't even have any idea how good the file is, all he does is take those ugly screenies and just look at the screenies, if it's good he give 5, if it's not 4 or 3 never see 1 and 2 rating stars there.

"It's COMPLETELY FORBIDDEN to take any image or file using direct links from FSPLANET.COM / VOLFTP.MONDADORI.COM servers to other sites in any case."Comical that they should write this... seeing that his mirror stole one of my photo images last year.Just a bunch of crooks.

I remember when I first checked out that website. My first impression was "this site is junk" with all the annoying pop-up ADs he has, not to mention the interface is extremely poor. Avsim and Flightsim have always been my primary Flight Simulator resources ever since I got into Flight Simulation back in the FS98 days.Anyways, back to the topic. I've heard countless stories and threats from this guy through many forums. The last time I recall something major like this happened was when he took AFG's YS-11s (the first version) and put them on his website. It actually took a week or two before he took them off after several threats from AFG that they would file a lawsuit against him.Nothing but a crook who wants to keep building his library and that way promote more visitors which promotes more advertisement views which brings him more income through his First Class membership program and the annoying advertisements themselves.I think I heard that FSPlanet is currently the largest FS resource on the net. Wouldn't surprise me, he spends his entire day ripping off add-ons from various FS sites.Not sure if it has the most views though...it might. Who knows.I don't think I ever downloaded anything off of his site except possibly 1 or 2 things a lllooong time ago back in the FS98 and FS2000 days.Regards

Well what do you know......Ben Hewitt's US Airways 757 paintscheme appeared on FSPlanet....Not to mention several other add-ons which I am almost positive were not uploaded by the authors.......

>The sad truth, is that there really is little that can be>done.>>In a perfect world, the mere presence of a copyright would>stop folks from stealing your work. We would all work for the>joy of providing service to our fellow man, and we would have>no war.>>As you know, the world is far from perfect. Since a freeware>author can not claim financial damages from a "pirated" file,>no lawyer will take his case "pro-bono" or based on future>rewards.>>As a result, the freeware author must provide all fees and>monies required to try and prosecute.>If some wish to start registering their copyrights they can recover ALL legal Fees if the court finds in their favor. :)