Just looking at a site reputing to sell cheap software. Go to:http://www.computermarket.com/mall/390F077...n_40.html#a1165and scroll down about between 1/3 and half-way down the page, you'll find "F/S Expansions 2004 [-R DVD] - pc/dvdrom" with details of contents.It isn't possible to establish what's on there, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess the possible sources!

some of the screenshots of the package could be from freeware releases, but are way to small to be sure...somebody around here whos close to that adress?telephone: +44(0)1702 306060email: [email protected]: MJM Software Support, 217-219 Hamstel Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS2 4LBtom

wouldn't be surprised. Selling CDs of freeware and shareware is a longstanding tradition in Europe and elsewhere predating the internet (and originally sold as diskettes, predating the CD).Sometimes they make the error of including commercial titles and are taken down, usually it's impossible because the legal cost is too high.

I've also noticed on another page that they are selling the Captain Sim 727 package for

It's very convenient that the screenshots are so small that you can't really determine what they have (they also sell an FS2002 compilation). But if they are selling freeware without permission, this is more blatant than even an ebay offering. I think the time may come soon where we as freeware authors seek an attorney who can make an example of one of these clowns and seek a pro bono class action suit. I'd be willing to let the attorney take all the proceeds, just to see one of these clowns end up where they belong. This case is interesting because the site seems to be in the UK. I wonder if the UK would be more favorable to protecting copyright from freeware authors? -John P.S. I also suggest you email Captain Sim if they haven't seen this already. If the author has their permission, great. If not, perhaps someone with deeper pockets than I can go after 'em...

as far as i can notice the heli at the top left side 2nd image is freeware... i am pretty sure it is freeware otherwise the price wouldnt be that low and i am also sure that the top left pic is Hughes 500D can be found at simviation.combut thats just a guess.mhh such a shame ppl do so..best regardsS.J.

Y'know, it's crap like this that make me NOT want to contnue with my design efforts, even if I was payware, as it seems all payware files end up on warez sites. Yeah, I can give the benefit of the doubt, but it's highly unlikely this person is on the up and up. I'm with John on the lawyer deal, would love to see action taken against all these thieves.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/PBTMCa.jpgCalVirAir International VACougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviation[link:www.cgrmthelos.com]Cougar Mountain Helicopters

I looked at the networking tools they offer and they are all freeware tools that are readily available via download from various internet sites. Actually, if they are hacking payware (and it seems so) in addition to "selling" freeware, there are definite criminal penalties. I sent the url to my state Attorney General's office to see if there is something they would like to do. People like this need to spend a little time in prison to reflect on their mischief.

Hi all,Ah, the honor: the package includes my AI ships and AI floatplane packages, at least that's what the screenshots in the lower left and lower right indicate.I wonder whether the "authors" edit all those read-me files that clearly state that this stuff cannot be sold; I guess they don't bother.Tsk, tsk.Cheers, Holger

Holger,I strongly recommend you -- and anyone else who believes their content may either be depicted or included on their disks -- to email them requesting a full list of files on the disk under the concern that your copyright is being breached.Regards,--M

maybe better yet, ask them for a full listing of the disk content without reason (while alluding you might be interested in buying) or they'll come up with some cheap excuse that they don't have a list...and it's easy to rename files, making a file list useless.

Have sent an email, along the lines of jwenting's suggestion. Will let you all know the outcome, if any.

I live a couple of miles from that shop, will pay them a visit tomorrow and see what they have on offer, will let you know whats on the dvd's.Regards,Bob Jones

>maybe better yet, ask them for a full listing of the disk>content without reason (while alluding you might be interested>in buying) or they'll come up with some cheap excuse that they>don't have a list...I did exactly that when I saw this post yesterday morning... as of yet... no reply

>I live a couple of miles from that shop, will pay them a>visit tomorrow and see what they have on offer, will let you>know whats on the dvd's.Thanks Bob. I expect they're doing a Ferdie and grabbing all the freeware they can find off the library and similar sites for other hobbies. Strictly speaking, selling a compilation of freeware and shareware isn't illegal, as long as the individual authors don't have any language in their EULA's limiting the distribution, the charge is 'reasonable' and also as long as it's made clear that the charge is for making and distributing the compilation, not for the software.Apart from my freeware GA and turboprop external panel programs, I haven't distributed any software in years. I used to put out some Palm Pilot shareware titles. One of the reasons I stopped was that one of my (I thought !) better offerings was included in a compilation that was sold through a major electronics chain store. The CD did say - in tiny letters - that the progrmas were shareware, but I think many retail purchasers simply didn't know what that even meant. Plus, the price was high enough that I think many people just assumed they were buying retail software. Well, I suddenly started getting lots and lots of emails and phone calls (My full name and address was in the readme) from people telling me they bought my program retail at the store and needed the key to unlock it. Many got REALLY nasty on being asked to fork over another $9.99 for something they thought they already bought. I got some money out of the deal, but not enough to cove the aggravation.Richard