Hi "Farlis",Yes, I know about the Software Patents discussion in the EU :-)But whatever finally will be decided, this is a bit irrelevant here; asking someone who makes freeware gauges (like me) if he has registered the Copyrights of these freeware gauges at a Patents Office, IMO is just at attempt to dodge the issue.Because the answer is trivial.Regards, Rob

HI Rob,I'd like to preface my comment by saying how much I have enjoyed your ground handling gauges which I installed in a number of panels.I did not have a look at your xml code but it appears others have. My knowledge of XML code is very limited but that said IMO any company that engages in this kind of shady behavior certainly does not deserve my business or anyone else's for that matter.I hope they do right by you sir. It would be a shame to see freeware developers discontioue to produce add-ons for fear that they will have their work stolen.Adam

>Hi "Farlis",>>Yes, I know about the Software Patents discussion in the EU>:-)>>But whatever finally will be decided, this is a bit irrelevant>here; asking someone who makes freeware gauges (like me) if he>has registered the Copyrights of these freeware gauges at a>Patents Office, IMO is just at attempt to dodge the issue.>>Because the answer is trivial.>>Regards, RobOf course it's an attempt to dodge the issue. But it's always good to know the facts to swing right back at them.My advice for you would be:If you do know any lawyers, preferably friends that studied law, get them to write a letter. Usually people cave in after they received some legal babble, possibly they thought they could use that tactic on you. Just give them some of their own medicine.

Dear Rob, simMarket.com has taken action and removed DSB's Harrier from it's product listingsBest regards,Johan [email protected]

Hi,Being generic, and without siding with anyone/hypothesising, the correct course of action until a copyright issue is resolved one way or another is:* inform all "outlets" of the possible infringment* those "outlets" to remove the disputed item from sale* the "creator/developer" to closely examine if said product contains any infringing material* confirm or deny, with proof, of any infringmentIf it proves it is infringing, take appropriate action.If no infringment is actually found, prove this to the "outlets", and take whatever action is required against the "accusor" for potentially-lost sales.If "creator/developer" are innocent, then it is in their best interests to prove this is so as the situation could be damaging their name which no reputable business would stand for.If an "outlet" sells or continues to sell a product that they have been made aware as containing potential infringing material, they too are at risk of liability also unless the item is either removed from sale or they hold proof that it is not an infringing item.I hope that is vauge enough. ;)Best regards,VulcanB2.

XXXXXX

<> That is why issuing written notice of infringement to the retailers is both very effective and very dangerous. The copyright owner issuing the Notice...HAD BETTER BE RIGHT...or he becomes open to suit for interference with contractual and business relationships.Regards,Jim

I think in the end if this all proves to be true, and I think Rob's case is pretty strong. IMO its almost impossible for the XML files to be independently that similar.The best solution IMO is that Rob should be compensated financially.The damage has already been done, its already been on the market some people have already paid for it, Rob needs some sort of compensation.If such a settlement can be made between Rob and the other parties, then, simmarket and DSB can work out whether they still want to do business together.Regards.Ernie.

>XXXXXXI'm sure you were right in deleting the words :-lol

>I think in the end if this all proves to be true, and I think>Rob's case is pretty strong. IMO its almost impossible for the>XML files to be independently that similar.>>The best solution IMO is that Rob should be compensated>financially.>The damage has already been done, its already been on the>market some people have already paid for it, Rob needs some>sort of compensation.>>If such a settlement can be made between Rob and the other>parties, then, simmarket and DSB can work out whether they>still want to do business together.>>Regards.>Ernie.Forgive me in advance for offering my opinion of what Rob's intention and motivation was: The problem is that Rob didn't want to make money - he wanted to contribute to a community that is dying because of exactly this kind of act. It's a sad day when a person who freely contributes his time and intellectual property finds himself in the unenviable position of having to accept the burden of defending his rights (financial and otherwise) to that property without ever having made a penny. Public opinion is a very powerful but biased court, and this thread is a testament as to how this public has ruled, but that doesn't help Rob achieve any justice in this matter.I remember those good old days when freeware was the rule - commercial addons were few and far between. Without rehashing the arguments about how things have changed, I realize there are people and companies that deserve to be compensated for their development of FS addons - there are expenses that are incurred to make high-quality addons, be it aircraft or scenery, which at a minimum should be offset by charging for the product. However, there are also those who do not deserve to be compensated...those who cross the line and include freeware without the author's consent or knowledge surely must top that list.Best,sg

Distributors have a Responsibility TooIt's Called ETHICS and Integrity for doing what is right, not what is Popular, something I see some in this hobby no longer have in my opinion.This is the way I see it.I feel enough evidence has been submitted, and I just doubt DSB will even bother responding until enough pressure is applied by THE COMMUNITY./EDITIt seems they have decided to respond, so I guess some pressure was applied, although there really isn't any information other than Rob said he spent hundreds of hours creating this code, and DSB/Sigma/MAX/David?Karen, whoever they are claiming to be today...etc...etc.... Claim they have rewritten some code in record setting time apparently and are releasing it today... :-lol :-lolTheir Statements are here:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=263563&page=/End EditSo SimMarket rewards the alleged thieves by acting in this matter:/sarcasm"Well you only stole something for this product so we'll keep making money off the rest of your products. BTW - With all the publicity, your other sales have increased a bit as well, we appreciate it."/end sarcasmThat is pure and simple GREED..... They should remove all products while this is being resolved. What if DSB NEVER RESPONDS... Business as usual, and the dollar continues to flow. IS that right? Is that what some here would be happy with as a conclusion?And a company that acts with little integrity is not a company consumers should give their dollars to.Rob has given them (DSB) 5 days thus far attempting to resolve this, some others have verified his claims and not one single counter claim has been submitted by anyone that is valid to refute what Rob claims.I'm siding with Rob on this. I know a little xml from my profiles work, and in my opinion it is very subjective on the part of the author.I'm not blaming simmarket for anything here, it was the actions of someone else, DSB who claims copyright, but their continued business alliance with a company that has allegedly STOLEN CODE created by someone else, and then keeps doing business with that company lacks any sense of Integrity and business ethics in my opinion, and means to me they are supporting piracy, instead of helping to alleviate it.You know, all these payware developers, rightly so, complain about piracy and then when one of their own allegedly steals work and is the pirate, you think they would be screaming the loudest.The silence is deafening. Yeah, you hear the we're with you, but what have they done? One here says they contacted simmarket, and was told they removed the file. What, that's it?If the payware developers want respect, integrity, and want to get rid of piracy, they should be telling distributors if you continue doing business with companies that do this sort of thing, then we are not doing business with you.These payware developers that CLAIM to be with Rob should put statements on their front pages supporting Rob, and contacting advertisers, other developers and actually doing something. That is Integrity. if they fail to do this, well that says more about their character than I need to know. ***Hollow claims of support not backed up by action are just that hollow claims.A lot of people here say something should be done about Piracy, and I fully support that. USE THIS EVENT AS A CATALYST TO COME TOGETHER TO FIGHT THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR.If you choose not to, then next time you complain about pirates you may feel the same silence, (from DSB Publicly), Rob is seeing in this thread.Don't just be in support of him, take action and assist him. As for them being in the middle, they can be a leader and gain more respect form the community by taking a stand against PIRACY and removing all of DSB's products. That is what a fair and above board company does. Not the minimum, but the right ethical honest thing to do.Sheesh, people do you want to do something about Piracy or not???Regards,JoeGrab My FREEWARE Voice recognition Profiles here:[a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004misc&DLID=58334]Cessna 172 Voice Profile[/a][a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004misc&DLID=60740]FSD Avanti Voice Profile[/a].You will need the main FREEWARE Flight Assistant program to use it, get it here:[a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=genutils&DLID=39661]Flight Assistant 2.2[/a]

http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/showthread.php?t=2403Not sure why they haven't posted this here. Perhaps they haven't had the chance yet.

I think I saw this on FOX last week. Right after "when pet's attack"...?:-smooch

"Spin City" you mean ?.....http://www.fsd-international.com/team/Steve_signature.gif

I'm sorry Rob for your story. I'm also sorry I supported the harrier by buying in from simmarket.I've been trying to have my money refunded twice at simmarket for the following reasons:some features advertised on simmarket's description pages aren't included with the product. In details the wittering egtx scenery is incomplete and the fully dynamic VC is not properly working as advertised.Now that the product has been withdrawn I feel both fooled and unsupported.The customer support repr. I've been in touch simply repeats 'no refund given' without even listening to my problems, and tells me to get in touch with dsbdesign. But the problem as I tried to point out is that :they as publisher led me to believe features advertised were present where in fact they aren't.Could somebody please help me out putting me in touch with anybody at simmarket who would be keen to listen to my problem?thanks a lotLuca Zappala'