Would this bother you (copyright sorta issue...)?

[notfred]

So, as many of you know, I run a picture hosting service with software that I've put much time and effort into writing from scratch (see my sig).

Now, an acquaintance of mine asked if I could let him use the software on his own website. I had no problems with this, and offered him my code. He didn't know how to setup or install my code, so I took my time to set up and configure the software on his server for him.

Now, I got an email from him, addressed to several hundred people, which states:

I am offering FREE file hosting at http://url.removed. There are no banner ads, no pop-ups, no BS. It takes 10 seconds to signup. You get a 5 megfile limit, a 25 meg account limit and UNLIMITED bandwidth. I programmed this myself, and there are more features that will be implemented soon. Please go to http://url.removed and check it out! If you have any questions, let me know! 100% FREE

Now, I highlighted the part in bold that annoys me. What would you do?

 

[Spoooon]

Yes that would annoy me.

You should tell him that it pisses you off and that he needs to send an email giving credit where credit is due.

 

[SammyBoy]

you should PROGRAM YOURSELF another little program that auto signs up for accts at his place, uploads 25mb of gay porn, then auto signs up again. Since he doesnt know sh1t about the code he wouldn't be able to change the sign up process so that your bot would stop working, and his only choice will be to take it down. THen you will prove victorious

 

[DanFungus]

that's pretty messed up.

 

[imported_Mike]

yes, since he isnt a friend/family member it would bother me.

 

[Hooligan]

time to send him some hate e-mail. or at least one specifying why it bothers you.

 

[notfred]

I have root access to his server. Was thinking of going in there and adding a copyright notice at the bottom of the page, crediting it to me. I'm not going to do anything destructive. He's asleep right now so I've got some time to think about it.

 

[SammyBoy]

I have already suggested the only decent and just thing to do. It doesn't have to be gay porn. Just upload 10 gigs of flower pics, he'll be confused by morning.

 

[Orsorum]

Just talk to him tomorrow. Good lord, settle it like an adult.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Highly unethical of him.

For one thing you can inform him that he'll get no help from you, ever, unless he sends a correction right away.

<not legal advice> If he refuses then you might be able to threaten to revoke his right to use your code, you granted him a license of sorts but falsely claiming authorship could be grounds to rescind it. You also might look at exactly how you responded in writing / email to him to see what rights you did give him. </not legal advice>

 

[giguana]

Originally posted by: notfred
I have root access to his server. Was thinking of going in there and adding a copyright notice at the bottom of the page, crediting it to me. I'm not going to do anything destructive. He's asleep right now so I've got some time to think about it.

that's a good idea

 

[hawkeye81x]

You need to tell him.
If he disagrees, I'm sure you can make some "improvements" to his website

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: notfred
So, as many of you know, I run a picture hosting service with software that I've put much time and effort into writing from scratch (see my sig).

Now, an acquaintance of mine asked if I could let him use the software on his own website. I had no problems with this, and offered him my code. He didn't know how to setup or install my code, so I took my time to set up and configure the software on his server for him.

Now, I got an email from him, addressed to several hundred people, which states:

I am offering FREE file hosting at http://url.removed. There are no banner ads, no pop-ups, no BS. It takes 10 seconds to signup. You get a 5 megfile limit, a 25 meg account limit and UNLIMITED bandwidth. I programmed this myself, and there are more features that will be implemented soon. Please go to http://url.removed and check it out! If you have any questions, let me know! 100% FREE

Now, I highlighted the part in bold that annoys me. What would you do?

Atleast he could have removed you from his distribution list.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: hawkeye81x
You need to tell him.
If he disagrees, I'm sure you can make some "improvements" to his website

I second this approach. Sounds like a fair compromise!

 

[Gunther]

I would be very pissed off if my friend did that to me. I would wait until he wakes up and have a discussion with him. You can ask him to put a post on his front page thanking you for letting him use YOUR software.

 

[crumpet19]

You have root access. You need to go in a remove your code. If he can't be grateful for what he's been given and give credit where it's due, then he has no need for that which does not belong to him.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

you have root access?
he's being an a$$ and claiming your code for himself?

rm -rf.

 

[fumbduck]

post his e-mail address.

we'll do the damage.

 

What kind of "friends" do you have? You need more friends like us

Id be really pissed.....

 

Yes, that would bother me. I'd give him a piece of my mind, and I'd fsck up his installation. But that's me, and I have a temper.

 

[crisp82]

Originally posted by: fumbduck
post his e-mail address.

we'll do the damage.

We can introduce him to Broohaha!

 

[dabuddha]

Personally I'd remove all of your code from his server and tell him it won't be back until credit is given where it's due. But if you didn't copyright the code, then it's not a copyright issue at all. Next time don't be so stupid about it.

 

[PatboyX]

would PISS me off.
i would email but, as ive mentioned in topics like this before , it really boils down to one thing: talent. if you produced something worth "stealing" in any way, you probably have the ability to create more things worthy. perhaps be more careful with them in the future but i think it helps to realize you have talent that some find desirous.

 

[whaleskinrug]

Originally posted by: notfred
I have root access to his server. Was thinking of going in there and adding a copyright notice at the bottom of the page, crediting it to me. I'm not going to do anything destructive. He's asleep right now so I've got some time to think about it.

sounds reasonable

 

[SWirth86]

What an asshole, just remove it all and when he asks about it tell him why you did it.

If you went out of your way to help him, he should have thanked you and let other people know that you programmed it (common courtesy). And to claim it as his own, thats just being a jerk.