Pirated Software

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:31 AM

No, this is not about the legality of pirated software but I need some help rather about what to go about.

It recently came to my attention that software that I wrote and own exclusive rights to has been pirated and is being freely able to be downloaded. I want to know the proper steps to go about doing this. If I contact the user from their site they will automatically ban my IP. I've yet to take any action but contacting the owner of the download site in order to have them remove my file.

So, now that you know the background... Here's what I have figured out. The domain's address is in Houston, Texas. I'm assuming the download came from someone who owns a legal license. (No, I cannot tell which.) I have called the number in the whois multiple times only recieving an answering machine.

I want to make sure that this guy's site is taken down and take it to the furthest extreme I can possibly do.

If you can't tell, I'm pretty pissed off right now about the situation and before I act upon it I want to get some advice. What's my next step?

**imported_Max** · 07-15-2006, 02:34 AM

Trace it to a datacenter and send in a C&D to the datacenter and the host. It's most probably ThePlanet, I believe they're located in Houston, Texas.

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:36 AM

The domain owner lives in texas, not the datacenter.

I want to take instant action on this. I'm not sure which route to go though.

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:39 AM

The server is at liquidweb.com.

**imported_Max** · 07-15-2006, 02:40 AM

It's likely that the host will act faster than the datacenter, most likely because of fear of further auctions. The datacenter is going to have to go through technicalities. Assuming the person doesn't run their own server, trace it to the host.

I would contact them as soon as possible.

http://www.liquidweb.com/contact/index.htm

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:41 AM

After thinking about this... LiquidWeb isn't going to do anything. The site isn't hosting the files only linking to them. I'm giving them a call anyways though.

**imported_Max** · 07-15-2006, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyanAmos

After thinking about this... LiquidWeb isn't going to do anything. The site isn't hosting the files only linking to them. I'm giving them a call anyways though.

Who is hosting the files?

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:46 AM

RapidShare.

I've already sent them an email requesting it being removed. I contacted liquid web and they are looking into this. If I don't hear anything back from them then I will call them back in an hour.

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:59 AM

Good news, liquidweb suspended the account. I'm assuming they are only looking into this issue now but they are taking instant action.

I'm about to switch my server over to liquidweb just for doing such quick action.:-D

**Tran** · 07-15-2006, 03:21 AM

Lol

What site was it btw?

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 03:22 AM

I personally don't think that should be mentioned. If the site comes back up I'll be going through each page on the site and sending out emails to the software owners. This guy won't last!

**Tran** · 07-15-2006, 03:24 AM

What software was it ?

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 03:29 AM

The one in my signature.

**imported_mill** · 07-15-2006, 04:24 AM

I tell you what Ryan, your handling this like a champ. I would be so pissed and fuming that I couldnt contain myself. As long as you have proof of the rights to it, then your golden, I read an article somewhere where a couple of people in NY just got 40 yrs without the possibility of early release due to the fact they stole someones software and sold it. They got charged with Interstate Pirating or something. The funny thing was that most of their customers were on the west coast so the Feds counted every state in between ca and ny... OUCH.

Serves the fukrs right,, go track em down and find out how many sites or copies they sold and tell them you want full payment for each copy they distributed without permission. I am sure since you wrote the software you know the footprints , just search and seek and destroy.

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 02:08 PM

They aren't actually selling it but only taking donations for offering it for free download. I wake up today and the site is back up. Now it's time to get dirty.

**rex_b** · 07-15-2006, 02:37 PM

Heh, tell us the site. I'm sure we could send some harm their way.. MUAHAHA

**Tran** · 07-15-2006, 05:24 PM

I just want to know the website..

**Jarrid** · 07-15-2006, 05:46 PM

I hate to be the one to say this. But I'm sure your software is being distributed through the web right now. It's probably all over warez boards now....

**RyanAmos** · 07-15-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrid

I hate to be the one to say this. But I'm sure your software is being distributed through the web right now. It's probably all over warez boards now....

Why do you assume my software is being distributed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave

I just want to know the website..

I'm not going to support warez or pirated software, so I will not support this website nor will I give out the site.

If you are a creator of software feel free to PM me and I may be able to share with you the site and if your software is being pirated as well.

**RyanAmos** · 07-16-2006, 12:21 AM

Just got an email from another customer about another site.

This has pushed me over the edge and now I've decided to go with encoding my software.