KVR Audio

Derek up North · Post by **Derek up North** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:00 pm

I'm in ranting mood (unusual for me, but it happens).

I have, over the last two months, reported to eBay four instances of people clearly selling copies of VSTi software (I won't post the current links here but they're not hard to find and even say "no box, just a CD-R and a .pdf manual" in case you thought you might be buying a legitimate copy) and I've also notified FAST (UK-based industry body - Federation Against Software Theft).

So far absolutely nothing has happened - the sales on eBay have gone through, the individuals involved still have their 100% feedback rating (for hundreds of transactions - these are not "sell one then set up a new id" people).

Do eBay really care that they are acting as a clearing house for anyone with a CD burner and access to the internet or are they really only interested in their fees?

Rant over - I'll go and have a nice cup of tea and a sit down (aside - have a look at www.nicecupofteaandasitdown.com for a real insight into the British way of life as we'd like it to be!).

Regards,

Derek.

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:13 pm

About the only way to get them to take piracy seriously is to contact the copyright holder and get THEM to complain directly to eBay. If they're members of eBay's VERO program they can get fast results. (There's no charge for this program, AFAIK.)

Reports from us civilians are pretty much ignored, either deliberately or because eBay lacks sufficient staff to prevent their auctions being used as aids to profiting by piracy. :-( I don't consider either a valid excuse for the way things go there.

[edit] For insight into how Americans relax with dairy products and frivolous violence, visit The Milk and Cheese Gallery.

And please have a nice non-digestive biscuit with your tea!:-)

liars&ashes · Post by **liars&ashes** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:16 pm

----Ebay gets paid when someone lists something,and then again when someone sells something. You figure out why they don't cancel auctions unless Bill Gates's attorneys comes knocking.

ScarKord · Post by **ScarKord** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:24 pm

Meffy wrote:About the only way to get them to take piracy seriously is to contact the copyright holder and get THEM to complain directly to eBay.

I did just that when I saw someone selling CD-R's of the Acid Loop Libraries...

Sony wrote:Hello Jason,

Thank you for writing and bringing this to our attention. We make an effort to control piracy, as it effects both our company and our legitimate end users. I will forward this information to our legal department for their perusal.

For taking the time to contact Customer Service with this information, I can offer you a special discount on Noise Reduction 2.0.

Sincerely,

Mike S.
Customer Service Assistant

... I didn't take them up on their offer, but thought it was a nice gesture.

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:29 pm

Indeed it was! I've had NR2.0 and 1.0 for years, got a lot of good use out of 'em. :-) Your gesture to them was equally thoughtful and I salute you for it. *sa-LUTE*

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:31 pm

like Meffy said, Ebay has the VERO program to help counteract this problem. Companies can join this free of charge.

Steinberg or Propellerhead or whoever are perfectly capable of going on Ebay and searching for pirates. If they dont care enough to do it why should you?

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:33 pm

Can't speak for anyone else but I do it because they've got a big job and appreciate the help. Some companies ask specifically for people to report violations, and provide a contact. Why bother? It's easy, it helps keep people I like from getting ripped off quite as badly as they otherwise might.

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:36 pm

well sure, that very nice of you and all. Im sure the companies appreciate it very much. I guess Im just of the opinion that if you want to take up a cause there are a lot bigger fish to fry than some moron selling [k]'s on ebay.

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:43 pm

Erm, I do take up bigger causes than this. :-D One can have more than one cause.

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:47 pm

sorry Meffy, no offense intended

ScarKord · Post by **ScarKord** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:49 pm

Meffy wrote:It's easy, it helps keep people I like from getting ripped off quite as badly as they otherwise might.

Which ultimately is good for all of us, 'cos in a round about way, we (i.e. legit users) are also getting ripped off by pirates.

soulkraka wrote: I guess Im just of the opinion that if you want to take up a cause there are a lot bigger fish to fry than some moron selling [k]'s on ebay.

Maybe (Well, definately

)But as Meffy said, it doesn't take a lot of effort to report it.

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:52 pm

ScarKord wrote:
soulkraka wrote: I guess Im just of the opinion that if you want to take up a cause there are a lot bigger fish to fry than some moron selling [k]'s on ebay.
Maybe (Well, definately )But as Meffy said, it doesn't take a lot of effort to report it.

I agree, and thats exactly where the "road splits". I say let Steinberg report it.

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:56 pm

No offense taken, of course. :-) FWIW, Steinberg doesn't get a lot of reports from me (well, I don't look at auctions for their products, heh...)

soulkraka · Post by **soulkraka** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 9:58 pm

dont get me wrong guys, when I see these fuckheads on ebay doin this it annoys me also. If anything I'd report it just to spite them (the "seller")

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 10:03 pm

*nod* I'll readily admit that's a motive too. An outlet for annoyance and frustration.

There once was a warez eBay seller
Whose description was hard on my smeller.
When I emailed, he cursed.
No, my bank won't disburse
Money to such a vile bottom-dweller.

Are eBay serious about fraud prevention??