Help: Content provider stealing my content

[the26]

Hello fuckers, I need your advice. Awhile back ago I sold one of my games to a content provider, about a month ago they wanted to know if I had any more games, I sent them some to check out--but never heard back from them. I just went to their site today and noticed they had a game of mine for sale that they never purchased. I emailed them this morning and haven't heard back from them. I won't mention who until I give them a chance to respond (could be an innocent mistake) Anyway, what should I do about this?
Thanks

[marzzo]

c'mon, tell us who it is! Don't pull this shit

[freeadultcontent]

No shit post the url. If they are stealing your game they may be stealing other peoples shit as well. Some of us need to find that type of stuff out.

[the26]

I promise I will post it if they don't respond. They have been around for a long time and have alot of visibility. I think they thought I wouldn't notice because I am a very small player and just do this in my spare time at the moment. No need to get angry, if they don't respond-I will let you all know(and everybody else)

[Deathstar]

[Loch]

Sounds very very strange to me.
If they were stupid enough to try and sell stolen stuff why would they have bought from you to begin with?

[flashfreak]

tha'ts why all my games are url protected... no one can steal them, they'll work only on my client's server.

[the26]

I don't know, the first time I dealt with them they were very cool. That was about 8 months ago. Then when they contacted me recently, they said they wanted to see some more games, I sent 2 more and never heard back from them. Then I went to their site today, and poof- there was one of my new games. I really don't know what to make of it. I just want to know if they don't reply to my email, what I can do about it (besides letting everybody know(which is a given)

[flashfreak]

Originally posted by Loch
Sounds very very strange to me.
If they were stupid enough to try and sell stolen stuff why would they have bought from you to begin with?

maybe they didn't know how to steal them... it's not as easy as "right click -> save picture as"

[Loch]

Originally posted by flashfreak

maybe they didn't know how to steal them... it's not as easy as "right click -> save picture as"

Well i wouldent know, we dont sell games "yet" and i really dont know a whole lot about them.

[the26]

I wish I had the know-how and resources to do that flashfreak.

[flashfreak]

Originally posted by the26
I wish I had the know-how and resources to do that flashfreak.

one line of actionscript code... hit me on icq and I'll tell you...

[the26]

Sorry to bump this question again. But, I need to know from those of you with experience with this-Is this something that I should take legal action on or should I just let every one know who stold this content? I am by no means a big time content producer, but my games are very unique and take time to produce(3d animation combined with flash) and I really don't appreciate someone making money off of my work! I know this happens all of the time in this industry, but this is a fairly well known content provider and I thought there were SOME ethics among fellow webmasters

[hyper]

if you have the original files that actually built the .swf
i am sure you can back up your claim and win

[Sambuka]

Originally posted by the26
Sorry to bump this question again. But, I need to know from those of you with experience with this-Is this something that I should take legal action on or should I just let every one know who stold this content? I am by no means a big time content producer, but my games are very unique and take time to produce(3d animation combined with flash) and I really don't appreciate someone making money off of my work! I know this happens all of the time in this industry, but this is a fairly well known content provider and I thought there were SOME ethics among fellow webmasters

Just ask them to take them down which i'm sure they'll be happy to do and get back to work making $$$$.

Sammy

[the26]

Hyper- I have all of the files(including the 3d files used to create the chick)
Sambuka- I emailed them and feel like I should give them 24 hours to give a response, but if I don't get that, I feel the need to do something. Where I am from, you do not do stuff like this. I did the work--if they are going to sell my work--I should get paid. To me, the principal of the matter is more important than forgetting about it and going back to my business.

[LiveDose]

Document, call your lawyer and sue.

[fantasycontent]

hope they didnt sell your games to other webmasters already.

[modF]

who is it already?

[the26]

Alrighty, I gave them over 24 hours and still no response. http://www.sexentertain.com/ these guys stole my game. If you check out the games section they have a game called cyber brothel(this is one they bought from me) and then they have a game called Crab Attack( I called it Sex Shooter-but whatever), they never paid for this game. What should I do? Should I email everywhere they advertise and tell them? Will anybody care? Should I just give the game to everybody for free so no one will want to pay for it from them?

This really pisses me off

[Manga1]

Sue them.

[the26]

Anyone know a good lawyer for this type of thing in Los Angeles?

[SNIPER]

Manga is that you bird?

[AdultGames]

Sounds like that you didn't just offer them the game, but you also sent them the source file. That is almost a no-no in the game business. I hope they paid you well because that source file is your biggest value. That is where all of the time in graphics and scripting goes into the game.

Personally I would probably call them first, and/or e-mail again and bring this to their attention. I would give a responsible time frame for this. If nothing happens then send a certified letter of your intent to seek legal counsel within a specified time frame if they do not reply.

At that point hire the attorney to go after them. I am currently working with an attorney now myself going after a content company that I did custom game content for well over a year ago, but I thought the deal never made it...All of the sudden I see they have the games up on the site....but I never gave them source code, so I don't feel as taken as your situation. Still what is right is right and what is not, is not. You need to take this to the mat or they will do this to others as well.

Also, the line of code that flashfreak talked about works and is very effective, we use similar and other techniques to protect our game content as well......BUT this means nothing since you supplied them with source file.

Good luck with this. Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions that you might now want to post up on the board. We have chatted on e-mail in the past on other topics, so I hope you recall.

webmaster at afterhoursmedia dot com (did that so I don't get spam from spambots that this the boards. )

[Mutt]

dude this is a big company. stop posting on the board, get a lawyer, you have been stolen from if what you are saying is the absolute truth and you need to be paid and they will pay.

A lawyer will send them a C & D letter to stop selling the games. Next step is to ask for damages and DON'T take some piddly ass amount just because you're a little guy in the biz. You have been raped, fucked in the ass, and you deserve a nice payday for that damage to your asshole. Nothing less than a couple of grand. If they refuse, lawsuit. Wilful infringement carries some HEAVY fines. Since these guys have money it's well worth you going ahead with a lawsuit. If they know what's good for them they will settle with you before it goes to court - like all the other thieves in this business do.

[Mutt]

cj over at Oprano says the guy who runs Sexentertain is out of the country with an ill relative so that's why you might not be getting any response to your emails so far.


Are you sure you just sold them the games like you would sell anybody else with a paysite a game? How much did they pay for the two games? Was there ANY discussion with you about buying the games for the purpose of including them in their leased games plugin?

What does your license look like?