Hey everyone, I am flattered that some people have went to my MySpace page and complimented me on the review and tutorial on using BlackBerry Video Creator [see thread in here].

However, I am NOT appreciative of two requests I received by BBF Members to send them a copy of the program.

For example:



That's asking me to commit a crime folks.

Your lame excuses to justify why I should send you a copy don't fly. Frankly, I cannot think of any reason to justify sending illegal copies of software.

Bonus Tip: It's only $15 folks. Please buy the program rather than asking me to participate in criminal activity. IMHO this program for the Pearl is worth 20 times more than the $15 purchase price.

Someone came up with the idea for a one-click BB video conversion program and went through the effort to make mencoder "one click." Don't rob that person of his or her efforts.

I have a website that since 1996 many people have stolen content. Most of the thieves stealing my work are well-paid professionals. While I am too busy to do anything about it, I assure you it's very annoying to see people steal one's ideas and work.

Do you want me to call the whambulance?

hahaaaa

Word!

There will always be people who will ask for stuff like that... in the end what are you going to do? You're best off just to ignore it.

A crime? I don't know about that. As I understand it, the developer of that software simply tagged a GUI onto a pre-existing, open-source DOS video-conversion app.

It's like if I downloaded a free song on MP3.com, layered some vocals over it, then sold it as my own. Would the buyer really be wrong to give a copy of that song away? The real creator, after all, gave away HIS work already.

The guy who polished the turd, NOT the creator, is the one who scored the $$$ off of you.

I did, except to post the info in here. I did not respond to the requests nor get into a debate with them.

priceless

I agree!!! This is not copyrighted software. Some guy took FREE software and enhanced it. If anything is a crime, it should be the guy who's trying to sell free software.

I'm not sure that is correct. I have dealt with intellectual property cases in the past.

One can copyright and otherwise protect their work, which in this case is coming up with the programming to make the free mencoder a "one click" operation. The part that is subject to protection is the GUI and one-click programming.

Many software companies do this, as well as in other mediums. There are many programs on the Net that use the free and open source mencoder. Are you saying all those companies [some rather big software producers] don't enjoy intellectual property protection? If so, state your sources.

Another example, one can take a movie that is in the public domain, add artistic changes and the final product is protected by copyright. Just because the final result contains free content does not strip the subsequent creator of copyright protection.

Are you saying that BBVC is free software?

Show me references in support of your statement that "enhancements" are not protected intellectual property.

I guess that means that all those people who sell "enhancements" to the free and open source Firefox browser and e-mail program are committing crimes by selling their wares. You must be on to something because I have not seen any prosecutions for this purported crime.

haha! pwned!

You've got to be kidding me...

why? im not one of those people that runs around on message boards talkin in crazy internet code all day.. but theres a time and place to say something like i did.. san fran got pwned!

as long as you're being sarcastic!

Well, like I said in my Review thread, the program was worth $15 if I did not have to enter DOS code every time I want to convert a video.

In any event, instead of saying something like I got owned [excuse me, you used the super slang term "pwned," which came about because of a typo someone made years ago], how about citing some references to support your implication that anyone can freely copy and give to anyone else computer programs as long as the front or back end of the program contains open source material.

I know $15 is a lot of money to you, but for me that was chump change. In San Francisco that gets one a drink and a half. So even if the $15 was a waste [it was not], I don't think it would merit the label of me being owned, excuse me, pwned.

I guess these guys, who are major sellers of mencoder-based MobileCloneDVD, can't stop you from copying their program and giving it to all your friends? And your position is that their EULA is unenforceable BS?

Are you done??? You sound like my wife!!!!!

*closing thread - this is going nowhere fast as well... Is everyone just in an arguing mood today?*