(nt)

Zygote hasn't publically announced anything yet concerning this, but it seems like a good time to do so. First, let me collectively thank you as a community for your concern about this issue. (It's nice to see someone besides ourselves worried about data piracy.) Zygote has contacted this individual both anonomously, for proof that he was indeed willing to sell these meshes, and officially, to give him an ultimatum in both English and Spanish. We are giving him time to respond right now. Zygote did let him know that we'd be contacting him again anonomously, and this time we would attempt to purchase from him. If he takes the money, then we will have enough evidence to bring a suit against him. (Though, of course, we'd like to avoid this if possible.) We also told him that we figured other members of the Poser community would also be sending him bogus inquiries about purchasing, and that he would not be able to trust any potential customers again. If any of you do receive emails from him that indicate a willingness to sell specific pirated models, please forward your correspondence to us here at Zygote so that we can use it for evidence, should it become necessary. Thanks again. I'll post back later to let you know what happens. -Chad Smith Zygote Media Group

Thanks for the update Chad

There now all the arguements can stop right? :) All the pretty sites can stay up and no one has to complain, just let Zygot deal with the moron :P -Phoenix

Thank you Chad for the response. FastTraxx

I hope that any of the announced measures about closing down Poser prop sites are now superfluous. Thanks, Zygote for restoring the security in this community!

Hi all, I wasn't arround for a while (Pasover - Pesah - Holiday in Israel). Can some one tell me what's going on - is there a thief in Zygote or what? I'm confused (AS always) But to be sure I need some one to Explane me What Should I do or Not do in case I'll see somthing (If I see). Please some one E-Mail me with the details. My E-Mail is: aria_gu@netvision.net.il Regards, Arye Guetta Happy "Kosher" Posing

WOW! zygote wants him to stop selling the meshes, or they will sue? damn, I hope all companies are like that Anyone want to buy a copy of...rifles through his CD's windows98? ummm....alien vs predator? poser4? I figure I can make at least a few bucks before I'm told to stop =) but seriously, I know the courts are the last place you want to end up, but is "stop now and we'll leave you alone" maybe letting him off too easily? SewerRat

"...he would not be able to trust any potential customers again." I really like this part. This is the sort of stuff that works.

SewerRat asked: "but seriously, I know the courts are the last place you want to end up, but is "stop now and we'll leave you alone" maybe letting him off too easily?" Depends. Are you primarily interested in solving the problem or in punishment? I think Zygote has taken a realistic approach to this matter. I'm all for problem solutions but revenge is counter-productive and turns gentle people into embittered husks of themselves.

nono see, this might solve the problem of that particular guy but, say for example I was thinking of selling pirated version of zygot's models.....I now know that for this guy at least, they just want him to stop selling so I could probably be reasonably safe in the knowledge that if I'm caught they will just tell me to stop. I think the possibility of punishment has to be there, it's one of the incentives (besides basic honesty) for us all not to pirate and sell other peoples work. And we all know there are people lacking in basic honesty. I don't know too much about legalities and where revenge starts and "protecting your rights" ends, but I do know that when I was at school the teacher that would give no punishment for not doing the homework rarely had homework done. SewerRat

SewerRat, there is some truth in what you say. Unfortunately, punishment isn't really an effective solution. Society has myriad laws backed up by police yet our prisons are still full of people and there are many more thieves, etc that have simply never been caught. That such laws and the threat of punishment are insufficient in themselves is proven by the mere fact that we have a police force. In this case we have someone who may or, allowing benefit of doubt, may not have realized what they were doing. But he has been warned by the owner of the stolen data, his potential customers have shown they are on to him and he cannot trust that inquiries regarding his "product" are not disguised traps. Effectively, he has already been punished just for the attempt- we do not know that he has actually sold anything yet. Legal punishment will entail a lengthy investment of time and money. Because any lawsuit must cross international boundaries and possibly involve conflicting laws it will be difficult to pursue. And in the end, the plaintiff must prove actual monetary loss before any significant awards may be won, which may or may not ever be received. Regrettably, the most effective protection is constant vigilance. No matter what we will always have something that someone else will try to steal. Basically, threats of punishment keep honest people honest. It doesn't discourage the rest at all- it just makes them more careful.

yeah it just kinda seems wrong that scum like this gets off so lightly =( we really gotta create some poser superheroes to burst out of their computers and KAPOW them =) SewerRat