We don't step into here to rant usually but we really felt we should post this message. It's very sad to know that our latest product the Saphirum clothes can already be found through peer to peer programs. The sad thing is that it was released only the 15th of January. Don't know what people that exchange products such as ours think about us, we suppose they think that selling these items is so fruitful that we can't be hurt by their behaviour. We're not becoming rich selling these stuff, we're only trying to realize a dream, to be able to live doing something we like and enjoy and we always try to do our best and support our product the best we can. Ok, warez do exist but to be asked by people that download our stuff through peer to peer programs if they can use our stuff seem a little too much to us. :( So, at least please don't ask us permission to warez our stuff... :( As Shanim & Siliphiel oF AwFuL SouL

if they actually ask you if they can use it after they download it, say "sure, right after you send us a check for it" who knows, if they're bothering to ask you for permission they might just do it.

Oh ghods...to take and share is bad enough but...that's like putting salt in a wound. Don't worry, As Shanim and Siliphiel, MOST people are still good and honest. You are exceedingly talented, and there will always be people who will be glad to pay for the wonderful products you create!

Sure, most people are good and honest (or we would have stopped doing what we do! hehe). We know that people get stuff "for free" but this time (after working so hard on Saphirum!) it was more sad. We dont want to whine in public, but we feel that sometimes such things should be said! And in this way we want also to express our simpathy to other merchant that have lived the same situation.

I do feel with You, it happened to our Fusion Fx products too. Sad about how people can be.

:( im sure it is happeneing to mine too :( sorry you guys i wish i could help and yes id be glad to pay for your stuff or trade you with mine not steal it i know the hard work you do that just isnt right to happen to you guys to anyone !

You did well to say it. I understand your frustration. Sympathy.Michel

Is there anyway you can somehow give each copy a hidden serial number of sorts so that you could download it yourself from a peer to peer and least see who was the originating buyer and consequently the person responsible for letting people download it from them? (if you know what I mean)

I hate it, as shanim. I really hate it. I wish there was a good solution to stopping it, but I fear there isn't. I'm sometimes tempted to "sneak" a copy of a piece of software onto the 4 systems in our house network, but though I'm tempted, I don't do it. Just last week, my wife stopped using the old shareware version of Windows Commander and purchased an upgrade to Total Commander. I was tempted load it on mine but didn't (keeping the older copy I paid for). People like you are just making ends meet, I suppose, and as you said, doing work that you prefer to do. Hearing about stuff like this makes me want to support buried viruses that wipe out a person's PC when they load it.

That's very unfortunate as shanim. If it makes you feel any better, these warez weenies rarely USE what they download. So many of them just do it for sport... "because it's there." Not that it's right.

You have every right to be upset. :-(

Sorry to hear that some inconsiderate folks have been ripping you off; their behaviour is totally reprehensible. Personally, I buy Poser content from a select group of people because I support their talent, which ensures that Poser continues to develop and grow (the fact that I am crap when it comes to modelling things myself nothwithstanding). Thank you for your wonderful free stuff and superb clothing products for the Millenium women. Please make more stuff for Michael (e.g. sexy, stringy, loincloth, thong-type thingies) and I'll be there filling up the purchase form! Don't let the few bad apples get you down; have a great day! Cheers!

Farside, we'll try that grin kristinf, no way that we know... Thank you everybody for your simpathy, really it's much appreciated! As Shanim & Siliphiel oF AwFuL SouL

As Shanim, with regards to what kristinf said, have a look at Davo's products at BeyondBent, there's a passage of text at the bottom warning that every purchase is traceable to the purchaser, so that if it ends up on P2P servers he knows who did it. Might be worth shooting him an email about it and maybe seeing if you could incorporate it in your products yourself.

I find it particularly upsetting when I hear that it is the MOST GENEROUS vendors who are getting ripped off. As Shanim has given so much in free stuff, for which we are greatful, but somehow I guess the warez folks just don't take that into consideration. I wish we could do more than just give our sympathy.

My husband had an idea! He said to go to Kaza? Not sure of the spelling but he said that is one place people go to steal programs and files...and search for your own stuff. When you find it, you can get the IP address of whomever is sending it out, and send a complaint to their internet provider. Hubby says most providers will close their accounts. Maybe that seems harsh to some, but I think if they are going to do that stuff, well...they deserve it! tialise

Thanx for the advice guys, we'll look into them! As Shanim & Siliphiel

I know how you feel hon...I've been told my textures for Serrge's swimsuits is on WinMX and I only sold 5 of them. Laurie

I made a texture pack for a specific dragon. After one sale it was on the peer to peers. All the items that will be sold from my personal webpage in the future will have individual passwords from a data base that are generated on the fly. It might not stop my items from hitting the peer to peers but I will be able to track them back alot easier.

This makes me so very sad that this is happening, but especially since it is happening to you. You are one of the guiding spirits of 3d with your wonderful whimsical clothing and your awesome creative (free)backgrounds. Many people who can't afford other things, can use the many free ones you have given us and have awesome things to work with. That always amazed me that you were willing to do that. Anyone who would do this thing is a cancer in an otherwise healthy body of users. I just can't say enough how sorry I am. How can anyone enjoy and create something that makes use of stolen, tainted things....I hope you find a solution. There must be one. This has got to be stopped. Linda

I'm kind of surprised that no one has succeded in suing Kazza. Napster was brought down by the recording companies and individual artists, why shouldn't Kazza? One little file may not be reason enough for a lawsuit but a class action should work.

It would also be interesting if merchants shared their customer purchase history to find a common denominator.

AFAIK there are currently 5 different lawsuits in various stages against the different incarnations of Kazaa. One of the problems is that there is a shell game being played by their management. The original owners, (based in the Netherlands) lost a series of lawsuits & were ordered to shut down. They promptly (& in some accounts allegedly :-) sold the company to Sharman Inc. (based in Australia). Sharman then moved Kazaa (at least on paper) to the island of Vanatu, presumedly to remove it from any other jurisdictions.