This is for DanceExpress ---------------------- Registration Service Provided By: Domain Registry Group Inc Contact: support@droa.com Visit: http://www.droa.com/ Domain name: danceexpress-usa.com Registrant Contact: NA NA DanceExpress.Com (NA) NA Fax: 76 Littleton Rd Chelmsford, MA 01824-2625 US Administrative Contact: NA NA DanceExpress.Com (NA) NA Fax: 76 Littleton Rd Chelmsford, MA 01824-2625 US Technical Contact: Dinexcom Corporation Thomas Huggler (thomasc839@aol.com) 555-1212 Fax: 76 Littleton Road Chelmsford, MA 01824-2625 US Billing Contact: NA NA DanceExpress.Com (NA) NA Fax: 76 Littleton Rd Chelmsford, MA 01824-2625 US Status: registrar-lock Name Servers: NS1.HE.NET NS2.HE.NET Creation date: 30 Dec 2001 23:59:25 Expiration date: 30 Dec 2004 23:59:25 The data in this whois database is provided to you for information purposes only, that is, to assist you in obtaining information about or related to a domain name registration record. We make this information available "as is," and do not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a whois query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that, under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes that stress or load this whois database system providing you this information; or (2) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic mail, or by telephone. The compilation, repackaging, dissemination or other use of this data is expressly prohibited without prior written consent from us. The registrar of record is eNom. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms. Version 6.3 4/3/2002 ============================================================ danceexpress-usa.com resolves to IP address 64.62.240.39

========================================= Information from whois.denic.de (Querying "deepdance.de") .de domain are registered in Germany ==================================== deepdance.de descr: Andreas Peine descr: Brueggerfeld 6 descr: D-46514 Schermbeck descr: Germany nserver: ns11.schlund.de nserver: ns12.schlund.de status: connect changed: 20030815 102614 source: DENIC [admin-c] Type: PERSON Name: Andreas Peine Address: Brueggerfeld 6 City: Schermbeck Pcode: 46514 Country: DE Remarks: ACTION NEW Remarks: ID [#6538193/6087953] Changed: 20030404 090910 Source: DENIC [tech-c][zone-c] Type: PERSON Name: Puretec Hostmaster Address: 1&1 Internet AG Address: Erbprinzenstr. 4-12 City: Karlsruhe Pcode: 76133 Country: DE Phone: +49 1908 70700 Fax: +49 1805 001372 Email: hostmaster@puretec.de Remarks: ACTION UPDATE Remarks: ID [#5255780/5105904] Changed: 20020813 115806 Source: DENIC ============================================= deepdance.de resolves to IP address 212.227.118.98 www.deepdance.de resolves to IP address 212.227.118.98 Home page title: "Deep 2003 Trackliste" Server (deepdance.de) responded successfully (179 msecs) ======================================== ====================================== Information from whois.arin.net (Querying "212.227.118.98") ==================================== OrgName: RIPE Network Coordination Centre OrgID: RIPE Address: Singel 258 Address: 1016 AB City: Amsterdam StateProv: PostalCode: Country: NL ReferralServer: whois://whois.ripe.net NetRange: 212.0.0.0 - 212.255.255.255 CIDR: 212.0.0.0/8 NetName: RIPE-NCC-212 NetHandle: NET-212-0-0-0-1 Parent: NetType: Allocated to RIPE NCC NameServer: NS.RIPE.NET NameServer: NS2.NIC.FR NameServer: SUNIC.SUNET.SE NameServer: AUTH03.NS.UU.NET NameServer: SEC1.APNIC.NET NameServer: SEC3.APNIC.NET NameServer: TINNIE.ARIN.NET Comment: These addresses have been further assigned to users in Comment: the RIPE NCC region. Contact information can be found in Comment: the RIPE database at http://www.ripe.net/whois RegDate: 1997-11-14 Updated: 2003-09-19 OrgTechHandle: RIPE-NCC-ARIN OrgTechName: RIPE NCC Hostmaster OrgTechPhone: +31 20 535 4444 OrgTechEmail: search-ripe-ncc-not-arin@ripe.net # ARIN WHOIS database, last updated 2003-11-27 19:15 # Enter ? for additional hints on searching ARIN's WHOIS database. ========================================== 212.227.118.98 resolves to kundenserver.de Server (212.227.118.98) responded successfully (180 msecs)

OK guys, some progress. His CDs are down, and the guys name is Allan Badra, still waiting for some more information about him. I also contacted RIAA yesterday, and pointed them to the page. Just hope theyve had time to check it out, because as it looks, the better part of the cds are illegal. The web is slowly closing in...

Oh, I think that's great progress!

Good going Rochr. I hope you sue the hell outta 'em!! Shall I take off the 2 latest IP address posts I made?

Ardiva,leave them, nothing should be deleted from this thread and someone should save it, another paper trail of sorts.

mmmmm i came in too late i guess... okay things has been said and i like to thank ROCHR for telling me that i too was ripped off not that it happened the first time... some guys are actually using some of my works as book covers here locally ahahahah! but thats okay... were cool... to rochr talent speaks and people see thats y you get ripped off... i only wish that they would understand the labor behind the images is hard and if they want to use they should pay us artist royalties. another bad news rochr, a local tshirt company that makes well tshirts with designs has use 2 or more images that u made. although he or she or they have embedded it with other images i can still see clearly the images that you made.. image 1: your winning rederosity cover image 2: your mecha head... remember? girl with half mecha head too bad i can post a pic. an much worse since you can pursue any lawsuit coz we dont have it here yet... im mean computer image stealing... anyway more power and i do hope nobody rips you off again (an me too)

You have a name on that T-shirt company? I can always send them a message! Other then that, ill see if i can get any more info about this Allan. Theres probably not much i can do, other then to learn from this, and prevent it from happening again. But i will send everything i get to RIAA, and perhaps they can find something out. This sucks, but this has already taken up WAY to much of my time...and yours. :)

Hi Rochr, hi Eyecon, a small update from the webmaster of Meiselsworld.de: he mailed me and asked for permission to show the covers on his page again. I have written him that permission will not be granted, especially because of the copyright violations and the fact that the Deep Dance compilations are illegal bootleg mixes. --- I hope this answer is ok for you. I've done some research on the web. The Deep Dance compilations were once created by a "Dj Deep" in germany. In 2000, after investigations by german police and attorney DJ Deep stopped to release these samplers. They are still being produced by other fans of that mixes, and these mixes are illegal further on. Take Care, Jimi

Thanx a lot man! A good answer! :) Yeah, the only thing that could at least scare those fans, is if RIAA actually bust someone and let them pay a few Mil in fines.

Yes, Rochr, having a little experience in copyright infringement, chances are that you wont get any financial compensation but the defendants will probably get a stiff warning about using copyrighted stuff in the future. This is assuming this goes to litigation. Further, it would more than likely win you financial compensation if you had filed for official copyright and gotten a copyright registration number for the article/articles. This would help you in retaining legal counsel and in the reversing legal expenses to the defendant if they should lose the case. Then, assuming again litigation, you can pursue for royalties and possible damages (suppose the music your covers are associated with are of a negative nature). And chances are that somehow, you must have a legal presence, perhaps not you but someone to legally represent your side, at the trial.

I don't know if anyone has suggested this or not, but have you ever thought about watermarks? I'm not sure how bad it would degrade the picture or if it would even work. Not only is this copyright infringement, but the fact that the pictures are on illegal cds makes it even worse. Talk about tarnishing your name.

Well, ive just changed to tagged images. The thing is, that this solution really sucks, and i cant say i like putting a huge "Rochr" all over the images.

When I went to that one link that had those cds on them, I thought I saw other cds with art covers. I wonder if these were stolen too, and if they were, who do they belong to?

Sorry for being an old dummy here, but what are "tagged images", Rochr?

Quest, Rochr's copyright was never in question. He didn't have to obtain any kind of number in advance. He still can do that now, prior to any possible litigation.

Check Brad Templeton's page on copyright. He's a long-time denizen of the net and he knows what he speaks of.

Rochr, check Copyright Website. They can help you register your work now.

Ardiva, tagged means you put your name across your work. J.

Ok..got the 'tagged' thingy. What would I do without you guys! :-) I guess putting a little sig in a corner of our image isn't going to stop the villians any. But when it's splashed across the width of the image..that'll do it!

Erlik, I didn't say his copyright was ever in question. Having had some of my work stolen and having gone for legal counsel, the information related to me at the time, early 90's (there about) is what I was offering up to Rochr. Although it shouldn't be necessary, people often find that when formalities with paperwork and protocols are followed, especially when monies transfer hands, things sometimes go according to plan.

Ah, sorry, didn't mean that. I was just quibbling with the tense used.

Thanx for the tips! Ill be sure to check those links out Erlik! :)

Attached Link: http://www.penshoppe.com/

Well, Rochr, as for tagging your images, it doesn't spoil my own enjoyment of them. You do what you have to do to protect your interest in your work, and don't worry about the rest of it.