People ripping people (2nd Round): DVDx versus DVDBackup [Archive]

mpucoder

30th April 2002, 23:54

They're not too bright over at Tucows. Here is the latest reply from them:

Well sometimes we do get a rogue mirror that is out of date. Thanks for
emailing us this info. The URL you sent me is the latest version of what
we have. http://www.tucows.com/mmedia/preview/258197.html

Maybe we don't have the latest version of DVD Back and Copy?

Darrell

Tucows Helpdesk
helpdesk@tucows.com
http://www.tucows.com

This guy missed the boat (and the rest of the email, which stated that Tucows was aware of the license violation and had removed the program)

dividee

1st May 2002, 00:17

I would have emailed Edwin, but he says on his site his email has been disabled because of high (virus) traffic. I don't have any other address to contact him; I'll do so as soon as I can.

Doom9

1st May 2002, 09:35

he's regged on this board but his last visit was in january and he used his disabled email addy to sign up.. so I can't contact him either.

Ookami

22nd May 2002, 16:34

I think we should make a new thread with all the programs (shareware etc.) that use GPL programs! I will make it sticky...

Something like:

DVD back and copy
http://www.tucows.com/mmedia/preview/258197.html
Uses DVDx

And so on.

So we will have a warning for all those newbies.

Thank you for your participation.

Cheers,

Ookie.

mpucoder

22nd May 2002, 17:41

I can't believe Tucows both continues to offer this program, being fully aware of the licensing violation, and that they lied to me about removing it. I sent another email to them, but I think it's time to take more serious action. I have notified the FSF.

dragongodz

27th May 2002, 05:08

taken a while for my clearance to post so sorry i havent posted sooner.

i am one of the helper programmer of DVDx. look in the file mpeg_encodedlg.cpp in DVDx 1.8a source and do a search for dragonogodz, couple of lines added by me :)

anyway i have emailed leo ,the webmaster of topdownloads (the website with backup dvd), and gotten the run around basically. first he says its made by another company for them (which they pay for) and then in the latest it was gooten from www.rentacoder.com . also paid for of course. in the latest email he also claims he has copyright etc because he paid for the source code etc. i have replied that trying to claim copyright on stolen material is illegal aswell. he even tried to claim initially that maybe DVDx was a clone of their software. i pointed out that in his own forums there is a post about the message "DVDx error wnaspi32". also the images in the image drawer (for the guide) are all called DVDx1.jpg etc. i have even offered to send hi the source to compare with what he has. have told him links where DVDx is available for download. finally i told him to do the search for dragongodz in the above mentioned file. the error message alone should have told him something was up. he just seems reluctant to believe anyone (other DVDx users have emailed him aswell). i have simply asked him to remove the webpage and offending program. havent try to claim money or anything like that.

i am waiting to see what he has to say to my last email. if he doesnt do something soon i will have to take more action which helps no one really. unfortunatly Jean Luc is away on one of his long holidays and cant be contacted but i have left several messages about it on his work email.

if all else fails you could very well see DVDx 2.0 be released without source code. that would be a pity since its the availabilty of the source that allowed me to get involved in the first place. no there wont be a DVDx 1.9 since a lot of major things are being done to DVDx that deserves a jump to 2.0.

it is nice to see the support from you guys though and i will let you know if/when i get a reply.

dragongodz

27th May 2002, 06:33

latest news. still no email from leo but go to the backup dvd website www.backupdvd.info , the downloads have been removed but there is a link to a faq/guide. now on tucows its apparently just been upgraded to version 6.7. i d/l the demo and it was still the same DVDx rippoff. the thing is look at the faq/guide page. hmm remind people of another dvd to avi/vcd/svcd program ? they didnt even change the blue with yellow slash for the main window.

for those who may not have worked it out the program being ripped off is Xmpeg. since you cant download from there anymore and tucows have just the same old download i cant confirm they have actually changed to ripping off Xmpeg. but if that is what they are now selling well it speaks volumes doesnt it.

RadicalEd

27th May 2002, 07:47

Lookie lookie what I've found at rentacoder.com...
http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/misc/BidRequests/ShowBidRequest.asp?lngBidRequestId=17003
or if for some reason that dosent work (you know how these wierdo websites work) I copied the source (what ironic terming ^.^) to a new page on angelfire. Of course it dosent have any of the images and the links dont work... but if you cant get to rentacoder, read it here (http://www.angelfire.com/anime3/airanime/ripoff.html)

What a total rip. Looks as though the poor idiots who made 'backupdvd' were the ones who got scammed if they purchased compilations of DVDx for $500-$5,000. I found this one under 'multimedia' on the side menu bar. So... is this the source of the problem??? I think I understand why DVD2SVCD never released his code, and a damn good thing he didn't. How completely ridiculous...

jonny

27th May 2002, 10:43

LOL

World is full of lamers...
I think closed or "limited" open source is the only solution to don't get stoled

avih

27th May 2002, 10:53

damn, the ppl behine dvd-dup are shameless indeed.
this is taken from their main page ( http://www.dup-dvd.com/ )at the bottom:

Warning:
It is against the law to reproduce copyrighted material for the purpose of selling it to third parties. Some countrys' laws only allows for you to make one backup copy of any software or media for personal and archival purposes. By entering this site you acknowledge that you are the sole "Owner" of all DVD copyrighted media that might be duplicated and in no way is DUP-DVD responsible for any violations of copyright enfringement.
.

this is funny, instead of saying (the bold section) that anyone that's entering this site must comply with copyright law (which will prevent them from enter their own site), they made it easy for them for 'reducing' the limitation for entrance only to dvd material. software was 'forgotten' ;)

oh my...

avi

ps.
is there anyone that reads this thread has some relation to dvd-dup? i'm sure a lot of ppl will be glad to hear educated respond, instead of making all these rumours about the way they 'bought' the license or other stuff. official respond will me most welcome.

Ookami

27th May 2002, 11:26

Thank you all for your contribution in this thread!

Dragongodz, it's nice to have you here..

> if all else fails you could very well see DVDx 2.0 be released without source code

This cannot be done! And if it's done DVDx must be rewritten. I was the one who pointed Jean Luc to the GPL, as he didn't knew about it. Remember, he used the sources of many GPL programs so he must GPL his program too.

BTW, Dragongodz, could you please give me a valid e-mail from Jean Luc? I have mailed him to the yahoo.com adrees a few times but it keeps bouncing back!

I would gladly do some beta testing for the upcoming 2.0 version.

These people who change a few lines in freeware programs and then sell it can be beaten with pressure. If people (who know better english than I :) ) write to the shareware portals like Tucows etc. Such programs will have a hard time to live. We could also write to their ISP's etc. So there is no need to abandon good programs because of a few greedy lamers.

All the best,

Mijo.

P.s.: Keep posting all the other stolen programs here, so that we have a list of such programs. Thank you.

dvd2svcd

27th May 2002, 11:49

afaik dup-dvd is not on the blacklist of ripoff programs. dup-dvd is not build from open source. Only problem with dup-dvd is that the quality is really bad imho.

dragongodz

27th May 2002, 13:15

sorry if i didnt make myself quite clear about with out source. what i meant was it could be released without source code, but that would be available through an email request (which is covered in the gpl as i have read it, correct me if i have misundertood it). this would make it possible to see who exactly is getting the source code and if its then ripped off would give a starting point to find out by who. it would be possible to embed something small in each emailed source (that doesnt effect DVDx itself) to identify who the source went to. as i said before i love open source as its what got me involved in DVDx to start with and i would hate to see such measures needing to be implamented.

sorry ookami but i dont want to give out Jean Lucs work email with out his permission. it would be pointless at the moment since he is away. as soon as he is back though i will tell him to get in touch with you. the reason the yahoo email bounces back is because it has a limit which Jean Luc told me (some time ago) is filled in a matter of days if he doesnt check it.

as for beta testing DVDx 2.0, join the queue :)
not much point at the moment as most of the work being done is on the gui and things related to that. Jean Luc said he is going to get into the decoder/encoder sections but that wont be til he gets back (and he didnt say when that would be). so i am only working on the gui for now so there is no speed or quality difference over DVDx 1.8a yet.
oh and yes i emailed tucows aswell. only got an automated reply so far.

RadicalEd

27th May 2002, 17:27

Yup, I've downloaded DUP-DVD previously in order to see whether it was real or not and it looked totally valid. Anyway Bach that may be one reason developers dont release their source, but obviously this is another. Programs developed with the intention of being freeware going around the internet at $500-$5000 to companies being sold to customers for $30 a piece, and on top of that the real developers dont get to see a penny of it. Need I say more?

jj59

27th May 2002, 18:50

Did anybody checkout BHV Mein DVD-Studio; according to Chip 06/2002 page 135, it is also using DVDx as grabber without the P4version.
(On page 204-210 is a workshop for DVDx.)
The site of this program doesn't mention it's using DVDx
http://www.bhv.net/bhv/software/bildvideo_8500_x.html

"Mein DVD Studio besteht aus zwei wertvollen Einzelprogrammen. NeoDVD standard ermöglicht es Ihnen, digitale Filmdateien (entweder von einem digitalen Camcorder oder aus anderen Quellen) zu bearbeiten und in DVD-fähiges Material umzuwandeln.
Mit dem DVD-Grabber können Sie handelsübliche DVDs auslesen und und zu Sicherungszwecken kopieren. Bitte beachten Sie dabei die jeweils gültigen Copyright-Bestimmungen."

especially the last sentence is a "bit" peculiar.

jj

avih

27th May 2002, 22:54

nasty, nasty :(

dragongodz

31st May 2002, 05:53

well finally got another email from leo. ok i had to send another one saying Jean Luc is back and has been informed so he can take further action if he wants. this is what i got back

"Dear Dragonodz ,

We take of the software already and we investigate it also , the maker of the software is Arihant Software
E/2, Nilharsh, Anjali Cross road,Vasna, Ahmedabad, Gujarat India -.380007
Phone :- (91)-(079)-6609497, 2190899 Email :- ashah@arihantsoftwareindia.com

Regards

Leo"
i have emailed back that it is still available from tucows to download and i only got an auto reply from them saying they got my email. i suggested that maybe he should request it be removed from download. i noticed also that cnet has it for download aswell.
another member of the DVDx forum has said he has emailed rentacoder and they will be investigating it aswell.

ookami i have told Jean Luc that you want to talk with him. i warn you that he can be a bit slack in the email department. if he hasnt contacted you in the next week then let me know and i will get on to him. you could try his yahoo email again aswell.

dragongodz

6th June 2002, 04:55

update.

a new version of backup dvd has been released. hmm in a bit over a week they have managed to write a whole new program ? you decide.
lets have a quick look at this new version. hmm new gui true. hmm save dvd by buffering to ram (and hd i asume if you register), slightly different named resize filters but hmm still the same really. hmm is it me or does this look like a new gui for the DVDx routines ? well i emailed leo (of backup dvd) yesterday and told him pretty much what i say above. i also said for him not to bother trying to say otherwise since its obvious that all he is interested in is the money and not other peoples hard work.

goes to show that for all his complaining that he was conned aswell that he is only really sorry to be caught. and even thats not sttopping him.

phrentec

11th June 2002, 18:00

well since labdv.com is charging to register for there site in order to download dvdx it seems that backupdvd.info would be a good alternative mirror site to get the program. and you can always find a keygen anywhere out there.

ChristianHJW

13th June 2002, 14:00

Hmmm .... do we have any official statement from Jean-Luc Pons on this issue ? Anybody thought about the possibility he himself is behind this all ?

This is not ment to be an offense at all, i just find it strange that he doesnt react ( at least it seems to be that way, only a co-coder is complaining ). But, as always, i may be totall wrong here ... my apologies in advance ....

BuGsEy

17th June 2002, 19:44

oops

Ookami

17th June 2002, 23:11

Bravo, Christian! I mean, does Legman gives you conspiracy theory lessons or what?

Tsk,tsk,tsk...

And to apologizing after such a post is just strange and certainly not honest. I apologize if that offends you :D .

Cheers,

Mijo.

Originally posted by ChristianHJW
Hmmm .... do we have any official statement from Jean-Luc Pons on this issue ? Anybody thought about the possibility he himself is behind this all ?

This is not ment to be an offense at all, i just find it strange that he doesnt react ( at least it seems to be that way, only a co-coder is complaining ). But, as always, i may be totall wrong here ... my apologies in advance ....

temsi

20th June 2002, 14:40

Originally posted by RadicalEd
[B]Lookie lookie what I've found at rentacoder.com...
http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/misc/BidRequests/ShowBidRequest.asp?lngBidRequestId=17003

This is total BS. First he mentions free downloads which can do everything he needs (then why does he need this one? oh, to sell as his own, of course...), then he basically invites anyone to rip off open source code when he says:
I have done some research and there is quite a bit of free source code which handles each of these processes. There is open source for decoding the DVD to an .avi and also converting to mpeg. Hopefully these resources can speed development time.

I'm no lawyer, but isn't this an open and shut case? The guy is basically inviting programmers to violate the GPL License for a fee. Perhaps someone should threaten to sue him. :D

dragongodz

25th June 2002, 05:42

well i have been in contact with the "coder" and he says he only used Flask and DVDx as references. so i have asked him to send me some samples of the source code (not all of it just different parts). that was 3 days ago and no reply yet. will let you know if/when he does send anything.

Tatjahna

4th July 2002, 07:28

Originally posted by dragongodz
... so i have asked him to send me some samples of the source code (not all of it just different parts).

You know, it's quite easy to modify some lines of coding just to avoid any further problems. Just beware... If he's "guilty" of this treat, and notice that the things went really wrong for him, I could be really surprise to see that he could let any clues behind him!

But, you know all, I'm not a God, so all I just can say is my own opinion.. But if everything is true, give him a big b*tt shot for me please! :devil: I cannot myself, I have a "feetache" (dunno how to call it in english :( )

dragongodz

4th July 2002, 14:26

yes i know he could of changed the code he sent (and i was expecting him to) but it would have to be some major changes and would still have to work. more than a thief like this could do i hoped. seems i was right. keep reading.

well heres a reply from the "coder"

I am sorry for not replying immediately. Before I got your first email, I have used some Library of DVDX code under GNU license which allows to use the code freely without support. I didn't try to steal the code by any means. Plus, I didn't market it is as a product of myself anytime anywhere. As a programmer, I have just took this project as a different kind of application and I understand you from your email. I apologize for any inconvenience happened to you due to this and I assure that I will not use your code in future. Please let me know if anyway I can help you with.

i emailed back how he is wrong and how his story changed all the time. like 1 minute he only used DVDx as a refernce and then he reverse engineered the gui and now he says he did use some source. i have email Ian at rentacoder a copy because he said i should make a formal complaint to them (so they can remove him). i told him that if the above wasnt an admition of guilt (once you actually read the gnu) then nothing was. if a complaint (plus real name etc) is needed then i will ask Jean Luc to since most of the work putting DVDx together is his.
i also email topdownloads (who sell backup dvd) stating they should remove it as its now been admitted that DVDx source was used. hmm lets see if they do shall we ?

Arky

14th July 2002, 09:15

No programs on sale here, but I am curious as to where the intellectual DVD-2-VCD content has come from, in the following link:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1547931259

Arky ;o)

\AX

16th August 2002, 07:30

Im no lawer but i don't see how i or anyone else that is not involved with dvdx or has bought the fake can sue them or even hassle them.

It would be like knowing who stole someone's hand crafted ice scuplture telling the police that it's being sold at the flea market.

ok it's not the best analogy but i think you understand.

the big threat would actually getting a list of people who bought it, contacting them and telling them they bought something that was stolen and free in the first place. At that point it would be a good case of fraud. Those people could then sue or atleast file suit invidually and at that rate anyone to do with this fake would be pretty much blacklisted for life.

If those people tagged that company for a lawsuit, anyone connected to that company will be envolved. It might be a case of "well i just did it because he did it" or "they just paid me to do the code". Either way they will be envolved and there names will be transmitted to the lawfull authorities.

Pretty much you have here is some pathetic programmers that don't know anything to do with coding digging up newbie guide's to programming and stealing dvdx.

My feeling's is this though. I do not believe that anybody will go to jail or probably even sued, but the poor programmers that worked on it, if they get a suit filed, will never work in the complete world of IT again.

They stuck there neck's out on this one. To loose the job, product and possibly even get sued is small change to having your name pop up in the eye's of a employer or invester everytime they run a check on your work/background history. And if this would hit for even a misdermeanor they could never even bee consider for employeement in IT again. It would be hard getting a job even scrubbing toilet's because the issue of anti-trust would be a huge concern.

To sum up i hope the nearsighted programmers that decide to do this find a way out before it catch's up with them, but hey, if they get 50k off it before they drop, then sucess. 50k is not that much though for risking a black mark on your name...neither is 300k.

Goodbye to the guys who wrote it...i really hope you can make it right before you get pinched. Set the wrong right would only mean to give the money to the writer of dvdx and also stop selling your product. Can you be a REAL person and do the right thing....or hope and pray you can hide. At the very least you probably understand something about how these program's work and could write your own...but do you understand any of it at all??? I hope but probably not.

CruNcher

21st August 2002, 19:29

Arggghh i hate such people they hiding behind laws of other countrys like XXX Dialer and Spamer Operators do (maybe he even has some of this running) and the only interest for them is MONEY what they made with the work of other SMARTER idividuals but such people are existing and if this broke up now he made his money his customers will never see a dime of it. Did you looked up the Registration Information of THIS SCUMs Websites

www.dvdcopy.net

DVD COPY
#18 Liraq street
Manilla, Paranaque Metro Manilla
PH

www.backupdvd.info

Registrant ID:C2181883-LRMS
Registrant Name:LEO VAN OPSTAL
Registrant Street1:Gulod Prinsa
Registrant City:Teresa
Registrant State/Province:Rizal
Registrant Postal Code:1800
Registrant Country:PH

www.topdownloads.net

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
van Opstal, Leo (LV1596) webmaster@PIGEONS.NET
Australian Avian exports
1393 Mt.Mee rd
Mt.Mee, Qld 4521
AU
0061-754982384 (FAX) 0061-754982387

The only thing what Jean Luc can do against this SCUM is everywhere on the internet on Press give out this info what this mister LEO VAN OPSTAL (if its even his real name) is up to and try to bring this to attention if you read this mister OPSTAL you know that many time people like you becoming an answer not always but you only have to get on the wrong people like a Secret Agency Employe (Agent) that doing this work in his funtime (James bond is coding Dvd Backup Software ehh ;) )and you would have a problem soon sure it's not likely but hey this is the Net :P

But all of you can be sure this is a real Criminal who seeks now for victims online

Gunner

27th September 2002, 23:24

Hey, I got an email from a spam company trying to sell a product called DVDCopyPlus4.0. I went to their site http://www.copymydvd.com/dvdcopyplus.htm and looked at what it includes.

None of their software is their own. All they do is give you other peoples software.

SmartRipper
DVDx
VCD Easy/CD-Maker
PowerCDR

Take a look for yourself http://support.321studios.com/faqsupport.asp

dragongodz

12th October 2002, 11:43

well nothing is/can be done with DVDx vs backup dvd sadly. the guy who sold the source to topdownloads says he misunderstood the GPL and was sorry. therefore even though topdownloads didnt stop selling backupdvd when given proof (by me) that it was stolen code they have to be asumed to have been duped in the first place. there actions after being given the information is not so innocent.
what do i mean by that ? i will leave that to the end.
now they say they have a new programmer and arent using the previous code so there is bugger all that can be done really. it is interesting to see that they thank people like Jean Luc and Maven etc in the readme that comes with the new versions though. Jean Luc and i even offered to help them make a version that was not infringing the GPL. now this is the not so innocent bit.
the response i got from mr van opstal ? he wanted my name and address (since i live in Australia aswell). why ? well believe it or not so he could send me a $10000 (thats U.S. dollars) bill. this is what he says he lost in advertising etc because of my posting here and on the Labdv forum about his program. i had to laugh. i told him to go speak to his lawyers since i can not be sued etc for telling the truth for which i still have proof. also to not bother emailing me again because there was no way i was going to help (directly at least) a person like him. havent heard from him again. it was actually tempting to let him try and take me to court as i would have sued him back etc. i do have a family though (including a young child) and i dont think the stresses would have been good for them.
people should remember that when dealing with these types of companies, they are only interested in making money. if they were doing it to help people it would be free (or at most media and postal charges if supplied on cd etc)

dvd2svcd

19th October 2002, 18:45

If you want to say something to the head of 321studios (pro or con)Take a look here:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/8552

dragongodz

20th October 2002, 12:20

thanks dvd2svcd. i just left a reply. its civilised and calm. so it will be interesting to see the response (if any) to it.
have a look and see what you think. :)

sadly the thing with dvdcopyplus is a bit different than backupdvd. dvdcopyplus sold a guide and gave away the software (essentially) which enabled them to skip the GPL. if you follow what i mean. while backup dvd recompiled DVDx with string changes and registration added.

kelproit62

4th March 2003, 20:56

*spam and profanity deleted by the moderator*

Ookami

25th April 2003, 06:34

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51789

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51693

Ookami

30th April 2003, 11:34

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=52004

I found this info on unite-video.com. Look like this is a "remake" (understand rip, plaggia) of DVDx

http://www.cybergame2000.com/free.htm

I took a look quickly so I can't affirm it, but if this is the case, this really sucks...

BlackSun

30th April 2003, 18:38

my bad, I didn't see this topic. You can delete my other topic if you want.

Ookami

7th May 2003, 12:36

As I've made the "Who is Johnny Owl" thread unsticky, you can find it here:

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36144

mrbass

8th May 2003, 19:01

I made a list of 'my recommendations' of dvd software to buy. All are extremely excellent and priced very competitively...see here http://www.mrbass.org

dragongodz

9th May 2003, 05:08

mr.bass@ very disapointed by the list of software on your site. i mean all the ones you comment on. why you ask ?

dvdecho, dvdsqueeze and replicant are both bundled freeware with a guide etc
super dvd ripper and 1st dvd ripper, hmm geez now dont they look familiar ? look at the errors (such as avisetstream dor divx 5.03) plus much more.

if you are trying to point out that the programs are rip offs then that is in no way clear. if so then please state it on your site otherwise uninformed people could take that list seriously.

mrbass

9th May 2003, 05:29

Originally posted by dragongodz

if you are trying to point out that the programs are rip offs then that is in no way clear. if so then please state it on your site otherwise uninformed people could take that list seriously.

Are you serious? I put back the top part to links of guides, etc. back in place. Anyway if people think that's serious then there's really no hope for them and they deserved to get ripped off. See my last link about Jeff K which is a huge tip off. That stuff took me a long time to type up and I made as many spelling errors as I possibly could.

I will add this tidbit something like this.
Never buy any dvd software that doesn't have a demo and show screenshots. Never buy dvd software that only has screenshots without a demo / trial.

Problem with that is even some modified source to dvdx and make it look different so even that doesn't always apply. I guess the best advice is don't even buy software without first check doom9.org forums.