dvdshrink being sold on ebay for $10

[mrbass]

A user emailed me the following:

What I am really meaning to ask you or comment on is an interesting link I came across. I see dvdshrink org's web site links to you as a download. I'm not sure if you know these guys or are in communication with them. I couldn't find an email address for them or I would have emailed them directly.

Any way the link is for an ebay auction that appears to be selling dvdshrink as a dvd copying program for profit. It doesn't clearly say but if you look at the photo's in the ad it clearly resembles dvd shrink version 3.

Now it's not a real big deal to me, I just don't like the idea of someone charging for something that is free. Nor would I like to be the end user buying this and finding out later that it is actually a free program.

Here is a link to a couple auctions ending shortly:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51345&item=3664890713

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51345&item=3664991754

The ebay user is: cbinfo

Let me know what you think, these auctions expire in a few hours to 18 hours. You can look the user up and see that others have purchased this from him/her. I would bet he only does a few at a time before running them again.

Take care, and thanks for the great site, definately looking at some of the freeware programs you have listed.

Jeremy

---------------------------------------------
anyway can someone report this violation. I'm not an ebay user nor ever will be...but you need an account to report it.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/contact_inline/index.html

[MackemX]

http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=cbinfo&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50

he has listed it multiple times :devil:. Has anyone reported it?

I've messaged the 2 guys who have bid for it in the auctions. I've told them to cancel the bids and also where they can get it for free so hopefully this guy won't get anything out of his scam

I've seen it being sold at computer fairs also along with other freeware and questioned a few of the guys doing it. It's interesting to hear their replies but if people will pay for stuff without research then you will always get the cowboys :(

[mpucoder]

It seems he learned from 321Studios (and compares the product to DVDXCopy)
This auction is for the Software's Tutorial Manual. In addition, the manual has a direct link to download the Complete Full Version software free of charge. All content are available for viewing and download. The file size is approx. 1.4 Mb. Very fast download.

So he is selling a guide, and possibly the link, but telling you the software is free (if you can find it).

I'd be pissed, though, if the free download were from my servers.

[MackemX]

missed that part :). It may be from his server as the link may show the site name. The site may contain info that this program has numerous guides

anyway, the 2 guys I messaged now have a 'free' link to download the software and maybe they can find the guides by themselves, hopefully saving them $10 :D

[madmaninc]

Hammer his A**!!!:angry:

[monomer]

It appears this 'thief' has sold at least 22 copies so far (since Feb 29) and for as high as $17... can this guy be stopped??? eBay has a link to an investigating fraud division but since I don't own the rights to the software and I'm certainly not going to purchase a copy just so I can lodge a complaint (besides that would take too long)... some one needs to make DVDShrink aware of this so he can do the filing and get this guy to immediately desist in this activity or eBay will pull his auctions... prosecution will then take a lot longer.

[MackemX]

if he is selling guides to the program and not the program itself then I guess it's very much a legitimate auction

if I have a guide for a program that is my own work and wished to sell it then I guess you could. Providing the link to the program is also harmless (only using someone else's server may be an issue) as I'm sure DVDShrink is allowed to be distributed for free so he could use his own server and again he is doing nothing wrong

these people will always take advantage of people if they can I guess but it's nice to point some in the right direction

not exactly the same thing but I recall the 100" TV projector DIY instructions that are on Ebay and people bid for them :)

[monomer]

Originally posted by MackemX
missed that part :). It may be from his server as the link may show the site name. The site may contain info that this program has numerous guides

anyway, the 2 guys I messaged now have a 'free' link to download the software and maybe they can find the guides by themselves, hopefully saving them $10 :D

Those two guys need to file a fraud complaint and then give future victims a heads-up warning thru the feedback they leave behind. The problem is this thief may just open another account with eBay and continue unless DVDShrink files a complaint for legal action.

[MackemX]

this is a funny one and is providing the link harmless?

he is selling the link so is it freely distributed?

is this the same as selling the software and providing the link for free instead?

I guess the best you can do is just warn others about it and as you say maybe these guys can leave feedback to help others

[monomer]

Yes but DVDShrink has expressed his wish that the distribution (mechanism) be free. Also this thief is not calling it DVDShrink but giving it a fake name so the bidders cannot find it on their own and so no one from the DVD backup commmunity would catch-on... no this guy is a thief no matter how you look at it.

It seems I under-estimated the number of sales this guy has really made... looking at his feedback numbers and completed auctions (close but before receiving feedback) and then I found another heading that he was using to sell DVDShrink under the name DVD XXX Copy... he's probably made close to $600 in less than a month (actually since Feb 29!!!!). You listening DVDShrink? MX, how much did you make with your software endeavor?

I just got through e-mailing 10 of this guys victims (bidders) both current and past "winners" with this cut-n-paste:

"This is a freeware program... you are being ripped off by someone who should know better. This free program is called DVDShrink go here and get it: http://www.dvdshrink.org/where.html
then go here to get your guide: http://www.mrbass.org

The true owner and writer of this program has made it expressly clear that his program is to be freely distributed and NOT sold... its his gift to the community. Please make a note of this in your feedback to this 'thief'... or better yet file a fraud complaint with eBay against this guy."

However I just found out eBay limits me to the number of emails I can send in a 24-hour period... there are still another 30 some people left to email... can someone finish what I have started?...



EDIT: and it doesn't help matters in light of the recent '321' court ruling, that this guy is advertising the DeCSS capabilities of Shrink to the general open public... think about it, it might be possible to make the arguement that what this guy is selling is illegal... though it may not 'fly' in a court of law, I'll bet eBay will pull those auctions. Hmmmm, I think I'll report this guy's activities to the fraud division of eBay. Please I would ask that others in our community to do the same... having multiple complaints lodged all within a short time period would 'tell' the eBay's fraud guys this is an important issue and to act NOW!

[papillon]

I am a member of ebay, and it has been reported.

"Topics

Item Number(s):
3664991754 $US US !12201! 121201


Message: Just to bring to your attention.

A member of Ebay, cbinfo, is currently selling Dvd backup software that is copyrighted freeware readily available for download on the net.
This is strictly forbidden by the original software developer as stated in the end user license agreement.
I have enclosed a copy of the user license.


DVD COPY w/ BUILT-IN COPYRIGHT DECRYPTER
Item #'s
3664860972 ,3664898707, 3664989852, 3664990213, 3664990897, and 3664991754

Also the DVD COPY PRO software they are selling, involves copyright infringement of dvd decryption freeware, available for download on the net, which again I believe is in violation of your copyright infringement policy.

Thank You
XXX XXXXXXXX

monomer.... Hopefully I got to the ones you missed :)

[monomer]

Thanks, I've just finish filing a complaint with eBay also... its good to see that activism is not completely dead within our complacent society.

[celtic_druid]

Just forward his info to the MPAA.

[monomer]

We can claim victory (for now)... every one of his auctions has been pulled... thanks to all who participated.

[Pyscrow]

I dont think it is right to do what he is doingand it has been a while since I bothered to read it all, but I thought it was legal to charge for freeware under the normal licence (GPU or what ever it is called!) generally in use, as long as the fee charged was to cover cost of distribution and packaging only? Although in this case being an Auction, the amount he recieves could be anything!

Surely on the prices quoted this bozo can not be making much money if he is mailing people a CD?, hardly worth the effort I would have thought.

[MackemX]

I wonder if he's using ddlooping's flash guides? I wouldn't be surprised

he's only posting in the US and that won't be much compared to what he gets from the auction

@monomer, didn't his auctions just run out of time?

[mrbass]

thanks you guys for your efforts...this numbnut/clown

dvdshrink isn't GPL btw...here's an excerpt of the license agreement (bold is me highlighting a few things)

"THIS FREEWARE IS PROVIDED TO YOU FREE OF CHARGE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES ONLY. OBTAINING A LICENSE TO THIS FREEWARE FROM ANY PARTY OTHER THAN LICENSOR AND/OR PAYING A FEE FOR SUCH LICENSE IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY UNAUTHORIZED THIRD PARTY DISTRIBUTING THIS FREEWARE AND/OR CHARGING A FEE FOR THIS FREEWARE, PLEASE REPORT SUCH VIOLATIONS TO YOUR CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITIES.

DISTRIBUTION ON INTERNET AND CD-ROM

1. The Licensor grants you the right to make this freeware available on an internet site for the purpose of downloading, as long as NO FEE IS CHARGED for said download.

2. The Licensor grants you the royalty-free right to reproduce and distribute this freeware as part of a CD-ROM to be enclosed with the print issue of any magazine, book or printed publication, as long as said CD-ROM and printed publication contain material that would have been distributed regardless of the inclusion of this freeware, and NO EXTRA FEE IS CHARGED for inclusion of this freeware."

[dvdshrink]

Just noticed this thread, looks like you all sorted it out because cbinfo doesn't appear to be selling anymore, thanks guys! :-)

[maa]

I see "deenastolz" bought himself a copy for $12 :rolleyes:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=51345&item=3664890713

[ron spencer]

IT truly amazes me that people are stupid enought to pay for a link. Also suprises me that people want to use 321 Solutions' stuff....duhhh

[MackemX]

http://cgi2.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback&userid=cbinfo

nice comment by lounelson

Seller is charging for a URL to a freeware site!! www.dvdshrink.org BEWARE!!

some of the other comments make sad reading though, totally unware of what's going on

[DK64_MASTER]

So has he stopped selling the free software? Ebay should ban his account and make him refund everything he has sold. Maybe he can charge for a cd and a box, but would that cost more than 5 bucks? I think not.

[monomer]

Originally posted by MackemX
...@monomer, didn't his auctions just run out of time?

MX, I just read your post now... no, this guy had 7 other auctions under two different titles that still had future end dates... the only thing that I'm not sure of is if eBay pulled it or he knew the 'jig' was up and pulled the plug himself.


DK64, the best I can figure is he had the 'stuff' posted at www.usimportcenter.com/dvdcopy/manualp1.html which is now dead. If you read the feedback he got (that's where I got the URL from) the 'winners' were being directed to download it.

Don't you think its rather ironic that the highest bidder in an auction is called a WINNER???... the way I see it, you're not winning anything since you are paying for it, in fact you are just willing to pay more than anyone else is... you only win when you get something for nothing or very little investment... in this case the 'winning' bidders were losers and the thief 'cbinfo' was the winner... we just manage to limit his 'winnings'.

[DK64_MASTER]

Damn, that makes the crime even worse. He was charging money for a URL!! What if Google did that? They'd be richer than Bill Gates!

[monomer]

Uh oh, he's at it again!!!! This time with a new low, low starting bid of $.99 AND he's changed the picture so you can't tell it's DVDShrink but the description is exactly the same.


http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=cbinfo&completed=0&sort=3&since=-1

EDIT: Whoa, I believe I've 'jumped-the-gun' there has been a change...
read the auction detail... very interesting... he's now saying his GUIDE is called DVD Copy Pro and this guide will point you to all the free copy programs on the internet... I believe he's gone legit!

quote "There are hundreds of freewares available on the net. Some are good, some are hard to use, some has very limited features. This auction is for DVD Copy Pro, a Comprehensive Guide to DVD Duplication using combination of existing freeware to produce all the features listed above. They are extremely easy to use and output incredible picture/sound quality. Freewares are free for download and you can download the Full Version directly from the website or the official website, whichever is faster. I have used DVD Copy Pro to backup more than 20 movies with perfect quality. See the screenshot below. DVD Copy Pro is an alternative to duplicating your movies collection without purchasing expensive commercial softwares like DVD X Copy Platinum...etc. It's a great guide and gives you everything you need to duplicate your movie with all the features listed above. If you are not completely satisfied, Your Money will be Refunded, Guarantee! Bidder agrees to follow Copyright laws and regulation regarding duplication of Copyrighted material."

It's official... anyone who wants to offer up a guide to downloading freeware can do so... if this guy makes any money now, I guess we can all do the same and in effect split his future profits... try as he might he just can't win:D

[madmaninc]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2991356362&category=47103

:eek:

[monomer]

Good one... I just checked it out... he's a virgin (hasn't sold one yet). I'm very interested to see if any money can be made this way... what with competition now and eBay's fees and selling @ $.99 to $3.00 a 'pop' and having to now 'fess' that its merely a guide that's actually being sold... my guess is "chump change" only!

In fact, if one of them can clear more than $30 dollars a week, I suggest everyone start their own auctions... now that would definitely drive them out!

[terminator911]

Very WRONG what he is doing but I did enjoy the picture he has on DVDShrink though, I wonder what kind of DVD he was backing up? :D

These guys should instead make a $5 donation and get the software for free and give something back to the programmer(s) for their time and effort!

Cheers!

[Kedirekin]

Except that DVDShrink (the author) does not accept donations, so if they donate anything they're getting ripped off that way too (and yes, this already happened).

[monomer]

I find it very interesting that the 'virgin' actually sold his guide to someone for $8... I swear last night when I look at that auction it said start bid was $3... today it says start bid was $8 and one person did actually bid the $8! It's interesting that that auction's starting date coincided with the ending date (and sale) of 'cbinfo's first rip-off auction.

I figure there's at least 4 ways to deal with these individuals:
1)either be vigilant and warn each bidder and supply them the free URLs before the close of the auction or...
2)actually bid and purchase the guide once and then publish the free URLs in the feedback, which all future bidders are sure to look at or...
3)start an auction using the same key title phrase "DVD Copy" with a buy now of $.01 and in the description actually just supply the free URLs and tell them NOT to use the 'buy now' so the auction will go the full run-time (the purpose of the one cent 'buy now' option is just to make sure they will visit your auction first) or...
4)join 'em... and start a massive number auctions using the same key phase "DVD Copy"... and a buy now of $.01...

If these guys do make any real money over this next week I think I will do the #3 option. Anyone else going to join me? This could be a lot of fun...

[mrbass]

anyone with an ebay account just post dvdshrink.org or doom9.org in the comments
"useless scam guide, download from dvdshrink.org or doom9.org"

[monomer]

mrbass... I have an account at eBay... to the best of my understanding you cannot post a comment (feedback) unless you've either bought or sold and item with that individual. He has now sold 3 copies of his "guide"... one for $8 and two each for $12 at that rate he could be 'taking down' $900 a month, now that's some serious money for doing nothing... just for a "guide" pointing to DVDShrink! What I don't get is why don't these fools who are buying his "guide" just do a Google search before doing an eBay search??? or at least before putting in a bid???

[mrbass]

oh ..ok thanks...I have no clue about ebay and their procedures. Avoid it like a plague. Co-workers constantly are telling me they bought a digital camera only to say how they suddenly are outta stock but still give them high ratings because after 3 weeks they refunded their money. It doesn't suprise me though people buying these guides on ebay cuz I talk to these kinda people on a daily basis and their intellect is..err...whatever.

[MackemX]

mrbass, you could retire selling guides on Ebay and so could ddlooping :)

that guy's still not selling anything but the thing is though, has anyone here bought a book etc to learn how to use a program?, I have

If he made it more clear in the title and the page details that he was selling a guide and providing a link to the program, would it still be 'morally' wrong?. I just don't like people who dupe others, a bit like these 'special offers or prize winners we always hear about. If people read the small print we wouldn't be getting that much crap through our mail box in a day saying you have won this, that and the other. To claim your 'mystery' prize, all you have to do is call up and pay £1.50 a minute to claim your free £0.50p prize! :D

we all know that DVDShrink is quite easy to use but if people are unaware of ddloopings and others guides (or too lazy to search) then if they want to pay for a guide then we can't stop them I suppose :(

[monomer]

Yes MX, but we all know the 'how to operate' guide is not what these guys are selling... its the links to the free downloads. What the bidders are really bidding on are 2 URLs.

BTW, both people selling 'guides' are now 'fessing up front to the actual item for auction is only 'directions to free software'... of course you do have to read a little to find it which I'm sure everyone who bids would do first.

We all know that one of the software programs is DVDShrink but I'm guessing the other one is the older free version of DVDFab (formerly DVDToolbox). I'm surprised others have not tried to get in on the 'action' and cut this guy's profit margin.

[Weezhard]

Nice one papillion, but don't you think the kisses at the end where a bit too much? ;)

Originally posted by papillon
Thank You
XXX XXXXXXXX

[octron2003]

why bothering this guy, let him go, in fact all of you are stealing from the moviecompany's by making illegal copies of dvd's, the only difference here that he is stealing from you, so who's the bad guy ?????, in fact he is a lot smarter than all of you together, i know him, he has about 13 ebay accounts and has sold this item 248 times.

[dragongodz]

octron2003 - a truly ignorant of the facts reply i must say.

first off the movie companies DO get our money, we buy the dvd to start with. now if say disney said they would replace my sons dvds after they have got scratched etc after 6-12 months of him watching them i wouldnt bother. of course thats natural ware and tear. ok so maybe if i could go and buy it again. oh hang on disney only supply titles for a limited time, then you have to wait 8-10 years for a re-release. whos getting gouged here i ask ?

secondly he is not stealing from "us" but from the people who write these programs for free(stealing there work for his own means) and from the poor people who actually get conned in to buying from him. so such fraud is ok with you ? hmm you claim we rip off movie studios even though they do get our money but think its ok for innocent people and programmers to be ripped off ?

"in fact he is a lot smarter than all of you together, i know him"
well that explains you stupid comments doesnt it. sure you arent him ? if you think that idiot is bright for being a scam artist why not go join him as i am sure your type is not welcomed by honest people on here who are actually trying to help others. :angry:

[octron2003]

buying the dvd's, maybe 2% of the people in this forum are buying them, the rest is renting them, making a copy of it, and bringing it back to the video/dvd rental store and the gonna watch it a few weeks later.

buying the dvd's ????????? do you believe in santa also ?????
ps. and no, it's not me, i deal with bigger things.

[dragongodz]

ahhh so you know everbody here and what they do do you ? no ? then you can believe what you want but your statement about 2% is ridiculous and insultive.

since you joined the middle of last year i would have thought you would be able to tell this is a generally freindly video software(use and development) forum and NOT a piratesfest. i guess you have missed the point though. mores the pity for you.

[octron2003]

discussion closed, your reply's are to stupid for word's, only highschool ?????, and, middle of last year, did you miss the other 3 ???

[dragongodz]

"only highschool ?"

hahaha just the type of reply i would expect. answer is no actually. if you bothered to read my reply you would see i have a son. first computers i used were an apple IIe and then bbc micro in high school. that should give you some idea of my age.

but you are right, discussion closed as your statements are just to ignorant to be bothered with.

[octron2003]

so you have a son, nice, but just like the dvd copy's you own, who says it your's (your son a mean)

[papillon]

Weezhard
"Nice one papillion, but don't you think the kisses at the end where a bit too much?"

:D .... Nah, the xxx's maked the spot where we nailed him...

[MackemX]

Originally posted by octron2003
so you have a son, nice, but just like the dvd copy's you own, who says it your's (your son a mean)
Grow up before you get your ass tanned!

personal insults are the lowest of low and I guess your comment just scraped the bottom, my Hero, how impressed I am :rolleyes:

I'd love to see you say something like that in my local pub rather than hiding behind a PC monitor :D

[octron2003]

pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name
:devil:
and, behind a pc monitor, what'i'm supposed to do there, most of the time i'm in front of it (let me explain, behind a monitor you just can't see nothing, yoú have to been in front of it), But if you are behind your monitor, you can't see what youre typing, that explains the stupidity of your replies, oh and about your invitation to your local pub, i'm behind bars for another 7 years, after that i'm just happy to visit you.

[Swede]

@octron2003: Ok, I waited a while for you to calm down since I didn't want to close this, otherwise, interesting thread. But now stikes are handed out and I urge you to calm down or you will get more.

[MackemX]

Originally posted by octron2003
pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name
:devil:
in no way am I pleased to meet you and the less I come across you the better and I guess others will probably think that too

reading most of your posts in this thread has made you look very ignorant and immature and if you had any deceny you would apologise to dragongodz but I doubt you will

everyone has flame wars but there is an art and resorting to family attacks within a few posts just shows how you cannot have a good 'debate' without running out of things to say so you resort to personal insults instead

you will be sitting behind your PC thinking you are looking cool but mate. In fact, it's far from it and just shows how immature and factless you are! :D

I'm hoping I get my point through to you before the others step in

[MackemX]

Originally posted by Swede
@octron2003: Ok, I waited a while for you to calm down since I didn't want to close this, otherwise, interesting thread. But now stikes are handed out and I urge you to calm down or you will get more. beat me too it :)

here comes Big Brother

apologies if I've overstepped the mark but this guy went a bit to far a bit too early and I guess I have a thing about people like that ;)

I'm outta this 'part' of the discussion now :)

[monomer]

Originally posted by octron2003
...i'm behind bars for another 7 years...

Did everyone miss this??? The guy's obviously anti-social, THAT'S WHY HE'S IN PRISON!!!! GET IT????

It's the anti-social nature of this person that leads me to believe he's lying about the 13 eBay accounts.

So octron2003... if you are not lying, prove it... give me just 6 of the eBay account names this supposed "friend" of yours is using. If you can't do that then "kiss off"... there are a lot of other forums where you can go to 'kick up a little dust'... I'm not buying your BS!