Providing support without IntegraMOD/phpBB copyright info

[Jacky]

You probably have heard at phpBB.com that they DO NOT provide support for anyone who removes the phpBB copyright info at the footer of their forum.

Well I wonder, since it's an open source product, the copyright info can indeed be removed (that's why phpBB.com only said they will not provide support, but didn't say you MUST have it on the footer). But, leaving some copyright for the developers might be better. Imagine someone taking off your copyright info from your own developed forum, then expect support from you.

The other time, there was someone posting a topic in the IM 1.4.0 support forum requesting support for his forum. I went to his site and he didn't have any copyright info. There are no IntegraMOD and phpBB copyright info there.

OK, after this long talk, here is what I want to ask: Should we (the community) provide support for forums without the copyright info?

[Fubie]

I think it's up to community members to decide for themselves. The team as a whole will most likely not support that site tho.

[Jacky]

I think it's up to community members to decide for themselves. The team as a whole will most likely not support that site tho.

For me, I wouldn't too, but I need suggestions first.

[sanji]

Please keep in mind that there have been lots of hacking attempts lately, and that might be why some people removed the copyrights for the moment...

I myself changed the copyrights, leaving for example the link to integrmod.com (and not integramod.com) but changing the text to "Integra MOD 2" without powered by hoping that just this difference would prevent finding my site too easily when people are just searching potential targets...

Hope this is acceptable, btw...

sanji

[Jacky]

Please keep in mind that there have been lots of hacking attempts lately, and that might be why some people removed the copyrights for the moment...

I myself changed the copyrights, leaving for example the link to integrmod.com (and not integramod.com) but changing the text to "Integra MOD 2" without powered by hoping that just this difference would prevent finding my site too easily when people are just searching potential targets...

Hope this is acceptable, btw...

sanji

Yes, that would still be fine.

The person I was mentioning didn't even leave the phpBB copyright info there. In fact, he removed the whole thing at the footer and replaced with his own text.

[Fubie]

When 141 is released the footer with all of the copywright info is changed so that it cannot be searched for in search engines.

[BMD]

Jacky

I removed the TEXT copyright links and replaced mine with IMAGE links that contain the copyright info.

This beats out the search engines but still allows users to click through to the developer's sites.

[Jacky]

Jacky

I removed the TEXT copyright links and replaced mine with IMAGE links that contain the copyright info.

This beats out the search engines but still allows users to click through to the developer's sites.

The person I was talking about wasn't you...

[computerz]

I have my copyrights in place. It lends a certain legitimacy to the site. Without the "Powered By" text at the bottom it kinda makes the site look un-official and illegitimate. Also I want people to know that I'm not using vBulletin which seems like everybody and their grandma is using.. (do some people care about originality...lol)

BUT

I will say caring about the copyright does come with a price. If you don't adequately support the project, then someone may eventually remove your copyright feeling as if though their site is "not" powered by you, but rather by money they had to spend to go out and hire freelance developers to fix the bugs and make code changes that you wouldn't support.