Simviaton - host many pirated software

[nzpilot]

I read this at http://nzff.org

http://nzff.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=13272

As a long time supporter of Simviation I consider this as a complete insult !!

Jay

[pete]

The author Peter Walker has insisted to all the sites he uploaded to, with photo evidence, that his files are indeed original and not pirated.

Due to the other sites relying on payware for their income they decided, as a matter of caution, to remove his files.

He subsequently posted the files again here. At this time I have no reason to disbelieve him - and indeed if it proves that he is right -- the far greater crime is false accusation.

I have, on several occasions, experienced illegal - even criminal - behaviour from payware FS companies. I'm not accusing this situation of illegality in any way but I certainly don't assume anyone is right until I have evidence.

I'll invite Peter to contribute to this thread.


Simviation never knowingly hosts any pirate files.

[Adamski]

Virgin post, so be gentle

@Jay ... no one's insulting Simviation. There's obviously a question that needs to be resolved regarding the ownership of the files in question. That's a matter for the mods here and the concerned parties.

However - I have to "nail my colours to the mast" here and admit I'm a long time (and active) member of NZFF. Of all the many forums I've belonged to over the years (and that's *many years*) they're probably the friendliest and most balanced bunch of simmers I've "met".

They're generally good humoured and are NOT the sort of people that rake up muck for no reason.

I also have to admit that I've met some of these developers in person, and they're totally straight up people. Neither are they making a fortune out of their work. Honestly - they're just like most of us simmers - but with a tad more programming knowledge

@Pete (the Mod) ... I'm not passing comment on what may or may not have been copied - only to say no one at NZFF is on an anti-Simviation mission.

[ozzy72]

Adamski, we're not making accusations or denying anyone has any responsibility for intellectual copyright. In fact Pete (owner of SimV) has on many occassions removed things at designers requests if copyrighted material has been used. He is probably one of the biggest supporters of developers as he realises that without them our hobby would be in Dodo-land.
That said Jay has come in stamping around in a big pair of boots and hasn't made a shining impression. Your first post shouldn't be so brusque when you don't know the site, the webmaster etc.
A little subtleness can go a long way.
If this is a case of copyright infringement then we will act immediately without hesitation, however some evidence rather than accusation would be of most profound assistance as anyone could come in here and just make accusations. I'm sure what Jay has said is justified and correct but please give us something to work with so we can resolve this matter and bring a happy ending to the issue.

Ozzy72

[WingZ]

I'll chip in here too, if I may.
I'd support "Peter Walker" in a freeware release, if it were a genuine effort, and likely to produce quality work down the line.
The amount of work that would have gone into such a release is remarkable, and would have to be commended.
Alas it seems very likely that it's simply an attempt to destroy a local payware developer.

If successful, that means no more payware releases in similar vein, and certainly no more freeware! (as it's "borrowed")

I'm no scenery designer, but scrolling down the NZFF thread referenced above, it's pretty clear this stuff has been lifted - the guys that do this kind of work can instantly "fingerprint" what they've done.

So from a user's point of view, allowing this work to be published on a mainstream site like Simviation is just killing the goose that lays the golden egg, like any other act of piracy.
That's bad for flight simulation, and ultimately bad for Simviation, too.

In this instance, the damage has probably already been done - a couple of hundred downloads is probably all the "profit" from a niche release like this.

But NZ flightsimming is a close-knit community.
If she releases any further freebies in similar vein, "Peter Walker"

[ozzy72]

Alas these sort of things do happen WingZ. There was an FS site notorious for this sort of behaviour a while back. Some people will do anything for an ego boost.
That said a lot of good freeware developers go down the same path...
You may rest assured that if this is a piracy issue Pete will deal with it appropriately

[Naki]

I am the admin manager at NZFF.

[pete]

Well I have invited 'Peter' to take part. It has been nearly a day now and so far no response.
If it was my scenery I would have jumped in as a priority.

In this light - for now I am taking down the scenery.

If he is prepared again to defend it I will look again at this situation.

[Naki]

Thanks for your attention to this matter. 

[Adamski]

Your first post shouldn't be so brusque when you don't know the site, the webmaster etc.
A little subtleness can go a long way.

Sorry - I didn't mean it to come out that way. Not a good "welcome" message for any forum, I'll agree!

[ozzy72]

I've had some PM's from some of your members and forwarded the information onto Pete. We won't tolerate piracy here!
I for one love a lot of the stuff that has come from your site and have spent a lot of time flying NZ scenery with Bazza and others and hope you will all continue the excellent work.
If 'Peter' fails to come back then I think we can safely say "Busted!"

Best regards,
Ozzy

[Adamski]

Thanks for the kind words, Ozzy. Much appreciated. Let's hope all this crud goes away soon .

[ozzy72]

I just hope we can come to some happy median, satisfaction for all. We can but try.
Some days you can try and push a canoe around, nay worries, next day it is like trying to batter the Ark Royal with a jelly baby.
You can please some of the people some of the time.....

[Fly2e]

Long Live Milford Sound!

[Bazza]

Thanks guys for your help on this.    Considering the nature of this material your chance of spotting the dodgy ones must be almost zero until it's pointed out - especially considering the amount of new stuff that gets added each day.    Keep up the good work.

Bazza (Supporter of this site and NZFF.).   ;D