Copyright Issues, pirating

[George]

I fear that anyone who lifts and sells recipes from this forum or anywhere else is running very little risk, sadly. The cost of launching an action for copyright infringement in the Crown Court must be seriously HUGE, like tens of thousands of pounds. I doubt if the small claims route includes copyright type theft. Then, even, if you had your day in court, the defence barristers would probably find gaping weaknesses in any claim and the case would probably be thrown out at even greater cost, with defence fees added.

On the other hand, recipes were printed here from The Curry Secret until the publisher registered a complaint, so aren't we (collectively) almost as bad as the eBay sellers?

Is there a case for turning this forum into a members-only group, so only a few dozen people can read the recipes? Members would be invited, based on trust. I don't mean that anyone could join just by paying a fee.

Regards
George

[DARTHPHALL]

I agree George (members only group) the percentage of members who post anything must be incredibly low, What do we think as active members? (is there another Poll looming  ;D).

[laynebritton]

YES
I Totally Agree Come On Stew Lock the Door and Baton down the hatches ;D

All our members hard work shouldn't be taken for granted by one off visits by strangers then posting our recipes on other sites such as the BBC OH No naughty naughty !
Layne

[Yousef]

Hi All,

Unfortunatly that is the essence of the internet, information can be taking and used, and even sold on ebay!

Maybe one day we will look to a members only area.
I have an idea though which will stop people being able to copy and paste....ill look into it

Stew

[Chilli Prawn]

Count me in for a yes on that point Darth/Stew

CP

[George]

Maybe one day we will look to a members only area...I have an idea though which will stop people being able to copy and paste....ill look into it

So a members only area ain't gonna happen any time soon here then! If it will help, I'd be happy to try and set up a separate site and the core group from here could migrate over there, taking their recipes with them if that would help.

If fear that any general control on copy and paste will be the worst of all worlds. I copy and paste from here all the time, for my own use, as a safeguard against the site going down, and to save loads of time searching for recipes which were of interest.

Regards
George

[Yellow Fingers]

The problem, George, is how do you define the core group? And what if one or more of that core group are the same scumbags who are ripping off this site's goodies? I agree with your desire to make it harder for them, but I think the practicalities of implementing any long-term solution make it a near impossibility.

YF

[George]

YF

Good point. You are correct. In reality, I know it's not practical to change much, which is a bit frustrating.  In terms of defining a trusted core group, if I was judge and jury (which I'm not!) it would include all the people on this thread so far, for a start!

You're also correct that trust and treachery are uncertain areas.

Regards
George

[CurryCanuck]

It is very difficult to judge the grey areas on this site when shadows left by both the lurkers and opportunists are ever present ! The format may well have to both change and evolve in order to promote the concept on which this site was initially developed . Unfortunately , there is always some unscrupulous fat bastard out there who is quite willing to sell his first born for profit !

[George]

I should have said that when I copy and paste from this forum, into my own word doc set up for the purpose, it's mostly ideas and comments I'm making a note of, rather than recipes. There are some great ideas but on the forum they tend to be spread here there and everywhere, almost inevitably. So if I make a note of all the best comments/opinions, e.g. on whether to brown or not brown onions, then at some stage I may be able to pull all the comments on each subject together. Whereas here, the comments may be found anywhere, even in the most unlikely category as thoughts develop and a discussion meanders around a bit.

Please don't put a general control on the ability to copy and paste.

Regards
George