DOWNLOADS AND BANDWIDTH THEFT, ETC. - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

~Amy~ · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2005

It has unfortunately been reported to myself this evening that a few members of this site are sharing direct links to downloads in the elements area of the gallery. This is not only unethical but it's a downright theft of our bandwidth by hotlinking to them outside our site!

Do these people pay hundreds of dollars to permit users to share their kits and other items on the site? Nope - they just increase our costs by doing the above.

Due to the above we will begin changing how the downloads will be distributed and the access provided to them. We hate to do this; but this area of our site costs a great deal of money to even host and it's a priveledge to many; not to mention those who share them so generously to have their items shared and linked from somewhere they have no idea. They themselves may not want any affiliation with the parties distributing the information.

It truly saddens me a great deal that as freely as we have hosted and provided a place for others to share their work; this type of thing is going on. Completely unethical and not acceptable here at Scrapbook-Bytes.

We appreciate your patience as we work through changing our downloading procedures. Those who have paid subscriber access will receive further updates and priority access when the new download implementation has occurred.

frankcassiesmom · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2005

danib · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2005

~Amy~ · #4 (**permalink**) 11-11-2005

I have opened the downloads again while we work on gettingn them inserted into a new system for downloads.

~Amy~ · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2005

0 TOLERANCE POLICY INTO EFFECT IMMEDIATELY:

seems hotlinking is going STRONG! I have had numerous reports of several members sharing from the PRIVATE download area of the site and this will be addressed... those involved will be banned from the site permanently. We paid over 250.00 in overages in bandwidth again this month and will NO LONGER pay the price of those who are abusing the system.

lovescrappin2 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-18-2005

This really stinks Amy. Have you identified who the thieves are? Send them the bill to pay for their thieving! Are they able to access our kits too from our stores this way? Just curious.

Sorry you have to put up with these unscrupulous people.

Lucy

shelleyrae · #7 (**permalink**) 12-18-2005

What you need to know about Digital Piracy and Hotlinking!
http://scrapbook-bytes.com/cgi-scrip...icle_398.shtml