> Andy, are you serious? This cdearth.com web site looks like a classic SCAM
There are several similar sites around. One had even managed to get on our listing, but was deleted as soon as I was told about them. I agree, it is a scam. while they don't appear to be breaching license terms, they most certainly are breaking other laws, some of which are criminal laws. Unfortunately, at this time all we can do is advise victims to report them to their local Fair Trading/consumer protection authorities (this was don for one site by several European victims, apparently reasonably successfully. There has been a suggestion that we should perhaps place a warning on various pages about sites like this (the German NL project has actually taken that step). Problem there is that we could open ourselves up to defamation proceedings (which in many jurisdictions would be reasonable easily defended on the basis of "qualified privilege"). I'm reluctant to take that risk. > web site. It says NOTHING about having to provide your credit card > information before starting the process of providing personal information > to get those CDs "free". Not to mention the unexplained and illegal charges > that Chris reported. CLEARLY DECEPTIVE! > > I find it disturbing that while you approve distributing OpenOffice in > illegitimate ways, you don't seem to help fight the EBAY evil that uses > your name to suspend sellers of OpenOffice CDs. > > I also find it amusing that a great master work of software like OpenOffice > gets such amateurish legal support. No wonder people continue paying > hundreds of dollars for MICROSOFT OFFICE. At least they know what they are > getting and whom to call when they need answers. > > I think that OpenOffice.org needs to start managing authorizations in a > more professional manner - and go after those distributors who violate the > license (is CDEARTH.COM on your list?) I haven't checked recently, but I don't remember adding a site with that name, so probably no. However, I'll check, and if it is on the list it will be removed. In the next few weeks, the general community will be presented with a proposed trademark policy. The draft is currently being thrashed out, and when it is in a suitable form it is to be thrown open to the general community for discussion. That discussion will result in a final policy, which will make it possible to go after sites like this. So you should keep a watch for it. > > Erika > > > > > ________________________________ > From: Andy Shiels <[email protected]> > To: [email protected]; UTTER PRESS <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 8:02:13 PM > Subject: Re: [cd-rom] Company charging for openoffice > > Dear Chris, > > I have had a look at the website that you quote : www.cdearth.com > and as far as OpenOffice.org are concerned, they do not appear to be > 'breaking any rules'. Under the terms of the GNU Lesser license for > OpenOffice.org anyone may copy and distribute the same. > > It IS permissible to make a charge to cover production & mailing costs etc. > and this does vary. > ------------------------------------------------------------------ The > following is my PERSONAL COMMENT : > > If you look at their write up on the main page,they are stating that they > will give you a copy of OpenOffice, and one other product free as an > incentive to join their software club. As these goods would probably be > sent to you from the USA - or at least 'Offshore' -they appear to be > charging a price that combines production costs and carriage, not 'selling' > them. > > Just at the end of the descriptive paragraph below the 'Get free cd' > button, have you clicked the word Details, and read this? > > I would humbly suggest that you Send them a FINAL reminder that you wish to > cancel, giving them 7 days to respond,and save a copy of the same. > > If you do not hear from them, then print a copy of the 'details' from the > site, along with all other correspondence, and mail this to your credit > card supplier, who should be able to block further payments on your behalf. > --------------------------------------------------------------------------- >--- > > There are plenty of Distributors of OpenOffice.org in the UK (including > myself) who will gladly assist you with supplies if necessary. > > > Regards > > > Andy Shiels -- Alex Fisher Co-Lead, CD-ROM Project OpenOffice.org Marketing Community Contact Australia/New Zealand http://distribution.openoffice.org/cdrom/
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