I got a shock when I searched the BOI for "Bearded Pets", and saw that so many people have been on the receiving end of these guys' scams... and yet "Bearded Pets" are carrying on doing what they do best, simply because THEY CAN!
Kingsnake.com feel they cannot back me up because a virtually 99% copy of my ad is not "100%" ... I guess it is a case of 'Spot The Difference', not
'Spot The Oh-So-Obvious-Similarities'!!
"Copyright violation" appeared to be KS' only stance for any argument against taking action to ban them or even just to delete the offending ad.
So why is it that the majority of copyright notices cover 'reproduction in whole AND in part/portion, etc."??
I would say without any doubt or hesitation whatsoever, that the opening paragraphs (of my work/ad) were copied in MOST PREDOMINENT PART!!!
Here's what they say WILL make a difference to their policy of dealing with "Bearded Pets" once and for all:
-----------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: phclassifieds
To: ALDABRAS
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 4:16 AM
Subject: Re: Abuse Submission from Tortoises on the Kingsnake.com Classifieds
Dear Ms. Mason,
I have been waiting for a reply from our legal department. I now have it and am writing to you about it. Unfortunately, because he did not use use your ad 100%, there is can be no claim against him. Copyright violations is not an exact law, and very difficult to prove.
Because of legal issues, we will not take action against an advertiser unless a complaint is filed with the IFCC, which is the Internet Fraud and Control Center. This is a branch of the FBI. Until someone does this, it is just one persons word against another. We have repeatedly asked people who have complained about this company to file a report with the IFCC and NO one has. I personally have sent a number of emails to the people asking for help to stop fraud, but I receive no answers to my pleas.
As you state below, "As long as no one does anything about it", this goes two ways. Without legal backing, anything anyone says is considered slander, anything anyone writes is considered libel. If none of the people who have complained are unwilling to do anything about it, then nothing will be done. All they have to do is file their complaint with the IFCC at
http://www.ifccfbi.gov, then forward the reply from the IFCC to us. When this is done, action will be taken per our Terms of Service. Please urge those others to do this.
--
Classifieds Coordinator
phclassifieds@pethobbyist.com
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So there you have it...
I now call upon everyone to PLEASE file your complaints to IFCC - this seems like the only way KS will do something about them!
Since KS appears to be pretty much the #1 hot spot where reptile enthusiasts go to buy & sell, "Bearded Pets" should be denied of such an advantageous platform for their 'performances'. They are hurting people, being disrespectful, and have no ethics.
IF YOU HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THEM HERE ON BOI, (or had an unfortunate experience that you did not post here), THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND GET THEM WHERE IT MAY HURT: (hopefully) kicked off their #1 selling site!
... Otherwise, (sadly) ~ just expect to see more complaints about "Bearded Pets" right here on BOI.
Just thinking about their prices advertised for "Aldabra tortoises" makes me shudder, and anxious, for the potential victims. I could list a number of things that make their ads completely transparent. Unfortunately, eager buyers are likely to overlook the obvious if not well-researched (or experienced) about this species beforehand.
Here's the email address again for KS, (to send your IFCC response):
Classifieds Coordinator
phclassifieds@pethobbyist.com
Please post back here, if you have any news/updates from IFCC or KS...
Thanks in advance,
Allison Mason