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Stealware: Kazaa et al Stealing Link Commissions
goombah99 writes "We all heard about spyware, well now Kazaa, Morpheus and LimeWire are sneaking a new type of nastiness onto your computer, software that - without you even knowing it - redirects commissions for online purchases you make from other vendors you make back to them. For example, if you buy a CD from an affiliate of Amazon.com, say some charity, the software fools Amazon into crediting the commission to Morpheus, not the charity! The story quotes a LimeWire Developer who admits 'While I agree that this is really a
bit of a scam, it is a way for us to pay salaries while not adversely affecting our users.' The insidious part is the stealware
program remains even if you delete the original P2P software. And you supposedly gave your permission when you clicked through the EULA."
'While I agree that this is really a bit of a scam, it is a way for us to pay salaries while not adversely affecting our users.'
"While I agree that slapping my wife around isn't very nice, it does get me my dinner on time."
"While I agree that insider trading is against SEC rules, how else am I going to get the 2nd Aston-Martin?"
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
In other news, Limewire captures credit card numbers on the fly and charges 1$ for every purchase you make.
"We do think this is stealing, but they are stealing music anyways so it can't be wrong? Plus it pays our salaries."
If it's in an EULA, it must be legal.
I mean for crissakes - EULA is an ACRONYMN!
I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
people with KaZaA actually buy CD's from Amazon??? Hmm... Who knew?
Humor folks, enjoy it. =)
This is my sig. Its pathetic.
"We knew it was wrong," said one vice-president, "but we had to keep the free snacks flowing for the programmers, or else we were screwed. We couldn't stop -- they'd all jump ship."
The executives insisted they had done nothing wrong. "Those kids are sick! What the hell are they getting candy for, anyway?" he asked rhetorically. "We left them instant cous-cous and bean soup. They've got it pretty good, if you ask me."
FSF founder and computer guru Richard Stallman was unavailable for comment. "He's out redirecting CDNow affiliate refferals to pay for his movie rental late charges," said an anonymous source close to the programmer.
Carousel is a lie!
I am shocked--shocked, I say--to hear that Kazaa, a fine purveyor of music-stealing software, would behave in such an unethical manner.
Since this comission theft is apparently legal, I'm going to modify our GL system here at the office to re-code all our product sales as being sold by me, so I get all the commissions. Why should those pesky sales people get any of the money, anyway? If they want money, they should become c++ programmers instead of salesmen.
I agree. I don't feel bad about pirating mp3s and stealing from a bloodless record label, but stealing from charity?!? Lines have to be drawn...
Spread the RC luvin'
There is no honor among thieves...
:)
and bonus points to anyone who pictures the artwork with that caption from the old D&D books (Dungeon Master's Guide?) when they hear that phrase
Come to the University of Mars! Classes starting soon!
"Shoplifting is a victimless crime, like punching someone in the dark."
:)
-- Nelson, The Simpsons
Of course this isn't shoplifting but it's still funny
"A mind is a terrible thing to taste."
Also, we need to remove mute buttons. They enable people to steal TV without viewing the commercials as per the contract.
And friends who hum new songs. They're breaking the encoding of the cd using a psychoacoustic matric, which violates the DMCA.
Oh, and bad reviews! They're stealing money by giving away how dumb so many things are nowadays. Need to put them in prison with the rapists, murderers, bank robbers, jewlery theives and anybody who doesn't like Ashcroft's haircut.
Hey freaks: now you're ju