User Info: AbsoluteSteve AbsoluteSteve 7 years ago #1



Fact 1: I have evidence that CheatCC has stolen at least 100 guides, but I have only (partially) researched the 'Xbox 360' category of CheatCC's website, along with some author names that are well known to me. Works of Bkstunt, Split Infinity, SOng, Krysta(l)84, Kao Megura (rest in peace; we'll fight for you), and even of SBAllen and Devin have been taken by CheatCC without permission, along with many, many other works of other authors. The evidence for the 'Xbox 360' section of CheatCC can be found in my post below.



Fact 2: An even larger amount of guides has been altered to make it look like CheatCC has permission whereas 'GameFAQs' (and some other websites) are removed from guides. This also happens often to guides for which authors have given permission. Not only is this a serious violation of many authors’ terms, it can also make it look like GameFAQs is hosting ‘stolen’ material.



Fact 3: It is extremely time-consuming to check CheatCC for stolen content, and no one has systematically done this for at least half a decade (otherwise, this most definitely would have been brought up here). Besides being time-consuming, it is also rather difficult to initially check whether a guide has been stolen or not because not everyone has lines in their guides such as "This may only be used at x and not at y." The size of the infringement is therefore extremely likely to be much bigger than it appears on first sight (even though that might seem large already).



Fact 4: When a guide is removed, Dave from CheatCC will say that the person who has altered (or infringed the rights of) the guide is no longer working for him. This is a lie; FAQs have been infringed up until fairly recently. It furthermore says on CheatCC itself that he is the one handling submissions (veteran writers know that's true).



Fact 5: Should you succeed in getting your guide removed, CheatCC will (if possible) replace your guide almost immediately with an other guide for the same game. Dave might ask the author (since he has learned that most FAQ writers are ‘nice guys’ who do favors, along with the fact that this is after all legally safer), but don’t be fooled; there’s a fair chance that the FAQ will be stolen anyway if permission is declined. It has happened before and it will almost certainly happen again to some people.



Fact 6: CheatCC 'claims copyright' over anything you submit. ""All cheat codes, hints, tips, etc. sent to us will become the property of Cheat Code Central." Note the 'etc', which could literally mean anything. This entire line is legal nonsense, but it hasn't stopped Dave from suing other websites who 'stole' his cheats. As a result, some of these websites had to shut down due to financial threats.



Fact 7: The owner of CheatCC, David (Dave) Allison, is making thousands of dollars a month (likely even more) by hosting content he often has no permission for. With this money he has hired people to provide the website with legally safe content, such as news stories. As such (and rather ironically), CheatCC is now listed in the critics review list on GameFAQs and Gamerankings.



Fact 8: CheatCC is visited by millions of people every month. The facebook page of CheatCC has 215757 likes, roughly 30 times the amount of GameFAQs' facebook page. CheatCC is ranked 5255 on the internet's most popular websites list according to Alexa. www.facebook.com/absolutesteve I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but the facts don't allow otherwise. CheatCC, the website which some of you might remember as having stolen guides/FAQs and cheats in the past, has done it again, or more adequately put, has never stopping stealing and altering guides. What has changed is our awareness of it. Therefore, first the facts, then the FAQs:I have evidence that CheatCC has stolen at least 100 guides, but I have only (partially) researched the 'Xbox 360' category of CheatCC's website, along with some author names that are well known to me. Works of Bkstunt, Split Infinity, SOng, Krysta(l)84, Kao Megura (rest in peace; we'll fight for you), and even of SBAllen and Devin have been taken by CheatCC without permission, along with many, many other works of other authors. The evidence for the 'Xbox 360' section of CheatCC can be found in my post below.An even larger amount of guides has been altered to make it look like CheatCC has permission whereas 'GameFAQs' (and some other websites) are removed from guides.Not only is this a serious violation of many authors’ terms, it can also make it look like GameFAQs is hosting ‘stolen’ material.It is extremely time-consuming to check CheatCC for stolen content, and no one has systematically done this for at least half a decade (otherwise, this most definitely would have been brought up here). Besides being time-consuming, it is also rather difficult to initially check whether a guide has been stolen or not because not everyone has lines in their guides such as "This may only be used at x and not at y." The size of the infringement is therefore extremely likely to be much bigger than it appears on first sight (even though that might seem large already).When a guide is removed, Dave from CheatCC will say that the person who has altered (or infringed the rights of) the guide is no longer working for him. This is a lie; FAQs have been infringed up until fairly recently. It furthermore says on CheatCC itself that he is the one handling submissions (veteran writers know that's true).Should you succeed in getting your guide removed, CheatCC will (if possible) replace your guide almost immediately with an other guide for the same game. Dave might ask the author (since he has learned that most FAQ writers are ‘nice guys’ who do favors, along with the fact that this is after all legally safer), but don’t be fooled; there’s a fair chance that the FAQ will be stolen anyway if permission is declined. It has happened before and it will almost certainly happen again to some people.CheatCC 'claims copyright' over anything you submit. ""All cheat codes, hints, tips, etc. sent to us will become the property of Cheat Code Central." Note the 'etc', which could literally mean anything. This entire line is legal nonsense, but it hasn't stopped Dave from suing other websites who 'stole' his cheats. As a result, some of these websites had to shut down due to financial threats.The owner of CheatCC, David (Dave) Allison, is making thousands of dollars a month (likely even more) by hosting content he often has no permission for. With this money he has hired people to provide the website with legally safe content, such as news stories. As such (and rather ironically),CheatCC is visited by millions of people every month. The facebook page of CheatCC has 215757 likes, roughly 30 times the amount of GameFAQs' facebook page. CheatCC is ranked 5255 on the internet's most popular websites list according to Alexa.

User Info: AbsoluteSteve AbsoluteSteve (Topic Creator) 7 years ago #2 FAQ 1:"This is terrible. Are there estimates of how many guides are being hosted without permission in total?"



It's difficult to make such an estimate, but based on the amount of guides that were hosted without permission in the 'Xbox 360' section, I would estimate that at least 500 guides have been posted without permission (probably more).



FAQ 2:"Is there anything we can do?"



Yes. This is not the first time CheatCC has hosted FAQs without permission (that's quite an understatement) and now's as good as any time to stop tolerating the actions of this crooked website. Here are a couple of things you can do:



1. Update your legal section of your guides, explicitly stating that your work may only be hosted by [names of websites you trust] and not by CheatCC. Some authors, such as Shotgunnova and Keyblade, wisely already do this. I'll definitely be updating all of my FAQs soon.



2. You could also include a warning for other writers in your legal section, explaining that CheatCC both steals and alters guides without permission and that it's best to stay far away. This also has an informative value.



3. You can search for suspicious guides on CheatCC yourself (but coordinate with others who are also searching). Many authors are very thankful if you notify them that a website has been hosting their FAQ without permission, especially if they hear that it's been going on for a decade and a half.



4. Though all guides are protected by laws (even if they have no explicit legal section), CheatCC is much more likely to steal an FAQ if it has no legal section, and this also makes it much more difficult for readers to find out if it has been stolen. You can advise authors of guides without legal sections to implement it.



5. Do not forget about this, and keep checking CheatCC in a couple of weeks, months, years from now. Don't just check your own work, but also look for other infringed guides (and if you find something, let us know about it on the board; we care).



6. If *you* don't do something, who will? Is every author really *solely* responsible for checking if other websites are hosting their work without permission? Do we really want this still happening in 2017? 2023? We could've asked the same question in 2007, and here we are in 2013.



-------



Besides these questions, I was wondering if Allen/CBS Interactive could do three things?



1. Remove CheatCC from the critic review list.



2. Have someone from the CBSi legal department help us with sorting out this case, not in the least place because of the size of the infringement, but also because some authors can no longer be contacted (Kao Megura and Psycho Penguin, for example, are dead), and also because GameFAQs is being put in a rather dark spotlight due to the fact that thousands of guides have been altered ("This FAQ is only allowed on CheatCC. If you see it anywhere else, it has been stolen").



3. It would be wise if GameFAQs stopped accepting FAQs without basic legal section (it's an update that only takes a minute for writers). From a practical point of view such FAQs (without legal section) are more likely to be taken without permission by CheatCC.



Lastly, the excel sheet with a list of xbox 360 guides for which CheatCC has no permission can be found here (does not include all previously 'well-known' authors' FAQs, but PM me and I'll have them ready): shillatime.org/cheatcc-xbox360.xlsx www.facebook.com/absolutesteve It's difficult to make such an estimate, but based on the amount of guides that were hosted without permission in the 'Xbox 360' section, I would estimate that at least 500 guides have been posted without permission (probably more).Yes. This is not the first time CheatCC has hosted FAQs without permission (that's quite an understatement) and now's as good as any time to stop tolerating the actions of this crooked website. Here are a couple of things you can do:1. Update your legal section of your guides, explicitly stating that your work may only be hosted by [names of websites you trust] and not by CheatCC. Some authors, such as Shotgunnova and Keyblade, wisely already do this. I'll definitely be updating all of my FAQs soon.2. You could also include a warning for other writers in your legal section, explaining that CheatCC both steals and alters guides without permission and that it's best to stay far away. This also has an informative value.3. You can search for suspicious guides on CheatCC yourself (but coordinate with others who are also searching). Many authors are very thankful if you notify them that a website has been hosting their FAQ without permission, especially if they hear that it's been going on for a decade and a half.4. Though all guides are protected by laws (even if they have no explicit legal section), CheatCC is much more likely to steal an FAQ if it has no legal section, and this also makes it much more difficult for readers to find out if it has been stolen. You can advise authors of guides without legal sections to implement it.5. Do not forget about this, and keep checking CheatCC in a couple of weeks, months, years from now. Don't just check your own work, but also look for other infringed guides (and if you find something, let us know about it on the board; we care).6. If *you* don't do something, who will? Is every author really *solely* responsible for checking if other websites are hosting their work without permission? Do we really want this still happening in 2017? 2023? We could've asked the same question in 2007, and here we are in 2013.-------Besides these questions, I was wondering if Allen/CBS Interactive could do three things?1. Remove CheatCC from the critic review list.2. Have someone from the CBSi legal department help us with sorting out this case, not in the least place because of the size of the infringement, but also because some authors can no longer be contacted (Kao Megura and Psycho Penguin, for example, are dead), and also because GameFAQs is being put in a rather dark spotlight due to the fact that thousands of guides have been altered ("This FAQ is only allowed on CheatCC. If you see it anywhere else, it has been stolen").3. It would be wise if GameFAQs stopped accepting FAQs without basic legal section (it's an update that only takes a minute for writers). From a practical point of view such FAQs (without legal section) are more likely to be taken without permission by CheatCC.Lastly, the excel sheet with a list of xbox 360 guides for which CheatCC has no permission can be found here (does not include all previously 'well-known' authors' FAQs, but PM me and I'll have them ready):

User Info: KeyBlade999 KeyBlade999 7 years ago #3 I'm simply listing some examples I've found.



First, cheats.





http://www.gamefaqs.com/3ds/634329-angry-birds-trilogy/cheats

http://www.cheatcc.com/3ds/angrybirdstrilogycheatscodes.html#.UZT8t6IqaSo



Same to me. Even the same typographical errors, such as the "Crate HAter" in Angry Birds - never intended, but blatant proof.



http://www.gamefaqs.com/3ds/997834-star-fox-64-3d/cheats

http://www.cheatcc.com/3ds/starfox643dcheatscodes.html#.UZT9YqIqaSo



Star Fox 64 3D, regarding Main Game Medals.



http://www.gamefaqs.com/ds/661227-pokemon-white-version-2/cheats

http://www.cheatcc.com/ds/pokemonblack2cheatscodes.html#.UZT9tKIqaSo



Odd cross-version changing, but similar wording with Pokedex awards.



http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/643006-pokepark-2-wonders-beyond/cheats

http://www.cheatcc.com/wii/pokepark2wondersbeyondcheatscodes.html#.UZT-jqIqaSo



http://www.gamefaqs.com/ds/997519-kingdom-hearts-recoded/cheats

http://www.cheatcc.com/ds/kingdomheartsrecodedcheatscodes.html#.UZUAaqIqaSo



The Trophies...



I'm really pissed now.





Now, to FAQs...



Perhaps most impressive is this. I used to have a more generic wording scheme, and more provcative, even though I later changed it to the more proper one and updated *every* guide for it. But look at the end here.





http://www.cheatcc.com/ds/sg/kingdom_hearts_recoded.txt

Should this FAQ be located on a site other than CheatCC, Neoseeker, or any

other site I have given permission for usage to, or if this is copied onto

another person's guide without my express permission via e-mail

(SKYDRIFTERS@aol.com), I will see you in court!



© 2011 Daniel Chaviers (AKA KeyBlade999).



I never uploaded it to CheatCC and was never asked - hell, he hasn't even updated it with recent updates. When I used to do those legals, I used "GameFAQs, Neoseeker, etc.", NEVER CheatCC.



Similar instances:



- Wii Fit Plus: http://www.cheatcc.com/wii/sg/wii_fit_plus.txt

- Nintendo 3DS Hardware: http://www.cheatcc.com/3ds/sg/3ds_system.txt



(If you have more from mine, let me know, but these are the only ones I know of. You can compare them with the modernized ones in my CRP.)





http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_3.txt

Although my guides and FAQs can be found at many sites around the internet,

the latest versions of my work can always be found first at CheatCC since

that is my primary contribution site.



I have my doubts. Sorry, RARusk. I didn't find a similar phrase elsewhere in your actual guides stating anything either way, but still...



A similar thing happened with...



- Liberty City Stories - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_liberty_city_stories.txt

- San Andreas - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_san_andreas.txt

- Vice City - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_vice_city.txt

- Vice City Stories - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_vice_city_stories.txt



... and probably more.





This all took me under an hour. Every wound a new opportunity, every curse a new challenge.

I shall encounter defeats... But I will not be defeated. First, cheats.http://www.gamefaqs.com/3ds/634329-angry-birds-trilogy/cheatshttp://www.cheatcc.com/3ds/angrybirdstrilogycheatscodes.html#.UZT8t6IqaSoSame to me. Even the same typographical errors, such as the "Crate HAter" in Angry Birds - never intended, but blatant proof.http://www.gamefaqs.com/3ds/997834-star-fox-64-3d/cheatshttp://www.cheatcc.com/3ds/starfox643dcheatscodes.html#.UZT9YqIqaSoStar Fox 64 3D, regarding Main Game Medals.http://www.gamefaqs.com/ds/661227-pokemon-white-version-2/cheatshttp://www.cheatcc.com/ds/pokemonblack2cheatscodes.html#.UZT9tKIqaSoOdd cross-version changing, but similar wording with Pokedex awards.http://www.gamefaqs.com/wii/643006-pokepark-2-wonders-beyond/cheatshttp://www.cheatcc.com/wii/pokepark2wondersbeyondcheatscodes.html#.UZT-jqIqaSohttp://www.gamefaqs.com/ds/997519-kingdom-hearts-recoded/cheatshttp://www.cheatcc.com/ds/kingdomheartsrecodedcheatscodes.html#.UZUAaqIqaSoThe Trophies...I'm really pissed now.Now, to FAQs...Perhaps most impressive is this. I used to have a more generic wording scheme, and more provcative, even though I later changed it to the more proper one and updated *every* guide for it. But look at the end here.I never uploaded it to CheatCC and was never asked - hell, he hasn't even updated it with recent updates. When I used to do those legals, I used "GameFAQs, Neoseeker, etc.", NEVER CheatCC.Similar instances:- Wii Fit Plus: http://www.cheatcc.com/wii/sg/wii_fit_plus.txt- Nintendo 3DS Hardware: http://www.cheatcc.com/3ds/sg/3ds_system.txt(If you have more from mine, let me know, but these are the only ones I know of. You can compare them with the modernized ones in my CRP.)I have my doubts. Sorry, RARusk. I didn't find a similar phrase elsewhere in your actual guides stating anything either way, but still...A similar thing happened with...- Liberty City Stories - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_liberty_city_stories.txt- San Andreas - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_san_andreas.txt- Vice City - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_vice_city.txt- Vice City Stories - http://www.cheatcc.com/psx2/sg/grand_theft_auto_vice_city_stories.txt... and probably more.This all took me under an hour.

User Info: stahlbaum stahlbaum 7 years ago #4 I don't understand why CheatCC kept Neoseeker in your above example and specifically removed gamefaqs to put in their own site.



Why not just alter it to include CheatCC.



Kind of like they do want to "go to war" and nothing ever happens.

User Info: KeyBlade999 KeyBlade999 7 years ago #5



Somewhere on CheatCC should be some kind of search function - can't remember, and I'm on the "one site at a time" 3DS right now.



I found my three by searching (‹b›on CheatCC‹/b›) for my contributor screenname. That - or your real name or e-mail, if in your FAQs - should work well.



@stahlbaum: It's probably easier to CTRL+H out the source. The first one listed is often one's "hub" of sorts, and the main one people unaware of CheatCC keep track of... Or something akin to that. Every wound a new opportunity, every curse a new challenge.

I shall encounter defeats... But I will not be defeated. A quick way to find your own...Somewhere on CheatCC should be some kind of search function - can't remember, and I'm on the "one site at a time" 3DS right now.I found my three by searching (‹b›on CheatCC‹/b›) for my contributor screenname. That - or your real name or e-mail, if in your FAQs - should work well.@stahlbaum: It's probably easier to CTRL+H out the source. The first one listed is often one's "hub" of sorts, and the main one people unaware of CheatCC keep track of... Or something akin to that.

User Info: super_luigi16 super_luigi16 7 years ago #6



It's worth noting that games where the only guides on GameFAQs are FFAQs do not have counterparts on CheatCC--likely because the person who's stealing the guides cannot adapt the formatting.



This is just...sickening.



We could try to publicize this if CBSi's legal department can't do anything for us. I'm sure places like Reddit, etc, would be receptive to hearing this. Luigi > Mario

Current Project: SimCity FAQ/Strategy Guide | Luigi's Mansion FAQ/Walkthrough http://www.cheatcc.com/ds/pokemonblack2cheatscodes.html#.UZUXEbW1GIUIt's worth noting that games where the only guides on GameFAQs are FFAQs do not have counterparts on CheatCC--likely because the person who's stealing the guides cannot adapt the formatting.This is just...sickening.Wetry to publicize this if CBSi's legal department can't do anything for us. I'm sure places like Reddit, etc, would be receptive to hearing this.

User Info: JohnathanSawyer JohnathanSawyer 7 years ago #7 NAME; it will find ONLY results on the CheatCC domain.



site:cheatcc.com NAME

In the end... No matter what is done... You will wind up... Where you had begun...

Web: http://jfaq.us | FAQs: http://goo.gl/zkvns | FB: http://goo.gl/l36Pf Go to Google and use the following, putting your name in place of; it will find ONLY results on the CheatCC domain.

User Info: doctorofwho doctorofwho 7 years ago #8 I'll destroy that illusion of yours I'll try and get the word out about this to people I know, on FB, twitter and other social media (and my fiancee will do the same). The more people that know about this, the better

User Info: ArdynCaelum ArdynCaelum 7 years ago #9 http://www.techieanalyst.net/index.php?/index

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9346/hellraiseriii3hellonear.jpg I have been helping Steve with this, and going through the PS2 stuff. So co-ordination, I done the 0's-9's and will shortly be working on the A's. Already there is an alarming amount of blatantly stolen stuff in the 0's-9's. indeed CheatCC know EXACTLY what they are doing, as they often alter the parts of the FAQ that say "This may only be hosted on Gamefaqs.com, this must not be hosted on cheatcc" to something along the lines of "This may only be hosted on CheatCC". But yeah back to co-ordination, anyone on here want to help go through the PS2 one, I imagine it is one of the largest libraries there is in terms of alphabet.