Another Pakistani company using images without permission

[creagdhubh]

One of my suppliers saw this thread and showed me the email he sent to the company:

Ms Iqra Haroon scotlandproductsonline@gmail.com

I have today spoken to your agent Angus Hoban in the UK regarding Copyrighted products on your web site, I have warned him that if we find that he has sold either on his own behalf or on your behalf, any
products to customers in the UK, we will inform trading standards and issue court proceedings to sue him for copyright infringement. I understand that he will now be resigning as your UK agent.

If you sell any goods to retailers or wholesalers in the UK that are Copyrighted by GM Belt Supplies Ltd (Glen Esk), we will sue that wholesaler or retailer. You can view all our range on our web site www.gmbelt.com which I am sure that you are aware off as you have taken pictures from my web site and used them on your own without permission.

We will be forwarding copies of this email to all our customers around the WORLD warning of the copyright infringements and of the consequences of selling copyrighted products.

Many Thanks

Graham Millington
Managing Director
GM Belt

Nicely done!!!

[Nick the DSM]

Hmm. This escalated quickly.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Good for Graham!

I note that I have not yet received a reply to my initial email to them; however the composite image of me in my Sheriffmuir doublet has now been removed from their web site.

[madmacs]

I still recommend trying the embassy... They tend to frown upon things like counterfeiting... And if you've ever received an unexpected call from an embassy it makes people think (the US embassy called me at work once and the phone was answered by a colleague... )

[AcuteEnigma]

Sorry to see that, Matt. That is disgracefull behavior. :-(

[ABG0819]

I had a thought while reading this thread. While I am glad to see some results and the promise of more, I would like to suggest to Steve and the mods to create a sticky post of companies who use unethical practices and what those practices are. With all of the legitimate and ethical kilt makers and seller that are a part of Xmarks it should not be too difficult to collect the information. Such a list would make it easier for those of us no in the business of kilts to make informed decisions. I consider the people on Xmarks friends and do not want to see them fall victim to unethical business practices and would choose not to support such companies.

[Tobus]

I would like to suggest to Steve and the mods to create a sticky post of companies who use unethical practices and what those practices are.

While that may sound like a very useful thing to have, I could see there being legal issues with it. It's one thing to give members the freedom to talk about their personal experiences with companies, or document fraudulent practices. It's another thing entirely for the forum to have an officially-posted list of companies to avoid, with descriptions of their business practices. That would be a lawsuit waiting to happen (even if it were unsuccessful). Defamation, slander, or whatever might apply.

Probably the best model is for members to simply ask on the forum before placing an order with an unknown company, and let the members chime in with their thoughts. That keeps Steve away from sticky legal issues.

[RockyR]

While that may sound like a very useful thing to have, I could see there being legal issues with it. It's one thing to give members the freedom to talk about their personal experiences with companies, or document fraudulent practices. It's another thing entirely for the forum to have an officially-posted list of companies to avoid, with descriptions of their business practices. That would be a lawsuit waiting to happen (even if it were unsuccessful). Defamation, slander, or whatever might apply.
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Probably the best model is for members to simply ask on the forum before placing an order with an unknown company, and let the members chime in with their thoughts. That keeps Steve away from sticky legal issues.

Or perhaps this... A Sticky thread called "companies to look out for" or something...

In that thread, which is only open for MODS to post in, each post would be a different company who have had nothing but issues. In each post would simply be links to threads where each company is discussed. This way, the owners of the board aren't giving PERSONAL opinions on the company, but just giving a # of links to discussions about that company to relay past experiences of individual customers.

The problem is, most newbies aren't "searching" for any particular company up here, but just trying to gain general info. How many times have we heard the comment (or something like) "If I had only seen this thread earlier, I wouldn't have ordered from XXX". If there were a warning about specific NEGATIVE experiences listed in link form in 1 spot, I could see it as a good tool to newbies that was "right up front" without making them figure out how to search and try to find those threads themselves.

[Tobus]

Good points, Rocky. The most important thing is to give people a useful (and easy-to-use) tool in order to make informed decisions. And it should be based on member experiences or other member input. It should not be content that is created by the forum owner or staff, since that would be construed as an unethical business practice in itself, being that the owner is a competitor to these businesses.

Maybe a member ranking system would be helpful. But useful information has to go beyond just a rank. It must include customer experiences (both good and bad, to be fair), as well as verifiable information about them.

[ABG0819]

Tobus your point is well taken. I would not want to see the forum, Freedom Kilts or Mr Ashton accused of anything unethical. I am not a business person and did not consider that aspect of my suggestions. However I am a consumer intrested in dealing with good hardworking and ethical businesses. Thank you for pointing out what i overlooked.