Checking for CopyBot

WHy does this keep disappearing the protection ball

If this can feed off the info to the client. The client also gets data from scripts. In fact it needs the entire script to operate the object on the client as well as the server. Correct?
So it is only a matter of time before someone feeds from the script data and creates a 3rd party client (since it's open source) that can copy scripts.

My question is.. what kind of buisness sense does this make for LL? Why destroy their own products by making it open source?
People are not going to subscribe after hearing this. LL will loose money.

Do they really think people will want to use this platform after realizing how unsecure it is?
Larger corperations will be the second wave to turn it down.

Where is the logic?

I say rebuild a new client and keep it locked. Do not allow the open source versions to connect.

There is no CopyBot ITEM. It isn't something LL can remove from the database.

It's a 3rd party piece of software that was created by LibSL, and LL has no control over the distribution of the software. There's no way for them to "delete it from the database" because it's not a LSL script or prim.

LibSL has been kind enough to remove this certain creation, so that should help.

But I assume anyone who wants the software can find the software somewhere.

As for what it can do:

It CAN:
Copy prims and attatchments
mimic body shapes and clothing (but not so that anyone can keep it)

It CANNOT:
Steal your inventory
Steal scripts or any other contents of prims

So the only reason to worry is if you've built something that you wish to sell.

Just report it if you ever find someone else selling your stuff.

And please remember, LibSL is not a criminal organization.

Please stop treating them as such.

No. Scripts only run on the server.
Possible but unlikely. There was an actual exploit a while back that let some folks get to script sources, but that was a real security hole and LL plugged it.
This is a result of needing to send all details of an object to be drawn by the client - and someone intercepting it and using the data to rebuild an object via the same protocol that lets us build new things.

CopyBot of course can't be "deleted from their database" because the CopyBot program is not stored on SL Servers... it has to be downloaded from some website. After all the hysteria, I think libSL should not be supported by LL. They were careless with potentially dangerous code and it will probably cost LL millions of $$$.

I have a CS degree, and I've worked on projects that use reverse-engineered protocols. e.g. I used the OSCAR protocol to make a custom AIM C# app.

The protocol that makes CopyBot possible is the same protocol used by the SL Client. LL has taken the approach to support and encourage alternative client applications to connect to their servers... this is a huge departure from a company like Apple, and their iTunes software. iTunes changes the protocol without telling anyone, and changes their authentication on the client with every new release of iTunes.

Sure hackers crack the iTunes software, but Apple definitely doesn't encourage it, and Apple tries their best to fight against it. Otherwise large corporations would abandon iTunes for being insecure. libSL people brag they can break any authentication system etc... but LL could definitely make client-hacks a real pain in the ass to implement by not telling anyone the protocol changes, and randomly querying the client for authentication.

I think that's the route LL should take. Those libSLers should have to whip out Ethereal or some other packet-sniffer and do some real hard work, they shouldn't be given the protocol on a platter after the hysteria they caused with "CopyBot" and "God-Mode."

Anyway, there's already a Scripting API that allows libSLers to create legitimate bots in SL... it's called LSL. 16KB should be enough for anyone, lol.

Oh I see. So we basically need the 5 account limit back so people who use Copy Bot for texture and build theft, then get banned, have a reason to worry when they run out of ID's Instead of just making another ID to infinity.

In any case, it boggles my mind how they couldn't see this stuff happening when just about all of us have been waiting around watching bad go to worse. We just knew this stuff would happen and many expressed that opinion when acounts switched to being free.

I just want to know what LL's plans are and how they see this platform being used for anything. So I can adapt to it. But I get the feeling they don't even know the answer to that.

Well... yes and no.

If you really care to, you can subpoena LL for the info they have on the copier. You can then persue 'em in "RL". It should also be possible to legally force LL into removing the infringing item.

Presonally, I feel that the copiers will (a) be few, (b) keep it for themselves and a few freinds, and (c) be short-llived anyway.

Yeah and I have the lawyer to do it. But I'm not sure it's worth the time and effort. (And money)

Personally any designs I really care about in SL, that actually brings in good sales, I will register a copyright to. But fighting a theft can be far more expensive than estimated sales in the coming months or year. And that's just for one situation.

I think the "Get a copyright" excuse is a lazy copout for LL to throw at us. They know most people don't make enough from SL to even pay for the copyright registration fee.
:edit:
(Almost everyone knows they can help by reverting back to certain methods. It won't rid us of the copy problem, but at least it won't become as easy as every day griefing.)

I'm happy for the DMA option but, in the time I've been here, I have not heard anyone say it actually worked out for them.

Has anyone used it yet?
Since most of the other forums closed I have been out of the loop.

lol
And just to add.. even if it wasn't worth it for me. I'd probably do a lawsuit anyway just to prove the point.

I don't have any products that I feel are worth fighting for currently. But a few, that were about to be released, would definitly be worth going after. Simply because several people put a lot of hard work into them. So a theif would be attempting to taking the work of three people rather than just one.
Maybe that would count as three separate charges.

How to NOT defeat the Copybot :

1. use self Destruction Scripts in you Prims
why ? the Script will not get copied, so it fails

2. spam !quit Messages or other Copybot Commands
why ? it will drive you Customers away
i tried a modified Copybot that doesnt go away if you send !quit,
its very easy to modify the copybot, even without source code

The End of the Copybot ?
I hope the existing Copybot will be incompatible with a future SL Version.

Panic ?
Don't Panic.

How has it been banned?

LL has declared (well, finally admitted, really) its use to be a violation of the TOS.