Alpha India Group closes Forum and Web Site

[Hornets Nest]

Alpha India Group has been forced into what we hope will be temporary closure by the actions of Salvador Gonzalez Velasco, CEO of ICE AI Traffic which has been available in successive versions here http://iceaitraffic.blogspot.com

10 days ago, a post in our forums drew attention to ICE AI Traffic, which used the work of many freeware AI developers without their permission. In over a week of discussion, in which AIG team members have worked hard to resolve the matter, Salvador Gonzalez Velasco has engaged lawyers and repeatedly threatens legal action which could have the effect of denying AIG team members the right to determine where their own work may and may not be distributed. In his latest e-mail, Salvador Gonzalez Velasco has demanded the right to modify AIG work and publish it without giving credit to the original author.

AIG have taken a collective decision to let Salvador Gonzalez Velasco and the community at large see the consequences ignoring our rights will have. Unfortunately, we are unable to release any further flightplans, paints, voicepack files or airports whilst our team members' ownership of the intellectual copyright of their own work is disputed by this individual. If this is not resolved satisfactorily very quickly, we fully intend to have our files removed from Avsim and Flightsim to protect our rights and the product of endless hours of our free time. We regret the disruption for our many supporters and we will restore our web site and forums as soon as this is resolved.

AIG encourages our forum members and other freeware AI supporters to let Salvador Gonzalez Velasco know their views on his blog at http://iceaitraffic.blogspot.com or by e-mail to famgonve@hotmail.com and iceman053@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/AlphaIndiaGroup

[james84]

I'm trying to figure out what happened because I discovered this only today... quite a shame, no other words can describe it. Freeware means "no money" but copyright MUST be respected. I just hope this will be sorted out soon.

[james]

what a bunch of rippoff con artists thse bastards are id be happy to temporarily have aig members in my group till this is resolved or MAIW may be generous and take some in temporarily

Edit: WTF they seem to have ripped off some of my flightplans i posted up on avsim and flightsim also hes stolen one or 2 of my repaints especially my latest one

[jetmax]

So what's to stop this guy from going after WoAI or god forbid MAIW?

[james]

How can he modify the aircraft when he dosnt have the base files the developer of the model has

[Stewart Pearson]

For anyone who may have had their "stuff" stolen by this Mexican bandit;

Just for your future reference, it appears this guy is using Weebly for his website. Their terms and conditions prohibit;

"2.Copyrighted Content: music, movies or games that you do not own the rights to"

They have a copyright infringement notification system which can be got here;


http://www.weebly.com/dmca.php

[james]

someone should scramble the maiw air force to protect the files

[Firebird]

The thing that surprises me most about this is that he has, allegedly, engaged a lawyer for this. Either he is not quite telling the truth, he is a lawyer, works for one or has one for a friend. Nobody would take this on for freeware, there is no money involved.

My gut feeling is that there are no real legal threat here but I understand that AIG has to play it carefully and treat it as real.

If I read the somewhat unrealistic translations because AIG published his name and email address he is asking for three things.
1. The closure of the AIG site.
2. An apology for disclosing his details.
3. Compensation for damage to his reputation.

The second one is my best guess at the translation.

He must have the British Courts mixed up American ones if he thinks he can get any money from this. Whilst being amazed and annoyed by this turn of events if it actually came to a court case it would determine once and for all actual legal rights, as I believe that at the moment they are perceived rather than tested in law.

[Stewart Pearson]

The thing that surprises me most about this is that he has, allegedly, engaged a lawyer for this. Either he is not quite telling the truth, he is a lawyer, works for one or has one for a friend. Nobody would take this on for freeware, there is no money involved.

My gut feeling is that there are no real legal threat here but I understand that AIG has to play it carefully and treat it as real.

If I read the somewhat unrealistic translations because AIG published his name and email address he is asking for three things.
1. The closure of the AIG site.
2. An apology for disclosing his details.
3. Compensation for damage to his reputation.

The second one is my best guess at the translation.

He must have the British Courts mixed up American ones if he thinks he can get any money from this. Whilst being amazed and annoyed by this turn of events if it actually came to a court case it would determine once and for all actual legal rights, as I believe that at the moment they are perceived rather than tested in law.

Yeah and the damn fool doesn't do irony very well. He's complaining about someone publishing his addy, whilst at the same time he's published the contents of an email I sent him...............thankfully I kept to nice language.

On a more serious note, if guys like this can get away with theft, we (independent groups) may as well pack up and let the payware guys have the market.

[james]

why does he target the tiny people like me now he might target maiw next to shut down everyone so hes NO#1 on the scene

[Stewart Pearson]

why does he target the tiny people like me now he might target maiw next to shut down everyone so hes NO#1 on the scene

From what I'm learning at other sites, he's already (apparently) used stuff from AIM, RATS and AIA and there is also word (in the last few minutes) that he may have at least 4 payware sceneries in his "projects".

[ahs06]

If he does somehow win and AIG is forced to close, they could always pull a Valujet and change names. no one will ever know I hope it doesn't come to this, as I enjoy the service they provide for free. This guy is delusional and knows nothing of US copyright laws or common sense.

[Firebird]

I feel very sorry for the guys over there that went through the EvolveAI thing as well,

[james]

someone did this same thing years ago if i rememebr correctly cant remember what it was called

[btaylo24]

These AI freeware packs have been going for ages, there was a bunch of Koreans doing it.. Even had MAIW in it.
Also seen some others in my time..

Only thing that surprises me is his nerve... He is either a lawyer or a fool( in my OWN personal opinion)
Hey maybe both!

[james]

hrs a twat thats not going to get any far with his gungho approach to things

[james]

We understand the case between ICE AI Traffic Group and Alpha India Group we are under a legal notice by law. Please respect the ICE AI Traffic Group we want to be fair and were doing the best we can we are not here to ruin the Flight Simulation Community we come here for the fun about the hobby and the copyright of laws. We want to say a big apology of the developers of AIG and all the work all of you have done to the Flight Simulation Community but apparently we have legal law terms that need to be understand.

Thank You for Understanding,

ICE AI Traffic Group

[tango234]

"Want to be fair"

My foot.

Referring to a post further up, if there are payware sceneries in his package, would it not be a good idea to inform the companies whose work has been nicked?

[Stewart Pearson]

"Want to be fair"

My foot.

Referring to a post further up, if there are payware sceneries in his package, would it not be a good idea to inform the companies whose work has been nicked?

I would anticipate that AIG has that aspect in hand Tom.

[tango234]

I hope they do. Which site was it that that particular bit of news came out on?