The best way I can think of to stop piracy is to implement the broker-call system. The seller, the one creating the themes, calls the broker, Themeforest, in the suspicion of a user stealing the themes. ThemeForest contacts the user for credentials and proof that they have rights to use the theme, i.e. the “receipt”. In this process, keep a database of registered domain’s OK’d by the buyer and register them if they are legit (not registered for some reason). If the user is not allowed to use the theme, file a complaint with the ISP and/or hosting provider on the grounds of piracy. It’s not sure-fire, but it’s better than leaving it alone.

Buy.
ZIP Theme.
Upload 2 Rapishare (or others).
Post Link on Web.

I saw some kind of technique to put a (obfuscated) thing like kbksdfjksfe before the , assign a class to it, make it display:none, and sell it like that. Then google for that in the code for something.

We love the “stay calm” recommendation, loosing your cool never helps !

I have purchased many files off this site and what I look for unfortunately I dont know until after I purchased. So the quality of my former purchases drives whether I am likely to purchase or pirate in the future (sad but true fact especially for less talented developers/designers like myself)

Here is what I find valuable as a consumer purchasing from theme forest

1. Is the psd file easy to work with. Organized in folders and has a clear doc to explain stuff

2. are the descriptions for modifying the html/source clear and concise

3. if there is jquery in the source does the support doc clearly explain how to modify it

4. Does the author respond to the thread for the template

Here is how I think theme forest can contribute to the mission of reducing piracy:

1. provide some sample support doc formats for authors to use

2. provide a library of common descriptions for authors to use in there document (for example, jquery carousel is commonly found in scripts but the author may not want to write a paragraph about using it but if theme forest wrote it once or took it from a well defined example then everyone can copy and paste into their doc)

3. Provide a secured forum for users that purchased a theme so everyone cannot read the threads about modifying the template. I notice many questions in the thread below the template. this is public so anyone (pirates included) that want to modify the template can ask questions and read answers. If the customer only gains full access to viewing the thread if you are a purchaser, then people cant get free help without buying the theme.

I know it is a selling point to show the support for the theme but Perhaps the author of the theme can select if their answer is public or private if private the user must login to view the answer and authentication occurs to verify if the user purchased the theme first.

4. Incentive piracy reporting. perhaps make it clear similar to the “report this file” button located next to themes that you can get this theme for free or a discount if you report copyright infringement and the author or whoever can verify it is true that the file is pirated elsewhere. This will at least leverage the community including pirates to disclose occurrences of piracy usage.

following this logic, Theme Forest should disclose the success of catching pirates. don’t provide links to sites where piracy occurred but brag about how “theme forest has cracked down on the piracy thanks to the community effort”. This will perhaps influence the thinking of future pirates.

Maybe I’m wrong or not but still, It would be a great idea.

I agree with you, there are always going to be people who attempt and do steal your work, this post was just to give people and idea of their options and clear up what works best and what doesn’t.