If some sort of encryption method is used, it would be something I would think that would have to be approved from the author, depending on how restricted the method is, some authors may not want to do it.  I don't think it's something that could be rushed out, it would need severe testing and input from paying customers I would think.  As far as blocking the ability to edit in skin studio, whilst still protecting the authors skin is quite a feat and i'm not sure how well it could be implemented, but in my opinion blocking ability to edit would be a huge issue for people purchasing the skin.  I have several master skins in my collection, most of which i've edited to my personal liking and I just don't think anyone would benefit from taking away that ability.  Someone had mentioned removing the ability to edit graphics from the author but keeping the ability to replace with your own graphics, and while that sounds like a nice alternative, anyone who knows how to use photoshop could just as easily screenshot the theme and recreate the graphic, but it would be annoying to do so and isn't really helping the cause for the author or the customer, so i just don't think it's a viable solution.

Also, regarding the last part of your comment, it's understandable to be upset.  As i said earlier i've been in the position of the author having my work pirated when i was selling themes a few years back, and yes it does suck, you do get upset, but because i've been in this position I now have the understanding that there is really very little that can be done to stop the train that is the internet.  I completely get it, I really do.  So my responses haven't been as much "oh it's useless, just give up" as it is "I've been there, done that, and failed miserably".  I'm not trying to be negative or stop anyone from trying to stop what's being done, i'm simply stating that i've been there and i know that i was stressing myself out with no result when i could have been spending that time catering to the clients i did have, that's all.

And the problem with that Karen is that not many people that do customizing will buy those kind of skins for that reason. Not many people are that proficient with SKS to know how to do that. Experienced skinners maybe...but not your average skin buyer. And editing a skin while being able to see it is hard enough...but to do it blindly would just be to frustrating. Someone may buy one skin like that and then after they discovered how hard it was to edit...they might not buy another. No matter how much I might like an encrypted skin...and there have been some...I would never buy an encrypted skin. Another reason I wouldn't buy an encrypted skin is because of the extra software I might need to use it. That's one reason I don't care for MyColors...I already have WindowBlinds. Now if I wasn't into making all the extras for skins I might.

bubbabyte ...

I mentioned in an early post in the thread that there is a 'potential' way to "have your cake and eat it too" with regards to being able to alter/edit a purchased skin.

The methodology would/could be...

All Master skins are encrypted so as to totally 'prevent' unauthorised use [piracy].

People purchase the skins as usual...and those skins can only function on a legitimate [and I guess - NEW] Windowblinds program.  In that way the Master skin's use is protected by the proggy required to run it.

Now, all that will create issues for those [smaller group] of people who want to alter them for their own peculiar taste [typically skinners themselves - as that's what they are doing].  The solution for them is to contact the skin author...after purchase...and with their 'receipt' request an editable version for direct download [eg. via email].

If at the same time the Master skinner wishes to aid in his IP protection he/she can 'encode' an identity with that editable skin so that 'if' it [the Master skin] escapes into the wild it's source can be traced.

It's a lot of work....and much of it is the responsibility of the Master him/herself but then it is his/her property that is to be protected so they can determine if it is 'worth it' or not themselves...as it's theirs to control.

Meanwhile...many, maybe most Users/Customers are not affected in the slightest.

Now, all of this is simply 'ideas'.  Whether or not it is do-able is up to Stardock and Neil, not me.

Is this a direction skinning [in general] could take?

Possibly.

Is it a direction Commercial skinning SHOULD take?

Probably...

All this talk of IP protection and I see  a skin being ripped right here in the WB gallery(they even put the rip next to the masterskin,AND featured it!)...I hope someone here is planning on protecting Z71.

thankyou soooooo much Neil! you ROCK brother

I really would like to hear the opinion of the true masterskinners like vstyler, essorant, treetog or Mike Byrant about this topic. I think the avalanche vamphotika caused, i think about the frustration of her not well selling skins, is not good for the endusers and will surely not increase the sales for masterskins.

Tim, I'm sure manni's oversight was only that. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that you're a true Master Skinner.... Certainly not in mine! 

Wasn't talking about myself, per se........but the term True Masterskinners? WTH?

All master skinners are true master skinners.

This. I still think that very few master skin customers actually take the time/trouble and have the know-how to modify them. Making it slightly more difficult to do so I don't see affecting a large number of people in a huge way, certainly not enough to offset the benefits.

Some Master Skinners / Skins are better than others.  It would be nice to say that ALL Master Skinners are on the same level, but that is a false statement.  There is NO denying that.

That's just a matter of opinion. They have all earned the title of "master" and in that way, they are equal. Any word, like "true" placed in front of the term "master skinner" is arbitrary.  They are all master skinners.

Look at Mannis Member No and You know where that comes from. We still live in a world of Alexandrie, Treetog and Mike B. and even no more active skinners like Thredz, Hippy and Dangeruss. So bare with him.

We have had that discussion with Audio CDs and Games and at least with audio copy protection disappeared quite fast as it was a pain even for legal consumers. Stardock itself is quite proud of having no copy protection in its games. So now there should be copy protected WBs just to be cracked on a constant base ?

And : If Stardock even hasn't enough manpower to get their normal business done, how should they get a whole new copy-protection going ?

It is  good to hunt for pirate sites to get them down, but I am very sceptical about software-protection in skins.

@warreni

I think the opposit. There isnt one skin i dont modify for my taste or needs and i think a lot of people do the same.

With the level "true" i meant no disrespect to the other masterskinners, but the few i mentioned, you can add danillooc to my list, are producing skins on a much higher level than the other masterskinners and so i think they will make much more money with skinning then others and i never heard an opinion from them to this topic. They certainly will make less money when the skins get encrypted. Why havent we seen any new mycolors themes in month? Maybe because the customers dont buy enough of them, because they cant work with the encrypted graphics, i dont know.

I dont like the way vampothika is looking for.

No.  It's fact.  Yes, they have all earned the title of Master.  But you can't say that all Masters are equal.  That's fanboy talk right there.

I can.

We don't promote people to 'Master' because it was a quiet day and had nothing else to do.

Each 'gets there' when his/her time is right.

If there's a 'difference' at all it's going to be 'age'. An 'old' Master will likely have a more extensive 'portfolio' than a young one.

Might have gathered a greater following over time, too.

Other than that...they're equal...

When I'm finished what I'm saying here I done talking on this thread so reply all you want but I won't respond as it's been hijacked enough and your not worth continuing with.  You have been here since 2001 and am entitled to have your favorite skinners. If you choose not to expand your capabilities into future years and new skinners so be it. A statement and a question was made by Kitty to start this thread after things were tossed about there was a reply on I believe page 6 that she replied back with a thank you and it appears she is sitting back and going to wait to see what happens. I have no idea how you could call her starting an avalanche and what you mean about "I don't like the way vampothika is looking for" have no idea what that pertains to. There is also no way for you to know if any Masters are actually selling skins, but you appear to know Kitty is frustrated because she isn't selling skins. I have never said a mean think in the forums about anyone, so congrads to you as you are a total ass and have no respect for any skinners except for your few. So I'll finish by saying there are many different skinners and types of skinners and they are all of great value to this community and have taught me a lot. Where would this place be if only the skinners around were from 2001. So show some respect for all "manni" or the the hell up.