I don't have the answer to your question but i do have these:

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxVistaXP windowblind by Kol)

...AND...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxVistaXP msstyle by Kol)

TYCUS ...the issue ALWAYS with OS Ports is that one will [hopefully] always look like another.

It's the nature of the beast.

Determining whose is a 'copy' of what is next to meaningless as ALL are 'copies' of the ORIGINAL....one way or another....

The_Muggar ...since the OWNER of the actual copyright to 'Kol's work' requested he [Kol] remove any and all public access to that skin you are unwittingly/unlawfully providing means of distribution [via links] to that which you have no right/s. 

Wincustomize.com will continue to abide by Microsoft's request/s until such time as this situation changes to the contrary...

I have seen about 50 different versions of the vista skin (Deviant Art). In my opinion everyone of them are the same. Why do people have to duplicate the same vista theme a billion times?

..and btw, if Microsoft see this kind of skins here, they will think that the fault is of Wincustomize becouse of letting users to submit this Vista clones.

(I realy hope that i'm wrong)

So far, the most accurate Vista port that I have found is Vista 2.2 by Jemaho. I am running a dual-boot of Vista 5472 and XP(with Vista2.2 by Jemaho, of course...), and the WB skin makes XP as close to Vista as it has been for a while...(of course i have ports of the Sidebar, screensavers, cursor, explorer.exe, etc.)

I'm afraid that the problem is the same in screenshot category...
Hopefully, we are some screeners, trying to make original shots with OLD XP but Vista looking SS are each day more and more...
It's funny but it seems that the only word "Vista" in the title makes downloads becoming mad . A pity for originality...

this sort of thing CAN'T happen here. i've admired wincustomize for NOT allowing this sort of thing. if more skin submissions is what you want, this is not the way to go about it. by allowing this, wincustomize will quite simply alienate it's established artists. allowing these skins fosters the idea that it is okay to steal/mod someone else's work and post it as your own. if wincustomize is going to sell-out like DA has, i may as well cancell my subscription now.

the double standard by allowing this skin to exist is laughable. obviously there is a reason microsoft requested Kol's work to come down...one would think that the same set of circumstances exist here. just because microsoft hasn't said anything about this item, doesn't make it right. allowing it to exist is setting a piss-poor example for everyone else.

here we go folks, lets make it okay to steal...ummm...i mean "port" everyone's work

Hey The_Muggar, the avatar/personal icon you are using was not posted in another thread by me for you to use.

I have so much vista skins all of them don't work..........

The vista skins for one

Slows my computer and freezes it
Doesn't show transparency in the thingy.......the place where text is like on top of the folder.
And the glow effect on the "x" to close the window is off............way off.

I didn't even bother with this rip as well.

Popularity Whoring 101

Remember Misery's 'TrendWhore' wallpaper?.....

....a classic...

Apparently Tycus you have been away...these vista clones of everything have invaded everywhere.   

the double standard by allowing this skin to exist is laughable. obviously there is a reason microsoft requested Kol's work to come down...one would think that the same set of circumstances exist here. just because microsoft hasn't said anything about this item, doesn't make it right. allowing it to exist is setting a piss-poor example for everyone else. here we go folks, lets make it okay to steal...ummm...i mean "port" everyone's work

 

I totally agree. I thought here at Wincustomize the moral issue behind,ripping, copying,'porting' was paramount. Seek the permission of the owner before you 'port'! The message here to skinners here has been made clear on many ocassions in the past...'stealing is stealing'...black and white!!!

If Microsoft requested Kols theme to be pulled, then it WAS for a reason and you should be able to have the initiative enough to practice what you preach. Stand by the black and white claims u have made in the past and recognise that morally it is stealing and promoting the facilitation of stealing anothers work.

Since then there has been no communication/concern in any form in reference to any OTHER Vista 'version'. This silence is therefore taken as acceptance of their public distribution [in much the same way as that 'modded' [hacked] dll circumventing digital signing of styles is met with silence/indifference].

 

Do you expect Microsoft to daily scan each graphic website to look for infringements on what they have quite obviously made as a moral point and then request everytime that it be removed?

If you want to create a 'grey' area regarding theft to suit your needs;in a black and white policy you so solemnly advocate, then in my opinion, you are no less the same than any other ripper or theif that looks for these exact same loopholes to justify their actions.

Its easy, as you have said before, to justify these actions by saying 'silence is therefore acceptance' and 'I will stop when everyone else is asked to stop'. Such arguments have been used by rippers,plagiarists,hackers and P2P communities for as long as i can remember.

I am only taking and reflecting the hard-line approach you have so vehemently promoted in the past and wish to point out that if you choose to create self-serving 'grey' areas in such a black and white policy you advocate to others, then your credibility on this issue is seriously undermined.