There is definitely something about Mt. Gox to copy. Quick comparison of main layout elements, obviously showing things being copied:
Now I am not a particular supporter of copyright law as it stands, but I do believe that you can't simply copy the entire design (and make a few changes) for commercial purposes, especially not for a relatively lucrative business.
The thing about referal programs is just based on what I have experienced in the past few years, from an "internet user" viewpoint. It's all great that you look at it from an "ecommerce guy" viewpoint, but it's the "regular internet users" that have to deal with the consequences - and from a "regular internet user" viewpoint I've found that I (and many others with me) have usually found companies that rely this heavily on referal systems, are often shady in one way or another.
I understand your point about physical location, but I tried to make a point about American vs West-European mostly. I don't think that for example a UK-based business would be any different from a US-based business in that regard.
LOL I think this conversation is over.
I have proved my points exactly.
The Western European vs American argument is completely erroneous to the topic were discussing
oh and by the way, bringing those screenshots was a waste of effort on your part and did not help your case at all LOL
Cheers buddy
TradeHill is an American company?
I am tired of trying to decipher Magical Tux's thick Jap accent
Yes sir! The management are Americans based in Chile, and the programming and design team in Washington, DC.
Why so hostile? I'm having to try a proper discussion and you resort to laughing and ridiculing, that's not really going to help.
Well, Chile is in America too - just not in the "United States"!
Anyways - calling a completely basic design (horizontal + vertical navbar, company name in the footer(!)...) a ripoff is a bit much in my opinion.
People are used to this layout from MtGox - why suddenly swith to something completely new and out-of-the-box, just to be different?!
My point is not that it's similar, but that it's practically identical. The tradehill layout is basically the Mt. Gox layout/design with a color change, a font size change, some changes in the text, a different logo, and the exchange rate bar removed. The menu (with the shadow effect thing) for example is a dead giveaway.
bitcoin7 is "operating unlicensed and therefore illegally (in their jurisdiction)"
What licenses are required to operate a bitcoin exchange in the United States?
Especially given that BTC aren't recognized as a currency, aren't they just the equivalent of people buying/selling WoW gold on eBay?
Also, does TH have whatever the appropriate licences are?
Also making claims that someone is operating "illegally" is quite easy - especially with BTC there's not that much regulated or available, as it is a relatively new field of operations. It's very often not sure for example if BTC are "money", "goods" or anything else.
This claim was in regards to the various non-Bitcoin currencies that were used. Again I can't recall in exactly what thread it was (and the forum is too slow now for me to go look for it), but someone pointed out that under their jurisdiction they would be operation illegally because of the other currencies, not because of Bitcoin.
