EXCLUSIVE: CompTIA Settles Suit Against Cheet-Sheets.com; Launches Industry "Security Council"
10/3/2001 -- The Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) confirmed to CertCities.com last week that it has settled a copyright and trademark lawsuit against Keen Interactive, owners of the site Cheet-Sheets.com.
According to court documents, the suit was originally filed by CompTIA in both the Cook County State Court and the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois (where it was eventually litigated) on May 21. It stemmed from allegations that Cheet-Sheets.com -- known for its advertising motto of "actual questions from actual tests" -- violated CompTIA's copyrights by selling questions that appear on CompTIA's A+ and other exams.
"We feel obliged to protect the integrity of our program," said Lutz Ziob, vice president of certification for CompTIA. "We also believe that as an industry association...we have a role to play."
Ziob told CertCities.com that Keen Interactive agreed to the following settlement terms:
- Destruction by Keen of all CompTIA-related materials in its possession.
- Disclosure of all customers who purchased CompTIA-related materials.
- Payment of undisclosed financial damages.
- A permanent injunction prohibiting Keen from using CompTIA's trademarks on its site.
Keen Interactive confirmed the settlement terms to CertCities.com, but the company otherwise declined to comment for this story, citing legal concerns. CompTIA materials have not been available on the Cheet-Sheets.com Web site for several months.
The settlement and injunction were filed with the court on Sept. 17. Days later, CompTIA sent a mass e-mail to Keen's customers asking them to either destroy the Cheet-Sheets in their possession or send them to CompTIA (reports vary as to the e-mail's content).
CompTIA said it sent the e-mail for two reasons. "We wanted to notify them [the recipients] that the information they received violates a whole slew of copyright and other laws, both at the state and federal level," Ziob explained. "We also wanted to stop them from disseminating the information further and opening themselves up [to] possible liability."
When asked if CompTIA was planning on taking any disciplinary actions against those who received the Cheet-Sheets, Ziob replied, "Absolutely not...There's no kind of judgment here." Ziob also said that so far the response to the e-mail has been mostly positive: "Many [people] thanked us for letting them know."
While this suit has been settled, future litigation may not be far off. Several certification programs whose tests are also covered by Cheet-Sheets.com materials confirmed to CertCities.com that they have been keeping an eye on this suit, including Microsoft and Prosoft Training.com. (Novell declined to comment.)
None would confirm whether they are considering legal action, but Microsoft's Director of Certification Skills and Assessment Anne Marie McSweeney issued the following statement to CertCities.com: "Microsoft is aware of the issues surrounding Cheet-Sheets.com. The value of certification resides in a given credential clearly representing a skill set and demonstrating that an individual has experience working with the technologies. Those companies and individuals who attempt to circumvent the normal process of earning a certification do a grave disservice to the industry and to themselves. Microsoft is committed to maintaining the integrity of the MCP program credentials and supports exam security across the high-tech industry."
As part of the commitment, Microsoft -- along with Novell, Prosoft, Vue, Prometric and other industry vendors -- has joined a "security council" started by CompTIA to address the issue of "braindump" sites as well as other industry concerns. CompTIA is scheduled to announce the new council officially next week. According to Fran Linhart, director of certification for CompTIA, the council is a joint effort with the Association of Test Publishers. Rob Pedigo, former director of Sun Microsystems' certification program, has been hired to run the program, Linhart said.
While the security council has been in the works for some time, CompTIA was careful to point out that the Cheet-Sheets.com suit was not connected in any way to the council: "We [CompTIA] did this on our own," Linhart said.
CertCities will bring you more on this story as it develops. -B.N.
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There are 158  user Comments for “EXCLUSIVE: CompTIA Settles Suit Against Cheet-Sheets.com; Launches Industry "Security Council"”
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| 12/11/01: Army Guy says: |
I,am a soldier in the USA Army. And I have proof that every company including microf-soft is guilty. We where given a simiar my coparate people x, that spoke about boot camps to asistance people getteing certified to meet requirement like comapines from micro soft to mantain benifits. My self and several other service men and women, attended people from all over the world at these boots camp for MCSE, MCSD, MCDBA etc... and they all used cheat sheet from keen, and the majority of people in my courses where actual employees from Micro Soft. And Micro Soft paid for the training. I Still have all my class rosters, names, and oganization these people worked for. |
| 12/17/01: Anonymous says: |
HaHa about time! |
| 12/19/01: Anonymous says: |
Cisco is about the only company trying to do things right. They crack down on braindump sites and change the questions from time to time to prevent cheating. Microsoft does a pathetic job and is obviously doing everything they can to keep the number of MCSEs up (lowering test scores to pathetic 500's; extending deadlines; changing rules mid-stream; saying old exams are now OK for new certs, etc). Microsoft is worthless. All cheat sheet sites and braindump sites should be shut down. As for you losers that complain that you take a class and all of the test questions aren't covered there, grow up. You're supposed to know and have experience with a product before taking the exams, you dumb sh*ts. Get out of the industry you pathetic whiners. |
| 12/19/01: Bill says: |
Microsoft, Comp TIA, and Cisco all need to stop their mother f***ing crying. You would think that they make enough money already by charging exuberant prices foir the exams. It is a crime that Microsoft has the nerve to charge $100 soon to be $125 (effective 1/4/01) per test. These test are written like a backwards Greek riddle. I have used braindumps, and Troytec and without them I would never passed 70-216, 70-217, and 70-088. Not to mention that Comp Tia gets away with charging $195 for the Network + and the INET exam. LONG LIVE TROY TECH AND BRAINDUMPS... Peace to my nuts |
| 12/19/01: Anonymous says: |
Its all a money game. Microsucks can steal money from everyone, but because they can afford expensive lawyers, not only do they get away with it, but they sue others for stealing. There is a company that COPIES Cheet Sheets tests, and then resells them. MicroSUCK tests are to hard. Some of there questions are a full page long for one question. MICROSUCK WONDERS WHY PEOPLE CHEAT ON THEIR TESTS. Mr. Gates, it is rumored, cant pass the MCSE. |
| 12/19/01: Anonymous says: |
This is so stupid when IT world starts to look like Radar Detector business; "They" got something new - so now "we" got the cure to fix it. WHY nothing can be sacred any more? I have be in IT for 16 years and suddenly employers do not want to talk to you if you do not have certification. No MCSE - take a hike! And now, with MCSE - some think you will perform a challenging job of connecting mice and keyboards for 20 k/year.This is what happens when some certifications lose their meaning. Now suddenly Microsoft woke-up and decided they will make a change, limit number of MCSE's and if they f@#$ some very experience and professional people in a process - let it be!. But I am looking into the future with a smile. LET THEM. "what goes around, come around" Let's just be patient for a while, and get that certification with all those "according to Bill" questions. And is your business how. And once you do, please extend you middle finger towards Silicon Valley and say "I love you too". |
| 12/20/01: Jumper82 says: |
Man...Some of you gripe way too much!! So, what if people use "cheat sheets" or "braindumps"....If this helps them get their foot in the door, to get more expierence...More Power to them...Sometimes it takes the cert to get the chance to get experience...If you are so worried about being lumped into the group of "paper MCSEs" then do something about it....Keep getting more experience...take high level of certs....Do something...except for complaining about everything around you...And for those who use "Braindumps" good luck....If it helps you better yourself or you family in the long run...Great!! A+, MCSE+I (NT4.0), MCSE (WIN2K), MCDBA, CCNP, CCDA |
| 12/20/01: Ken says: |
People are always going to find ways to cheat. I think the braindumps can be good to use as practice exams, especially when the exams like Transcender are $99. You need the practice questions. Microsoft questions tend be irrelevent, devious, and convoluted. I also don't like the idea of people memorizing braindumps and taking the exam. I also can't stand companies like "Intense School" offering "MCxx in 14 days!". You don't learn a thing! I would like to see employers do a better job screening applicants. They should hire people on a trial basis or test them on their skills and research their backgrounds. I'm afraid the MCSD title is not the title it was meant to be because of people looking for the easy way out. Where the hell is our society going. We parents are producing spoiled bratty whiners. Kids are raised to not be accoutable for anything (Now I'm getting pissed!) and they're the ones showing up to exams with the knowledge of which answers are right and that's it. You've got to remember one thing. We live in a society that promotes freedom. We cannot eliminate braindumps, they will always be there. They even help people who legitimatly want to test their knowledge on the subject. If we keep eliminating one thing after another, who is turning into the whiner? What happens to freedom? People need to learn that they are responsible for themselves and what they become, no one else. There will always be jerks out there that want to get things the easy way. A few lucky people succeed in life when they cheat, but if you work your ass of, you can go no where but up. If you disagree, you're a spoiled brat who needs a good spankin' by your mommy. Instead of eliminating the braindump sites, employers looking for people with these credentials need to be responsible for hiring good people. CompTIA needs to stop worrying about it, they're still making money. Legit people need to stop worrying about it and realize no matter what, they will succeed, and the cheaters need to worry their ass off. They WILL be exposed for who they really are. If not upfront, it will be behind their backs. Sorry for the rambling, but I can worked up. If had more time and space, I could work up a more thought out debate. I hope you get the picture though. That's all I've got to say. |
| 12/20/01: John says: |
Joe Schmoe, Chad Evans you guy's said it all. amen!!! The way I see it with out braindumps, M$, Novel, Cisco, Comptia would all be outta business, I would like to see all you guys ragging on braindumps pass a test out-right, without picking up a D**m book "please gimme a godda**m break". Like it or not everybody who's ever pass a CERT "BRAINDUMP". I've been in I.T for 12 years, and guess what I've use BRAINDUMPS and so WHAT! Do you people think M$, Comptia, Cisco etc...... don't know about these braindump sites, please give me a break, filing law suits such B*S it's all a front. READ BETWEEN THE LINES!!!!!!! Who cares if someone uses BRAINDUMPS, to each it's own, may the best man win. Bottom line, if you want to use braindumps use it, if you don't then don't. Wise up people!!!! That is all!!! MSEE, BSEE - MCT, MCSE+I (NT4.0), MCSE (WIN2K), MCDBA, MCSD, CCNP, CCDA, CCNA, CCDP, MCNE, CNE, CCA, CCEA, CCSE, CCSA, A+, N+, Server+, I-Net+, Linux+, SCO-ACE, AIX-CATE, CIW-A |
| 12/21/01: Rick says: |
Well, from reading all of the responses, I thought I'd give my twn cents response. It's rather simple. Just because you have a Cert., doesn't mean you "know" the material. It's a starting point for many of us (I have A+, Network +, C.C.N.A, C.C.D.A, and C.C.N.P.). I just received my C.C.N.P. with the help from a variety of sources: Cisco Books, Exam Prep, Troy Tech, Transcenders, Dumps, Keen. Without REAL WORLD experience at least you have exposure. Nothing more. And, that is FINE! It's a start. If you really want to make a career out of this industry, at least you are putting an effort into it. No REAL company is going to hire you without knowing whether or not you "know" your material and to what extend you know it (well, that may determine how much responsibility you get initially). The bottom line is that all of the exam preparation materials are good. They help you "prepare" for the Real World. For those that worked hard without using the "extra" resources, congratulations. You are likely to have a "notch-up" on your competition. For those who worked hard and had help from Troy Tec., Keen, Transcenders, et al, more power to ya. The real experience comes when you get the hands on!!! There are a lot of politics to this industry. During the meantime, I'll do my best to learn the material, but I won't turn away from resources that will allow me to MOVE FORWARD! |
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