[Thunder]

I complained to Pandorabots when this first happened, but instead of coming to my aid, they embraced the practice.  Now, it's blossomed into a new problem.
 
Around June of 2009 I started seeing some odd-looking chatlogs.  Instead of conversations, the logs were filled with code and commands, and they went on for long periods.  At the same time, Pandorabots was experiencing difficulty with the server responding.  The issue ranged from lagging a good bit to timing out entirely.  It made chatting with any Pandorabot difficult, and working to improve your own bot practically impossible.  It was said that the disruption had to do with a few unorthodox people "spamming" the server.
 
It took some effort, but eventually I traced my problem back to an enterprising individual who had created an IRC script that allowed people to include any of 20 chatbots in a channel, and several of my bots were placed in that script without my knowledge or permission.  It seems everyone there could toy with the bot (I could only see one person's participation in the logs) but, suffice it to say that from reading the chat, it didn't go well.  Pandorabots are designed to talk with one person, and my bots were struggling to answer everything said even when it wasn't directed at the bot, and then being ridiculed for being stupid.

When I complained to the script writer, I was told the bots were public and since he hadn't agreed to Pandorabot's TOS, he had every right to do so.  However, after I submitted a list of alternate bots that could take the place of mine, my bots were eventually removed.  The bots I suggested were the filthiest, most foul-mouthed bots I knew of, and I suspect they were employed without the script writer ever chatting with them, but judging from the logs I was reading, they seemed appropriate for that audience.

http://www.hawkee.com/snippet/6306/#c70208
 
However, while my bots have been removed, old copies of the script are still being passed around and I've seen it posted in other forums.  The latest issue is one of my bots is appearing in an IRC channel devoted to RuneScape using something called RuneScript.  The people at RuneScript claim no responsibility.  A reading of the chatlogs shows no conversation, it's all commands, and appears like the snippets below.  Note that the bot tries answering what is essentially nonsense.
 

Code

Human: Forums: http://forum.iDM-bot.com/ Rules: http://r.iDM-bot.com/rules News: LOTS of updates visit http://r.iDM-bot.com/v3
Bot: We'll be able to communicate better if you don't use shortcuts. I require regular language and correct spelling to communicate.  
        [09/20/2010 04:46:57 PM GMT - xxx]
Human: [INVITE] Thanks for inviting iDM [Bot tag - GO] into #cn, Bot.
Bot: You're quite welcome.  
        [09/20/2010 04:46:57 PM GMT - xxx]
Human: An op must type !part iDM[GO] to part me.
Bot: Sounds good to me.  

Sometimes people complain saying they were invited by the bot.
 

Code

[09/19/2010 12:19:19 PM GMT - xxx]
Human: | Bot ID: [GF] Website: Http://www.gw-bot.info | News: New Item: Slayer Helmet, More information http://www.gw-bot.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=242
Bot: Why are you interested in bot ID GF Website Http www dot gw bot info News New Item Slayer Helmet More information http www dot gw bot info forum viewtopic php f 41 t 242?  
        [09/19/2010 12:19:19 PM GMT - xxx]
Human: [INVITE] Hello #cn!
Bot: Is that a complete sentence with a subject, verb, and everything?  
        [09/19/2010 12:19:19 PM GMT - xxx]
Human: I was invited here by Bot!
Bot: When was this?  

It's been a long time since I visited IRC, but I recall seeing robot programs that would roam around and invite people to leave where they were and move to a different channel.  The problem is, my bot is being blamed for it, yet my Pandorabots don't have the ability to initiate conversation, they only reply.  This is an additional element that's been added by someone else.
 
If you're been afflicted with a similar issue, or if you know of a solution, I'd like to hear about it.

[Freddy]

Hi Thunder   I can't really add anything to what folks have already said over on Ai Nexus.  I think if it were me I would be looking to block IPs or use trigger words to make the bot clam up.  You would think they would want to make their own custom bot with relevant replies..

Maybe someone else will have some ideas here.

I hope you find a solution though as this kind of thing will only discourage botmasters.

[Data]

Why is it that someone will come along and try to exploit or damage a creation that has been worked on by a hard working decent person? that’s one of the most annoying things about the internet, too many Numpties.

Don’t let it get to you too much Thunder

Good luck.

[Thunder]

Thanks friends for your support.

The latest suggestion from the people at RuneScript is that their bot was invited to join an IRC channel that already had my bot in it.

That makes sense, although it wasn't obvious from reading the chatlogs.  It's like what they say about industrial accidents and mechanical breakdowns, there's not usually only one cause, it's a combination of two or more elements coming together.  The combination of two bots acting in tandem created bizarre logs that made no sense.

But, as Datahopa said, I just don't understand why someone would assume they could co-op your work product without asking permission.  I think he just thought he could get away with it.  But that's the source of my problem.   Without for first script, I wouldn't have had an encounter with RuneScript.