I guess I should check my referrer logs more often. It seems that not only are some sites lifting some of the graphics from this site -- but in unbelievably arrogant fashion -- some are even linking directly to the images on my server!

What's hilarious about this is that it is no accident. I could see if someone grabs my CSS file to tinker with it -- even publicly. But I link to images with a relative path. Meaning someone has to go out of their way to add my images to their CSS.

It's bad enough to steal someone's graphics -- but to steal them and the bandwidth it takes to serve them from the victim's site is just plain ridiculous.

</kneeJerkRant>

For the record and because I get asked now and then, I have no problems at all with people using any and all of the markup and/or CSS from this site. Take it, modify it, make it your own, experiment with it -- this is how we all learn. But I draw the line on graphics. I can't prevent it of course, but for god's sakes if you're gonna steal them, put them on your own server. Mmm 'kay?

I'm certain I'm not the only one that's run into this problem?

Update: It only took one comment to knock some sense into me. A simple .htaccess dropped into the /images/ directory prevents anyone from referencing your images from any other server but your own. I've just implemented this handy tip from Scriptygoddess and it appears to be working like a charm.