Am I wrong to see this method of data (IP) collecting to be the same method as cookie stuffing? That's where my issue is, I know all about how people can cookie stuff using images but, I don't do it for ethical reasons.
So, what's the difference here? He collected IP's using image stuffing, is that correct? Or am I wrong? If I were to image cookie stuff some offer or aff network and caught, I would definately get terminated. However, he's cookie stuffing for his own gain and since he's the "merchant" there is no consequence.
I think one of the main reasons external images in signatures were banned were for this reason. Since it would open many peoples eyes, that they can just put an image in their signature and use it to cookie stuff (referral links?) and being as how big this forum is, one could make a lot of money.
That is all speculation though and I'm not taking any sides.
Nobody was stuffing anything. If you post an image on a forum that is hosted on your server, you can view which ip addresses viewed that image.