Copyrighting is as soon as the original author set pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and set out the guide. Ripping is an unofficial term, and it's irrelevant to if the actual guide is copyrighted because even if it isn't and you copy it and try to sell it then you are ripping. Copyright infringement is the legal term for breaking a copyright.
I think Gt is working on a list of common guides so that people, such as yourself, aren't going to take advantage of other people's ignorance.
Of all the books I have bought, I have bought them because I was ignorant of their information and I seeked to be informed and be no longer an ignorant of the subject, and I had no problem with it because that was exactly what I was paying for.
Yes when I say ripping I mean infringing copyright.
I think that in order to take any action or prohibit something, there must be complain from the buyer, if he doesn't complain, has no problems, then why even bother? I haven't seen many reports, but of all the guide scams I have seen, most complain that the guide seller had lied about the guide's requirements and promises or that it simply didn't work.
I would like to see what kind of reports you are hoping to avoid by prohibiting the sale of public methods, that you couldn't avoid by simply requiring that all guide sales stick to what they promise.
Please don't get me wrong, I am not in favour of those who sell flax picking guides and don't say what it is.
But if someone buys a guide that is entitled "Runescape Guide 1$" and is given no information about the guide, then that person can not complain that this person was given a common known method because he was given exactly what was advertised.
By forcing these people to be clear and stay truthful about what they sell, you are forcing them to either make a thread stating "selling runescape money making guide 30K p/h". And you'll let the users do their work because no one will buy it.
And if they do, then good for both of them, there is nothing immoral here.
I am just thinking you are prosecuting the wrong charge, selling public information isn't wrong. Decieving, lying, false advertising is, and that is what should be punished, if you don't do any of those then you will either not sell that public information, or sell it to someone who didn't know that information, and that is fine.
Also, I see nothing wrong with allowing the sales of the DNS list, but instead of prohibiting them from selling them, just force them to clearly state what the guide is about, you will see how people will not buy it, and if they do, good for both of them.
I'm sorry for being repetitive.