A newspaper stole material from my website

**Mikhail Simkin** · 10-15-2009, 12:12 AM

and printed it in 600, 000 copies.

I wonder what can I use to prove my authorship in court?

Before it was stolen the material was viewed by over 6000 people and discussed in some 70+ blogs and forums, which linked to my webpage. Is it a good proof?

Can a dated backup file from my hosting provider serve as a proof?

**webwest** · 10-15-2009, 02:19 AM

Ask an attorney since it's a legal matter

**legallink** · 10-27-2009, 11:54 AM

If you can prove you published it first, well, the DMCA is the first step, as they are probably continually publishing it on their website.

To prove you published it first, it would be all about records of print publication, and the comments and dates associated with the discussion of the article. If they are all after the newspaper then you are SOL (Because I, like a reasonable person would assume that you are not the original author.) However, if you did publish it first, and then can demonstrate people discussing your article prior to publication, well, then you have to go after them for copyright infringement.

Jeff

**Clarence_82** · 10-27-2009, 01:30 PM

Maybe you could ask them to just reference you in another release and get some publicity from it. Could be a blessing in disguise, if you can get a hold of the big dogs that didn't realize their journalist stole it from you. It will take less to prove it to them then to a court.