Content Stolen?

**david** · 10-16-2002, 04:51 PM

OK, so I just wanted to be the first to post in this form

but I do have a serious question.

I have found a website who seem to have a copy of one of my tutorials on it. Although they say 'Special thanks to www.freewebmasterhelp.com' at the bottom, I'm almost certain the content was stolen for a number of reasons:

If I allow another website to use my content it has a lot more credit listed than just 'Special thanks to...' and ususally has my name included
I don't remember ever allowing another site to use that particular tutorial
I can't find any reference to the site's URL in any of my mail messages
I had never heard of the site before I found the tutorial

I don't want to send an angry e-mail to the owner in case I actually did allow them to use it (and just don't remember), but I don't really want them to carry on using the tutorial (according to the site 60 people have read it there), even though its not taking visitors away from my site (yet).

Any suggestions as to how I should go about dealing with it?

**TimSchroeder** · 10-16-2002, 08:43 PM

This response probably is not very helpful, but I WOULD contact them in a professional manner stating that don't remember giving them permission and only allow them to continue using it if certain guidelines are met (that is if you wanted them to use it at all).

**thesawmillguy** · 10-17-2002, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chief
This response probably is not very helpful, but I WOULD contact them in a professional manner stating that don't remember giving them permission and only allow them to continue using it if certain guidelines are met (that is if you wanted them to use it at all).

I agree with that you should approach it in a proffessional manner.....

Toby

**fonzerelli_79** · 10-17-2002, 07:11 AM

the guy has already given you credit so hes probably alright

**conkermaniac** · 10-17-2002, 07:22 AM

Hi fonz,

Yes, the webmaster has given david some credit for his work, but he still has not received permission from david. If david decides that his work is not to be used on any site under any circumstances, then all webmasters must abide with those terms.

David, I would just write to them in a professional manner, and then make sure you put a tag under each article, saying, "This article may only be used on another site with written permission."

**DaveMo~** · 10-17-2002, 01:12 PM

When you contact them, you might "remind" them that a certain resource box must be used with the article. Then include the resource box with the links to whatever is appropriate.

Definitely include what Conker added: This article may only be used on another site with written permission.

You could also explain, if this is your policy, that the articles can only be used for a certain amount of time (like published on their site for 2 months, or something). After that time, they could put the title and synopsis of your article with a link back to your site.

Professionalism and diplomacy are key attitudes to be used when dealing with this type of situation.

Dave

**david** · 10-18-2002, 07:47 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll write a nice professional e-mail and see what comes out of it.

I'll keep you all updated.

**david** · 10-22-2002, 05:49 PM

I haven't had a chance to e-mail yet (I'm so busy at the moment

) but I was shocked to find that ANOTHER site is stealing my content. This one is true robbery, though. Not even a link back. One of the tutorials hasn't even been re-formatted.

Take a look at:
http://ethionl.xs4all.nl/
Choose Web Tutor from the top menu, then Tips and Support.

Then take a look at the following pages from the menu on the site and compare them to the pages on my site:

'Go here for web redisigning tips'
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/articles/design

'Go here for frames and tables tips'
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/framestables

'Go here for choosing webhost tips'
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/articles/webhost

'Go here for ftp tutorial and tips.'
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/ftp/

'Go here for access protected sites tips.'
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/htaccess/

I can't belive this! I know people say that copying is the best form of complement (or something like that), but why does nobody respect copyright???? (Goes off to download music

)

**ghettocars** · 10-22-2002, 07:25 PM

Quote:

EthioNL.xs4all.nl copyrighting quote
There are hundreds of sites around the internet (including Free Webmaster Help) which tell you exactly how to build your own site, but there is actually very little information for people on how to go about designing an effective website.

HAHAHA he even forgot to edit out the Free webmaster Help part.
what a plagerizer, he could be sued for that.

how are you finding these sites??!? I would be really p***** off at this point to find out that they steal my content, provide no link back, and not even edit half of it!
(well off to download music

)

**TimSchroeder** · 10-22-2002, 09:24 PM

Those Jerks!

Geez Dave, you are getting quite popular (or at least your content)! At least you have not had an ENTIRE site stolen yet. That has happened to myself before from some guy in China and there was not a whole lot I could do about it.

Let us know what relpy you get from your email. He does not want to mess with us

**david** · 10-23-2002, 05:38 PM

Thanks for all the support guys!

I'll let you know how it goes....

**DaveMo~** · 10-23-2002, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by david
but why does nobody respect copyright????

Remember, not all countries honor or abide by the copyright laws of the US or UK, or some other countries.

There have been lots of sites copied and articles copied by webmasters(?) from countries in Asia and Africa. I'm not picking on anyone, if you happen to be from there. (Both FWT and Tech-Forums have had their complete sites copied.)

For those that do copy, how do they expect to get business or keep their good name when it's discovered that they have no original content?

Copying someone's work is supposed to be the highest form of a compliment, but not when they take credit for what they've copied. My hope would be that all of us would give proper credit when using anyone's work.

David, let us know what the answer is to your email.

Dave

**kline11** · 11-10-2002, 04:35 PM

Sorry to hear about the theft of your hard work. I've had this happen to me as well with the code generators I write. It can really get under the skin.
But, When I contacted the sites about it (in a polite manner), most often then not, they made ammends.
I hope it all works out for you.

**alchiba** · 11-10-2002, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DMo224
Remember, not all countries honor or abide by the copyright laws of the US or UK, or some other countries.

In the case of international copyright, it is known as the Berne Convention. Oddly enough, it was the US that held out. It didn't join (thereby formally respecting copyrights of Berne members) until 1989. Here's a link.

You should always include copyright notifications on any original work. It's minimal protection, but at least it's something.

**conkermaniac** · 11-11-2002, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DMo224
Remember, not all countries honor or abide by the copyright laws of the US or UK, or some other countries.

There have been lots of sites copied and articles copied by webmasters(?) from countries in Asia and Africa. I'm not picking on anyone, if you happen to be from there. (Both FWT and Tech-Forums have had their complete sites copied.)

Dave, I can assure you that there are lots of copyright laws here in China. I have seen just as many Americans and Europeans copying sites as I have Asians and Africans (it seems like we have forgotten the Australians and the Central/South Americans there

). Anyway, I personally think that it's all the perception of these people that they can't be caught because they're so far away. Most of these abusers know that they have less of a chance of being discovered by the original owners if their site is targeted towards a different group. I would bet that if Americans and Europeans could read Asian languages, they would be stealing tons of info too. But the problem is that so few of them can.

**DaveMo~** · 11-15-2002, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alchiba
You should always include copyright notifications on any original work. It's minimal protection, but at least it's something.

Good advice.

Quote:

I would bet that if Americans and Europeans could read Asian languages, they would be stealing tons of info too. But the problem is that so few of them can.

Good point, and probably true. My limited experience has just seen the ones copied from a couple groups of people.

Dave

**Jenny** · 11-29-2002, 05:06 PM

I have been dealing with a situation of another website stealing my original ideas and tho I agree with Dave in what he said about "copying someone's work is supposed to be the highest form of a compliment" it is sad when people can't use their own resources and brains AND admit when they have neither by giving credit where it is due!

I have had to even go as far as posting on my forum the new feature and date because I know the other website is on watching the new options I provide my members and will be doing the same on theirs days later.

It is certainly very frustrating!

GlitterHugs,
Jenny