Archive for August, 2009

Previously, I have covered the topic of web site copyright infringement, specifically affiliates who copy other web sites.? My basic message was don’t do it!

Later I shared some tips for preventing others from copying you, protecting your web site copy, and two people left comments with their own ways of combating copying, by preventing someone from framing your site and using Google Alerts to catch copycats.

But what about when you are the victim of copyright infringement?? What do you do now?

First, let’s acknowledge that you are likely upset. Calm down first and get to work.? You will need your wits about you if you intend to do anything.

Second, o some research on the offending web site first.? Do they have a contact page?? Is their contact information on the site anywhere?? If so, contact them and ask them to remove the copied content.

Keep in mind that it is entirely possible that the web site owner does not know that they are copying your site.? Perhaps they have a freelance copywriter that they hired who is cheating them.? Perhaps someone who works for them is lazy and decides copying your work is easier than writing his own stuff.? Either way, keep your first contact professional and courteous.? In other words, be nice and give them the benefit of the doubt.

Usually, this is all that needs to be done.? If they take it down, great!? You are done…sort of.? Just remember to keep an eye on them.

Third, if their contact information is not on their site, look them up at Domain Tools and see if their contact information can be found there.? Follow the first step from there.

Fourth, if that does not work, contact their web hosting company and tell them that the site is copying your content.? You can find the host by using Domain Tools as well.? Usually, if you can prove that the other site copied your site, the host will take their site down almost immediately.

Fifth, how can you PROVE that they copied you and not the other way around?? By using a tool such as the Wayback Machine to show them that your site looked like this X days ago and theirs did not.? Sometimes this is hard.? If you cannot prove it in this way, you may be out of luck.

That is unless your content has just enough to it that is specific to your site…i.e. your certain writing style, your name, a reference to your location, etc.? Something that would establish that indeed you wrote the content and the other site copied you.

Sixth, if this approach fails, then consider a formal Cease and Desist letter from an attorney.? Send it via certified mail.? If this is unaffordable, you may consider using a template from a site such as Legal Zoom, but an attorney is strongly recommended.

Lastly, if all else fails, file a DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) copyright infringement complaint with the major search engines.

I hope that you never have to use any of these tips, but if you, I hope they help!