My content on competitors site

[Malchy Dorris]

I've just discovered that someone has copied my exact business model and even used almost the same web address (just dropped one letter).

I know this is life so not much i can do about that, however, he has stolen a lot of the copy off my site word for word, even down to a few of the spelling mistakes i had on my copy. He's also stolen an header image off my site that i had made myself and i own.

The question is: is there actually much i can do about the stolen copy/image?

According to the whois database the url is registered to someone in California. He hasn't put any of his business contact details (just an email address) or even his correct name on the website so it does look a bit scammy. I wouldn't say that he's actually trying to pass himself off as me but I'm concerned that if it's a scam then it may harm my business as the url, header image and the details of the service provided are so similiar. Again i can't imagine there's alot i can do about that other than reassure my clients and keep a close eye on what happens.

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Suzuki]

DMCA complaint to the web host of the offending site is the easiest and quickest way to solve that. Don't bother mentioning the domain name being similar... just the stolen text content.

 

[old boy]

Is it a wordpress iste you have?

if so you can add in a 5 or 6 legal pages with a simple plugin called policies

if not make sure you get a copyright logo on the site at least

this duplicate content will def affect your rankings in time

 

[MancunianCreative]

If he's taken and used your work then you have every right to ask them to desist. Email them and ask. It may not have been the company, it could have been a dodgy web firm.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

http://www.oldwelshguy.co.uk/web-marketing/beating-the-content-thieves-stolen-website-content bit of information here for you, step by step guide on resolving the issue.

 

[Michael Gerard]

http://www.oldwelshguy.co.uk/web-marketing/beating-the-content-thieves-stolen-website-content bit of information here for you, step by step guide on resolving the issue.

Nice piece OWG - I may copy it and upload it to my website!

 

[OldWelshGuy]

I need to check as I think there have been some updates since I wrote that. the DMCA filing has changed page I think.

 

[The Resolver]

Follow OWG's excellent step-by-step guide to getting results without the cost and delay of court action (but don't copy them without permission

You might also look at trying to win an adjudication on the transfer of the domain name to yourself (issue at www.wipo.int if top level (.com etc) or www.nominet.org.uk if UK country level (.co.uk etc) Bit of a cost here but may be worthwhile if business is being lost. If you want to do that (and you would seem, from what you have said to have a strong claim under the rules by which both orgs adjudicate on these matters) then call me if you want any help with formulating the claim to come within the rules.

 

[Malchy Dorris]

Excellant advice guys - thank you all very much.

Will be taking some time out tomorrow to re-read everything and carry out my next steps.

Again, very much appreciated.

 

[old boy]

There arer also a couple of useful sites I think ok to post here

plagiarism.org
copyscape.com

there are also a couple of bots you can use to keep you updated - but you dont want to spend all your time checking

you can get a little plugin for your site warning th euser not to copy and paste as soon as they highlght something

i think there is something similar for html sites too

depends what your site is and how unique th econtent is to you

OB

 

[Malchy Dorris]

Just a quick update to let you know how i got on.

I followed the great advice on OWG's link (thanks OWG) and so far so good. I wrote a firm but respectful email to the site owner yesterday pointing out all the copy and the image that was stolen. I gave him 5 working days to remove the stolen content and listed out the steps i'd take if it was not removed (bascially the steps in OWG's advice). I cc'd [email protected] and the legal department at his webhost (as per the instructions listed on the his webhost's terms and conditions).

Today his site is gone so either he's taken it down to remove the copy or his host has done something. Either way it's looking good but i'll keep a very close eye to see what happens in the next few days.

Again thanks to everyone for the most helpful advice.