General Discussions

**charliearchibal** · 05-25-2007, 11:58 AM

Hi,

My web design business built a website for a company and the website has been launched for a few months with all its unique graphics of products they sell.

Another company that sell the same products have stolen all the images etc and are using them on there website, as well as the text used on the website.

What would you suggest I do?

Cheers
Charlie

**angele803** · 05-25-2007, 02:55 PM

I would start off by trying to contact the owners of the website that copied your images. Try to be nice and professional about it, but let them know that you worked hard to create the images and own copyright to them.
Usually that is all it takes to get a person to change what they did. (catch them in the act and call them on it!).
Don't put in any threats at first (like "I am going to call a lawyer if you dont take the images down.") In my experience, this makes a person get defensive and they will not cooperate with you.
However, if they wont comply with your copyrights after asking them nicely, then you can get a little more stern with them.

**ForrestCroce** · 05-25-2007, 03:26 PM

You can see that Angele is both forgiving and a diplomat. My advice would have been to get in touch with the Four Horsemen and let them paint the site red, but you're probably better off taking the advice above. When you say "or I'll sue you and win" most people take that as a personal challenge, and will do anything except what you're after. If you don't actually say that, they'll understand that it's implied.

**DaveMo~** · 05-25-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angele803

I would start off by trying to contact the owners of the website that copied your images. Try to be nice and professional about it, but let them know that you worked hard to create the images and own copyright to them.

Great advice!

"Never start with a challenge, unless you want a fight." DaveMo~

Dave

**charliearchibal** · 05-27-2007, 06:58 AM

Hi,

How do I know legally that my work is copyright?

Charlie

**ForrestCroce** · 05-27-2007, 03:20 PM

In the US, if you made something, you own the copyright. That's how it works. The question is if you can prove you made it?

I don't know whether Scotland has similar laws, but I would guess it does.

**Mohab** · 05-29-2007, 12:47 PM

Don't do anything, it's not your problem or responsability.

It's the responsability of the company you designed the website for, it's their website now.

If I buy a laptop from say Dell and it gets stolen, it's not Dell's reponsability actually it's my responsability.