Hello All...............

I could certainly use some advise!!!

I just discovered that my web site has been "stolen" outright. In doing some market analysis I came across a mirror image of one of my web pages, then found my whole web site has been pirated and is doing business as someone else.

I have a notice posted on my home page that all is copyrighted and cannot be used in any form etc etc. It only took me over 2 years to develop it........so you can understand why I can't even think straight right now!!!

Could anyone give me some advise as to what i can do about it? Any suggestions are really appreciated!

I don't know if it makes any difference but this is what is posted on my home page:

This Web Site is protected by copyright laws, and may not be copied/reproduced in any form without written permission

Thanks.........
Joe Hussar
candywebster@aol.com
http://www.candylandcrafts.com/

Please post the link to the site that has ripped you off. You could run a whois search on the site, then contact there webhost and tell them what there client has done, they should shut his account down. You could also just contact the person?

Hi and thanks for replying...........

This is the #**&&%XX$@!!! web site.........

http://www.thrushs.com/

How do you run a "whois"??

I have not contacted anyone yet because I want to "get my ducks lined up" first. I think I would be much better off if I first have all the "teeth" I can muster. It's rather obvious on the face of it that these kinds of (unethical) people can't be trusted!

Here's a comparison of a "typical" stolen page:

My page: http://www.candylandcrafts.com/Extra...ners_Foils.htm

The "stolen" equivalent (they really have - - - - -!!):

http://www.thrushs.com/SUPPLY%20STOR...oners_foil.htm

Thanks.......

Joe Hussar
http://www.candylandcrafts.com

Welcome to Webmaster-Talk!

The site in question appears to be hosted with Earthlink.

You can find all the domain name owners info clicking the link below:
http://www.betterwhois.com/bwhois.cg...s.com&x=27&y=8

Or go to betterwhois.com and enter the domain.

Hi Joe,

Unfortunately, this is an all-too-common occurence nowadays. If you do not find adequate contact information using the WHOIS lookup, then I recommend you search around their site for an e-mail address or anything else useful. Since thrushs.com seems to be a store as well, they certainly must have contact info somewhere. I wish you good luck, and I hope these good-for-nothing piraters are brought to justice!

I suggest sending an e-mail to the site in question. Just set out in clear terms that your site is copyrighted and that it is not available for public copying. Tell them that if they like your site they should link to it but not take your content. Ask them to remove the offending content as soon as possible.

When some of my content was stolen that's what I did and they immediately removed the content.

If that doesn't work send a more 'angry' e-mail saying that they are infringing your copyright and that this is breaking the law. Demand that they immediately remove all material that breaks your copyright. Include a list of all pages and items that do this. Then use the whois info (from betterwhois) or the site's contact info to e-mail, fax and mail this letter to them. Also mention that you will have to take legal action and contact their host if they fail to comply. Give them a suitable deadline (say 1 month max).

If that fails, contact Earthlink and, if they won't help you (which I'm sure they will) then you may have to take legal action.

Something you should do immediately is print out some evidence which can prove that they copied you. www.archive.org can be helpful here.

Just to thank you all for your valuable help.

Great suggestions which I'm following ..........and I'm sure I'll get it satisfactorily resolved..........

really appreciarte it!

I have a some excellent tools at my website:

1. an online html Source Code Encrytor - just paste your html in a box, press encrypt, test the result and paste the encrypted code back into your web page over the original code - note, save the original first as even you won't be able to get to the code once it has been encrypted!
2. a mouse button disabler - prevent anyone visiting your page from using the context menu of their mouse (normally right button) This will help to stop them stealing your content (text,graphics, and code)
3. download a free copy of WebSafe - the complete software package used by the profesionals to provide security for their website.

These are 100% FREE no bs

goto http://free.bobkan.net

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Bob Lynch, webmaster
www.bobkan.net

Thanks Bob.....

You are welcome - was I helpful?

Bob Lynch
www.bobkan.net

Keep in mind too they might not have taken your design. If they had their site designed by a dishonest web designer it could have been that person that did it.

I have a friend that happened to. Then the only thing you can do is ask the site to remove your design etc. and they have to take it up with the person(s) who designed their website.

Or you could also ask them to provide you with contact details for who designed their site. Like a url etc.

Other website designers do steal designs and make money off them. True they are few in comparison to the honest ones but they do exist.