website plagiarism advice

julian · Feb 12, 2009

hi,

just noticed a load of my sites have been blatantly raped - I mean not only have they raped the text but also copied the forms, the layout, used same terminology even the javascript

etc..

thats not all.. the incredible thing is two of them are big solicitors firm in london and manchester

So was wondering if anyone had experience or knew of correct legal proceeding to deal with this.

thanks.

Systreg · Feb 12, 2009

The first thing I would do is, contact their webmaster, tell them you like their site design and ask for the details of the designer as you want a similar site made, with a bit of luck, the webmaster will email you back telling you it's all his work, you then have him by the balls.

Alternatively, he will give you the name of another site designer who made the site. you can also email them, try to get them to admit they made it themselves, at that point, you will be in a good position to seek legal advice.

GreyWing · Feb 12, 2009

Has it or is it affecting your links in seo, if it is then you can sue for loss of earnings if your rankings have dropped in google.

Google could link them all together and punish you for it, but make sure you have copies of their current site.

Admin · Feb 12, 2009

Take screen shots and source code captures of everything before you contact them.

Can you PM me the URLs so I can take a look?

Confidentiality assured.

Admin

aZooZa · Feb 12, 2009

Contact Google.

stevebrowne · Feb 12, 2009

as admin says - before you contact them at all, take screenshots and source dumps of everything and keep it all safe. It may be need as evidence.

i would also set up one of those monitoring apps that tells you if a web page changes. Set it to every 5 minutes and to record the new change. You will then be able to prove when they changed it, after they might do, and then claim that it was always like that.

Could it be that a web design company who works for the two solicitors has ripped you AND them off? In which case you might be lucky and have two solicitors on your side baying for blood (or at least money)

GreyWing · Feb 12, 2009

Can't see one solicitor doing it on purpose never mind two, I imagine there is a freelancer somewhere borrowing your site.

Hopefully they'll be in this country and justice will be swift. However if they are in India, then this is a battle that will go on and on with new sites from here on in.

ddwebguru · Feb 13, 2009

You can file a law suit against the company or you can complain to Google mentioning the problem. But first of all try to send a mail to that company. I think the matter will be resolved without making much fuss.

charlie · Feb 13, 2009

i's like to see just one of these websites - to see why they are worth copying!

must be stunners!

seanh · Feb 13, 2009

Agree with all of the above and this has happened to us on quite a few occasions.

Definitely take screen shots, or if the site is small download the whole lot and burn to a CD.

I have a draft 'legal' letter which we have used successfully, PM for details. Send to site owner and web hosting company. But be prepared to follow up with a lawyer who knows this stuff.

seanh · Feb 13, 2009

2 more tips

1 -Use Google alerts for unique paragraphs or phrases in your site to see who else is using it.

2 - For our important html sites I keep archive copies of the whole site, every 6-12 months or so. This is absolute proof that you were the originator.

rob · Feb 13, 2009

What I often do is email myself copies to gmail or the like, it a third party uneditable with timestamps.

Likewise have a look on web archive and google caches, key thing is third party independance if you are going the legal route.

Saying that a friendly contact first email / phone might help as it could be they dont know what their web developer is. Give them a chance to sort things out before getting too heavy

Systreg · Feb 13, 2009

Copyscape is another good site for seeing who else is using your site content:

Copyscape - Search for Website Plagiarism and Duplicate Content Online

julian · Feb 13, 2009

Thank you all for advice.

..done the screenshot thing

It does seem a grey area but I have now taken advice on this matter and post outcome

cheers

crabfoot · Feb 15, 2009

It is a bit late for this approach, but it holds up in court if necessary. I actually learned this tip from a Rolf Harris book about songwriting, but it is a good one adapted as follows to suit this situation:

There is an easy to use piece of freeware called "Free Download Manager" - Google for it, if I post a link it will be blocked.

Free Download Manager can download a complete site easily. So when you first complete a site, download it to your PC. Then make two CD copies of the entire shebang. You keep one in a safe place, the other set you put in an envelope addressed to yourself, with the address written across the "seams" of the envelope, so any tampering that you might do subsequently would be evident. Go to your local post office and post it registered, try to get the PO person to put the stickers across seams so that it is a further precaution against tampering.

When it is delivered to you, you have an officially dated copy of your website, and the evidence of your copyright can be produced in court. The "open" disc can be used to show what is in the envelope, the "post stamped" disc is the clincher. People have used this successfully to defend their copyright to songs - legal precedent is established, and any sensible lawyer will fold if you "play this card".

LOL datestamps will show wrong on everything in this rip-off. Maybe you could ask at your local Police Station if the Computer Crime Squad can help you. Theft is theft ... if you pay taxes, why not try to involve the protection. If they say it is a civil matter, that is hard work, but if it can be defined as criminal, the Police have to help.