We've had other discussions here on the boards about this topic, but I wanted to add this article because it is so comprehensive and so well written that it is a MUST have resource should you find out someone has swiped a paragraph, or an entire page, from your website or blog. Be sure to read through to the end of the article where she lists a huge host of resources for dealing with and preventing content theft.

From the original post at Lorelle on Wordpress:
This is the first of three articles. This article covers tips, information and resources to help you deal with copyright infringement, the theft of your blog or website content. The second article includes helpful links and resources for finding stolen content and copyright infringements. The last article in the series examines the growing trends in content theft such as image hotlinking, website hijacking, and abusive use of feeds to replace original content without permission, as well as other copyright infringements on the rise.


I will cover the following topics and issues on what to do when someone steals your content:

• Identify the Source
• Contact the Content Thief
• Cease and Desist Order
• Contact Advertisers
• Request a Ban from Search Engines
• Register Your Copyrights: Prevention is Protection
• More Information on Copyright Laws, Intellectual Property Laws, and Content Theft Prevention
• Finding Stolen Content and Copyright Infringements
• The Growing Trends in Content Theft

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All I can say is nicely done Tess (in regards to other discussions! lol) This is very informative and a great resource!

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Serita Diana, the List 2 Close Assistant
REVA Academy

Oh brother, it's my turn. Just realized almost my entire blog is showing up on another VA's website, copied straight from my site. Her contact form doesn't work, and the phone number just rings and rings.

I went to WhoIs and may have retrieved a working email address from there, but who knows? Sent a cease and desist and we'll see what happens.

Always feels so slimy when you get ripped off. This is the first cyber theft I've personally experienced, though. There's a limit to how much I can do about it, I guess.

Any consolations and/or ideas would be appreciated.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Mary, that stinks!

Depending on who her hosting company is, you may be able to get the site taken down entirely with a DMCA - especially if the site is built on one of the free Google, Yahoo! or similar sitebuilders. GoDaddy is also particularly helpful when it comes to these kinds of cases.

Take screenshots of as much of your content on her site as you can....

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Received response to my email, and she insists it was a mistake and she'll remove the posts promptly.

Whew! That was close. I don't have time for that kind of hassle - who does?

Thanks for commiserating, Tess.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Some mistake... that's one I haven't heard yet. Usually you get the 'Oh I paid someone else to do that for me...'

At least it's a quick resolution. Glad to hear it!

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