What to do against COPYCATS

BrandingBaw · Jul 2, 2012

Brothers from other mothers

Maybe you know this too, you have a nice site set up and some copycat takes it away...

What can we do about this?

I was thinking, sometimes you see a bad service here... Maybe if you order such a service for your competition, it will put them down a bit (Or am I to generous now

)?

Let me hear what you think about it, and how you would handle it when someone copied your site.

meathead1234 · Jul 2, 2012

Send a DMCA notice to their host and Google. Works every time unless they are hosted somewhere that doesn't recognise DMCA. Google will respond regardless, though.

NetMarketer · Jul 2, 2012

First gather all the proof that the site originated with you. Archive.org, Google cache, other website websites that might have screenshots and dates. Screenshots of your FTP if you haven't updated in awhile.

Next find out their email from the whois info. Send an email telling them that they're not allowed to use your content and that you're giving them a chance to take it down. Usually this works. If it doesn't...

Send a letter to their host with all the proof. Tell them that your request to stop plagiarizing went ignored and ask them to take action. I have not found a host who didn't get involved. Even shady hosts will do something. Make sure you're actually getting in touch with the real host by looking up IP's. Don't just go by the nameservers for the site.

The sooner you take action the better. Good luck.

BrandingBaw · Jul 2, 2012

meathead1234 said:
Send a DMCA notice to their host and Google. Works every time unless they are hosted somewhere that doesn't recognise DMCA. Google will respond regardless, though.

Thank you for this answer, I will go ahead and take those steps.

But then I still wonder, where do I stand when the copycat changes the site just a little?

And was your advice aimed at the looks of the site, or the idea behind it?

NetMarketer said:
First gather all the proof that the site originated with you. Archive.org, Google cache, other website websites that might have screenshots and dates. Screenshots of your FTP if you haven't updated in awhile.

Next find out their email from the whois info. Send an email telling them that they're not allowed to use your content and that you're giving them a chance to take it down. Usually this works. If it doesn't...

Send a letter to their host with all the proof. Tell them that your request to stop plagiarizing went ignored and ask them to take action. I have not found a host who didn't get involved. Even shady hosts will do something. Make sure you're actually getting in touch with the real host by looking up IP's. Don't just go by the nameservers for the site.

The sooner you take action the better. Good luck.

Hi Man,

I have the proof, and already mailed the copycat... But it's very useful info that I should contact his hosting company and I'll do that right away.

Then again I wonder, what would a hosting company do when they see minor changes in the copycats site? He didn't do that yet, but I can just see it coming that he will do that

NetMarketer · Jul 2, 2012

BrandingBaw said:
Hi Man,

I have the proof, and already mailed the copycat... But it's very useful info that I should contact his hosting company and I'll do that right away.

Then again I wonder, what would a hosting company do when they see minor changes in the copycats site? He didn't do that yet, but I can just see it coming that he will do that

Usually they'll take down all or most of it. If they get scared of losing their hosting they won't play around too much. Don't fret if they keep some of the graphics, that's no big deal compared to your content. If it's been a day or two and and you haven't seen changes just go ahead and involve the host now, before he has a chance to do some subtle changes. You could even get in touch with your own host. The more eyes the better.

BrandingBaw · Jul 2, 2012

Allright man, I'm on it... Let's hope for the best.

I just contacted my manager at the hosting, and he said they would keep an eye on it but could do not much more than that.

Which makes some sense, so let's wait for the copycats hosting company reply now.

PatrickLSO · Jul 2, 2012

Like many people said above, get proof that you came first. Then you can either file a DMCA complaint with their host or Google. The host is usual the one who threatens them, Google sometimes steps in and "bans" them.

Best of luck!

BrandingBaw · Jul 2, 2012

I fixed some good proof, so will file it a.s.a.p. to his hosting and any other company that might come in use.

Will keep you guys updated

seoguru13 · Jul 2, 2012

I guess that's a reality of the world we live in... Some draw inspiration, some seek suggestions and others blatantly copy. In regards with protection for your graphics and design, your options are very little, unless you have registered logos etc.

Also, a plain html site can be ripped a lot easier than a php based site. U just need httprack for ripping almost any plain html site. Takes just one button click.

BrandingBaw · Jul 2, 2012

You are very right, and it's very sad that people can be like that...

I feel bad for the little mindless copycats, but what can you do...:stups:

With the good proof I ment that I have some things registered, so that one is in my advantage. I'm pretty shure things will be allright with the tips I got here, but let's wait and see where we get.

And about the ripping, it ineed is just that easy.. But it takes a (bad and sad) coward to click such a button, or copy a site in general

TheLinkGuy · Jul 2, 2012

Simple.

DMCA takes it down on host and through google. don't screw around with anything else, that's the easiest and quickets and most effective method

Duffers5000 · Jul 2, 2012

There's also some good plug ins available to copywrite your posts and content. Doesn't mean you will stop them but the more you look like you give a damn about your work the less inclined guys will be to steal your stuff . Its like saying I will pursue you if you rob from me.

BrandingBaw · Jul 2, 2012

TheLinkGuy said:
Simple.

DMCA takes it down on host and through google. don't screw around with anything else, that's the easiest and quickets and most effective method

Thanks for your reply. I've filed the DMCA and just sent it to Google. Hope everything gets solved soon.

Duffers5000 said:
There's also some good plug ins available to copywrite your posts and content. Doesn't mean you will stop them but the more you look like you give a damn about your work the less inclined guys will be to steal your stuff . Its like saying I will pursue you if you rob from me.

Hi man,

You might wanna share those plug-ins, I think many people will benefit from those including myself

Duffers5000 · Jul 2, 2012

Just turned god off for the night but I'll post them for you in the morning. They are nothing special but just seeing copywrite written on your stuff makes robbers think "hmm he might come after me"

cloakme · Jul 2, 2012

Great Pluggins!!!

WP-CopyProtect [Protect your blog posts]

This plug-in will

Disable selection of text
Disable right click on your blog. (Diable right click with popup message or without popup message.)
will not affect SEO. Search engines can read your content without any problem.

copyright

A simple way to protect the content on your website. For most browsers: disables text copy, image copy and will keep your site out of an iframe.
This plugin is clean and easy.
WordPress MU, PHP4 and safe_mode compatible.

HP.Bryce · Jul 2, 2012

I recommend the use of Rich Snippets. Yes, I know it seems like a pain but it ensures you do not get hit with the duplicate penalty and THEY do. Here is a link to some of the updates to their use and I am sure you can dig up anthing you need relating at the linked site. hxxp://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2012/04/updates-to-rich-snippets.html

BrandingBaw · Jul 3, 2012

Duffers5000 said:
Just turned god off for the night but I'll post them for you in the morning. They are nothing special but just seeing copywrite written on your stuff makes robbers think "hmm he might come after me"

I'll see them coming

cloakme said:
Great Pluggins!!! *zip*

Thank you very much, I think many will appreciate this one!

HP.Bryce said:
I recommend the use of Rich Snippets. Yes, I know it seems like a pain but it ensures you do not get hit with the duplicate penalty and THEY do. Here is a link to some of the updates to their use and I am sure you can dig up anthing you need relating at the linked site. hxxp://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2012/04/updates-to-rich-snippets.html

It seems like a pain, yes.. But worth it in some cases I guess so thanks for the information man

I'd say keep it coming so others can benefit too, there is already some nice info in this thread

:cat48::rippedhan

I don't hate cats by the way

But do dislike the copycats :cussing:

Typlo · Jul 3, 2012

If your content is original and you believe protected under law and reproduced without your permission/stolen, you can report this to google and they will usually remove the offending content: http://support.google.com/bin/static.py?hl=en&ts=1114905&page=ts.cs

If it's stolen text here's the link to ask google to remove from their index (you'll need a google/gmail account to access the takedown request form):
https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/dmca-notice?pli=1&;
Can also do a whois and notify the offending webmaster's ip provider of the violation. Some hosting providers will remove websites where there are clear violations.

Duffers5000 · Jul 3, 2012

Okay Im using is "copyrighted post" by Minimus

http://www.simplelib.com/?p=166

Since I started using it, seems to have scared a few muppets off

terlan · Jul 3, 2012

DONT block right clicking.

1. it doesnt work. anyone who is replicating your site isnt copy / pasting from a browser. and if they were they are probably savvy ewnough to use ctrl+c to get round it.
2. it stops legitimate users from right clicking links on your site and selecting open in new tab, or similar.
3. its bloody annoying.

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