Website Plagiarism

[omairt]

I found a website (belonging to a banned exceemer) that had copied my website word for word. I am going to report this with the website host but was wondering what kind of proof I can send?

Everything on my site is my original work that I have written myself, and it's really frustrating that some prick decides to copy/paste everything without as much as a link. I did send him an e-mail but never got a reply...

I've had a look around and I've been told to send in Alexa Ranking and traffic info, but I have no idea what it is . There was also something else about the Google's cached version of the site, but there is only a difference of 4 days between mine and his being cached.

Anyone got any suggestions?

By the way, I'm not sure if the guy's got permission but he's using pictures of freebies of the following members:

ArcticFox
prettyfly
Detox
GaryL2K
the_saint

And a couple other that I don't recognise...

[Dim Tim]

Care to tell us the URL, so we can have a look ourselves ?

[omairt]

Mine > Free iPhone, Free PS3, Free Xbox 360, Free Wii & more @ Gimme4Free.com

Other one > FreebiesWorld: FREE PS3 Xbox360 Wii PSP Macbook iPod Plasma

[the_saint]

Originally Posted by omairt

I found a website (belonging to a banned exceemer) that had copied my website word for word. I am going to report this with the website host but was wondering what kind of proof I can send?

With some copyright works it is easy to provide proof, but with websites it can be difficult. I would have suggested a Google cache can sometimes be useful but obviously you aluded to that as not being an option

I've had a look around and I've been told to send in Alexa Ranking and traffic info, but I have no idea what it is .

Alexa the Web Information Company though i'm not sure what they think this would prove. It might show who's site has been around longest, but I don't think it would help prove who owns the content.

By the way, I'm not sure if the guy's got permission but he's using pictures of freebies of the following members:
.....
the_saint

Why I oughtta!!

[-null-]

Info about Alexa Alexa Internet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm not exactly sure how you'd prove plagerism. Unless the modified date of your pages is before his, that may work to show your site was created before his.

Another way may be to see if your site is here Internet Archive. It's an archive or how websites used to look, if yours is there and his isn't or isn't as old it will show yours is original.

[arcticfox]

Originally Posted by omairt

Mine > Free iPhone, Free PS3, Free Xbox 360, Free Wii & more @ Gimme4Free.com

Other one > FreebiesWorld: FREE PS3 Xbox360 Wii PSP Macbook iPod Plasma

lol, I do love when they put the copyright at the bottom as if to warn people not to copy "their" site.

[omairt]

Originally Posted by -0707-

Info about Alexa Alexa Internet - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm not exactly sure how you'd prove plagerism. Unless the modified date of your pages is before his, that may work to show your site was created before his.

Well I update my site on almost a weekly basis so that might be out of the question.

[-null-]

Tried another edit but too late...

Another option, they don't have the link back to styleshout. I'm not sure the T&Cs for using styleshout templates but that may be against them. In which case talk to them and get them to assist.

[wolf]

Omairt, i reckon you could try get in touch with the designer of the template you used, as the rip off site has changed the name of the link at the bottom where it says "designed by" and has changed the actual link itself to his kudos ref link.

Im pretty sure the template designer has to be credited properly when you use their design

[-null-]

Incidentally I think I've also seen this line on someone else's website before as well

(BONUS) Sit back, relax and wait for the courier company to deliver your gift!

[arcticfox]

care to name and shame him/her? I didnt give permission for any of my photos to be on their page and I see 2 of them.

[the_saint]

Originally Posted by arcticfox20

care to name and shame him/her? I didnt give permission for any of my photos to be on their page and I see 2 of them.

eXceem - View Profile: psyfreak

[arcticfox]

Originally Posted by the_saint

eXceem - View Profile: psyfreak

yup, just noticed the name at the bottom. I'm guessing he's an ex member as he got banned soon after.

[the_saint]

I suppose if you wanted to annoy him you could sign up to one of his ref links (not one you already have an account with though), find out his real email address from that (assuming the one he has there is rarely checked) and sign up to every mailing list you can think of. Get him spammed with porn, competions wins, etc.

[wolf]

Maybe, though not wanting to get in trouble for suggesting they get involved, just an idea, maybe kudos can send him an email to warn him that he shouldnt be using someone elses website design..?

[Harvez]

not really an issue the freebie sites would be botherd about tbh.

[omairt]

I was thinking the same thing about contacting styleshout and as wolf said, the freebie site may be able to help as he's getting the refs by violating copyright, which is against the law.

But the main problem again, what proof do I need to get?

[-null-]

Since emailing didn't work perhaps mailing him will. The domain registrant is public, write him a cease and desist letter Cease and Desist Letter see if that works.

If not then you're probably stuck since without a version of your site dated prior to his you really can't prove the site is yours and I'm not sure a local copy (i.e. one on your computer) would be evidence enough for his host.

[Jon]

you contacted Web Hosting - Web Hosting Company UK - Fasthosts about it? as they are the ones hosting the site

[omairt]

I am running two other websites, and the text on them is pretty much identicle to the one I mentioned here. I am sure one of the site's has not been modified since January. And the other guy's site was set up in February. Would I be able to link this?

And, the pictures the guy is using were made to fit where ever thay have been placed. Such as the iphone pic and the ipod touch ones. And another thing, the thumb used for custom order on the 'The Freebies' page is the one I made myself. I have the PSD and all. Dunno if this strengthens the case but it does add that little bit.