The person who did the copying didn't even bother to change the name of my photo.
Great Collectibles has been online since 1996 with this same text and photo. Should I be flattered? I had this same problem with another site about 6 weeks ago. I must be one talented guy!
[ edited by GreatC on Aug 18, 2002 01:53 PM ]
posted on August 19, 2002 12:43:14 PM new
Thanks a lot. This was a serious request for some advice on how best to handle this. I don't see how I could have described the problem with any more clarity than to post the obvious duplication of my page. What I didn't need was a bunch of spam cans which, in effect, accuse me of trying to advertise my website when I was simply asking for advice from any message board reader who might have anything more to offer than wise acre comments with html. Believe me, I have learned my lesson so please feel free to scroll for other places to offer "constructive help".
posted on August 19, 2002 12:59:08 PM new
If it's just the wording that is the same, I would send them an email and ask for a link to your site. It's the least they can do.
posted on August 19, 2002 01:24:57 PM new
bestattic If you got the URL and scroll down and over to the right you will se a picture of an Franciscan apple platter with a apple pitcher in front of it along with some apple shakers. That is the picture they STOLE right off my website and also the ALL the wording ion that same page is every word on my page WORD FOR WORD. I do not even see why they would have the apple dinnerware there except for the fact they stole my page and had to at least do the picture I would think since people would wonder why on earth they were talking about apple dinnerware when they have prehaps the Franciscan tile in the court house they certainly would have nothing to do with the apple dinnerware so why steal my words word for word and also my picture.
You have to scan over to the right tio see the picture they stole.
posted on August 19, 2002 02:36:04 PM new
It is kind of ironic, that the courthouse website is stealing copyrighted information and pictures (you do hold copyrights)? Anyhow, I would write them a polite note requesting credit for the page, and and link (if that would satisfy you), or requesting removal of the page if that is what you want. If they do not comply, send the request to the city's attorney, the mayor, the members of the city council, so on. Find as many people as you can in the city and send the request to them. If you raise enough of a stink, you will get it.
posted on August 19, 2002 05:36:32 PM new
eMail them to take it down, if they don't, send the proper take down notice form to their ISP. The ISP must then take it down or face vicarious infringement liability. If the the people who "stole" your picture dispute your claim, then it's off to the lawyers and courts if you have the money.
posted on August 20, 2002 08:47:28 AM new
I would like to thank everyone for the suggestions. I wouldn't mind someone using parts of the information or even the photo. It would be nice if they asked but I am not so petty as to try to patrol the net over copying parts of my site or a photo here and there. I do resent someone (who was probably paid a significant amount) simply copying my entire page and the photo. Also, when anyone searches for Apple Franciscan, that page and my page are going to come up, leaving doubt about who the author really was. Who would think the Courthouse for Santa Barbara county would do something like that. It makes them look ridiculous because the Apple dinnerware information fits perfectly with my overall site but has no real connection to the Courthouse site. I can only assume that Gladding McBean (who made Franciscan dinnerware) made the tile shown in the other photos on the Courthouse site. I can re-do the page (which apparently this designer can't) but not before I try to get them to change it. The irony of a justice system that stoops to plagarism (or at least allows it in their name) doesn't escape me.
