Copyright Infringement - someone copied my site

[Pen Tongue]

Just went to a URL that was a forum full of the content of one of my sites.

What does one do about this? Stiff letter? Their site is ahead of ours in the SERPs on one major for one term which is unfathomable to me, but beside the point.

Anyone had an experience similar to this?

- PT

[Lever]

You do have a copyright symbol and statement on your site don't you?

[vlead]

About 3 years back someone copied my homepage content... I found out from G SERPs... first I thought my site was listed twice but then I saw the different URL :eek:

I called up that guy and stormed at him... the page was changed within a few hours :cool:

[dazzlindonna]

http://www.copyscape.com/protect.php gives good advice on this.

[Cricket]

You do have a copyright symbol and statement on your site don't you?

"The use of a copyright notice is no longer required under U. S. law, although it is often beneficial. Because prior law did contain such a requirement, however, the use of notice is still relevant to the copyright status of older works."

U.S. Copyright Office - Copyright Basics (http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#wwp)
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#wwp

[The Rev]

Most folks cease and desist after a firm letter. I'd try that first, just to play nice. If that didn't work, if you have a lawyer friend have them send a letter on their office letter head. It also never hurts to file a complaint with Google. They're usually pretty good at responding. ;)

[Pen Tongue]

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback. Copyright is there, but from what I gather, none too relevant. Anyhow...I was offered a very useful search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&domains=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.highrankings.com&q=copyright+infringement&btnG=Search&sitesearch=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.highrankings.com) on the topic. This link/article (www.highrankings.com/issue048.htm) covers the goods - it's about halfway down the page.

Thanks again to each of you.

- Pt