Content from site that is offline

[Lukas]

What is the legality of using content or articles that "was" at a site and now that site is offline permanently or temporarily?

Thanks

By the way, I would not take a chance and use or re-phrase the article(s). I don't like G or Y penalties or the thought of being canceled by the big article directories from copying someone else's work verbatim.

[jhmattern]

The copyright holder doesn't give up their rights just because a site's now offline. You can't legally use it without their permission.