Copyright Infringement

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by ElvisFan, Oct 12, 2005.

  1. #1
    Someone just scrapped several pages off my site... the bad news is I lost my google raking for that particular keyword... I don't understand why google has penalised me... as my site it the older one... yet the scrapper site got a better ranking... Why can't google figure out that an older site must be the original...

    Trying to get a message across to these scrapper is a daunting task... how in the hell do I contact them with a very angry message of copyright infringement....

    thanks,
     
    ElvisFan, Oct 12, 2005 IP
  2. ajayr

    ajayr Active Member

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    #2
    Look for their contact info in their website/domain whois and try sending them an e-mail. If you do not get any response, send an e-mail to their host explaining your position. That will (hopefully) take care of them.
     
    ajayr, Oct 12, 2005 IP
  3. ElvisFan

    ElvisFan Peon

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    #3
    Just got rid of one pesky scrapper... with a quick note to the host... however, got several more to do... Like I really have the energy to do this... with so many.... I just wish they would ask first... I am willing to make a deal... Alas, better get on to it... thanks,
     
    ElvisFan, Oct 12, 2005 IP
  4. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #4
    You are on the right path.

    Remember, you can not take legal action for "copyright infringement" unless you have officially registered the item(s) with the U.S. Copyright office.

    So if you have not done so, writing hosts is the best idea.
     
    marketjunction, Oct 13, 2005 IP
  5. Smyrl

    Smyrl Tomato Republic Staff

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    #5
    I do not believe this is so. What I do believe is if you have a copyright notice on your intellectual property and can prove that it existed prior to the existance of material copied you have grounds to win in a legal situation.

    Shannon

    See: http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ66.html#general from which I quote:

    Under U.S. law, copyright protection subsists from the time the work is fixed. Copyright registration is not mandatory, but it has important benefits. For general information about copyright, request Circular 1, “Copyright Basics.” See “For Further Information” on page 4 on how to obtain circulars and other information.

    Unfortunately you need to be a copyright lawyer to keep up with all they why's and wherefores. I think marketjucntion picked up on something I missed. ElvisFan in from Australia.
     
    Smyrl, Oct 13, 2005 IP
  6. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #6
    I appreciate the fact that you disagree with me, however, the U.S. Copyright office states:

    That's why I put "copyright infringement" in quotes.

    Of course, this applies for America only.
     
    marketjunction, Oct 13, 2005 IP
  7. aeiouy

    aeiouy Peon

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    #7
    Just to throw in a few cents.. You can take legal action for anything.

    Nothing about registering your works prevents you from taking legal action against someone for copyright infringement.
     
    aeiouy, Oct 13, 2005 IP
  8. marketjunction

    marketjunction Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Remember that the law is a very language specific animal. Again, I put "copyright infringement" in quotes for a reason and you can't sue for "copyright infringement" without a proper registration.

    You can sue someone for copying your work in lower courts, but it would not be the same thing.
     
    marketjunction, Oct 13, 2005 IP