Suggestions on Dealing with "Preview" & Copyright

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by YMC, Jul 28, 2011.

  1. #1
    I recently found another website who posted an entire page if mine (navigation, ad codes, images, text - EVERYTHING) on their site. Their webhost is claiming since the page displayed is accompanied by the words "Site Preview" and includes a link to my site that it is somehow OK.

    Everything that I've ever read stated that this would indeed be infringement.

    The other site is commercial (it has Adsense), could easily be classified as a competitor, does not provide any editorial or other commentary regarding my site and they certainly do not have my permission to repost my entire page!

    I fired back a letter to the host explaining copyright law with several links to the copyright.gov website and a few university websites. I haven't heard back yet.

    Has anyone seen anything that by simply calling something a "preview" it totally negates copyright law and turns this into some perverted case of fair use?

    BTW, this site appears to have scraped over 13,000 pages from other sites. I suppose that I should be glad that they have only stolen one from me but the webhost's response really has me shocked.
     
    YMC, Jul 28, 2011 IP
  2. mjewel

    mjewel Prominent Member

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    #2
    Adding "Site Preview" does not get around copyright infringement ... and least not in the manner you have described. Adding a link does nothing. File a proper DMCA notice with their host. You can also file one with Google to get it removed from their indexing.
     
    mjewel, Jul 28, 2011 IP
  3. contentboss

    contentboss Peon

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    #3
    excellent advice as always from the Jewel.
     
    contentboss, Aug 1, 2011 IP
  4. YMC

    YMC Well-Known Member

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    #4
    They begrudgingly took my stuff down. I doubt they believe they are doing anything wrong or simply don't care. The site owner blamed their administrator. They didn't even sign their email so I suspect they, themselves are their own administrator. Sadly, the rest of the site remains exactly as it was. I suspect since I no longer have 'skin in the game' that any further actions on my part could lead me open to litigation.

    I keep debating on reporting them to Adsense but again, since my stuff is down I don't know how it would be received.

    This sort of thing drives me up the wall. I just want to reach across the miles and punch them out. How dare they steal from me or anyone else for that matter!
     
    YMC, Aug 2, 2011 IP