What would you do?
Ok..... here's the scenario...
Someone has stolen and used my content.
This, I can deal with and have plenty of experience in copyright infringement, DMCA and getting stolen content removed, etc.
I've complained to the necessary sources and several pages have already been taken down, accounts suspended with article directories, Web 2.0s and pages de-indexed by Google, etc.
I'm currently waiting for more pages to be actioned by the big G and 'friends'.
But, tonight I found out that this person/company is offering their SEO services here, on the Warrior Forum!
AND, immediately, I can see that this person/company has at least 2 accounts, which they are using to promote their services as 'satisfied customers' - one comments straight after the other in at least one thread!
I have been told by this person that my content hasn't been copied (which clearly it has, or no action would have been taken by anyone). Although dreadfully spun, to within an inch of its life in some cases, the content they are using is 100% mine. And, I know that they are also using other people's content in the same way.
This person/company told me in a very arrogant email that, basically, it was there for taking and they have a 'right' to use it.
I will take my annoyance/inconvenience/frustration at having my content stolen and copied out of the equation. But, what would you do?
1. Do nothing, which doesn't sit right with me because that leaves other people potentially paying $xx each month for SEO services which are more likely to harm their websites than help them?
2. Would you name and shame?
3. Would you do nothing for the moment until all traces of your own copied content have been removed because, despite it being pointed out to this person what they are doing, they are carrying on regardless -and with even more of a heads up they can remove/amend their copy so that Big G won't be any the wiser?
4. Just do nothing and try to accept it's part of life where IM is concerned and that the people who own/use these 2nd rate services will actually help us genuine IMers by causing problems for themselves?
PS this isn't a hypothetical question, it's a real situation for me at the minute and I would appreciate some advice/feedback.
Someone has stolen and used my content.
This, I can deal with and have plenty of experience in copyright infringement, DMCA and getting stolen content removed, etc.
I've complained to the necessary sources and several pages have already been taken down, accounts suspended with article directories, Web 2.0s and pages de-indexed by Google, etc.
I'm currently waiting for more pages to be actioned by the big G and 'friends'.
But, tonight I found out that this person/company is offering their SEO services here, on the Warrior Forum!
AND, immediately, I can see that this person/company has at least 2 accounts, which they are using to promote their services as 'satisfied customers' - one comments straight after the other in at least one thread!
I have been told by this person that my content hasn't been copied (which clearly it has, or no action would have been taken by anyone). Although dreadfully spun, to within an inch of its life in some cases, the content they are using is 100% mine. And, I know that they are also using other people's content in the same way.
This person/company told me in a very arrogant email that, basically, it was there for taking and they have a 'right' to use it.
I will take my annoyance/inconvenience/frustration at having my content stolen and copied out of the equation. But, what would you do?
1. Do nothing, which doesn't sit right with me because that leaves other people potentially paying $xx each month for SEO services which are more likely to harm their websites than help them?
2. Would you name and shame?
3. Would you do nothing for the moment until all traces of your own copied content have been removed because, despite it being pointed out to this person what they are doing, they are carrying on regardless -and with even more of a heads up they can remove/amend their copy so that Big G won't be any the wiser?
4. Just do nothing and try to accept it's part of life where IM is concerned and that the people who own/use these 2nd rate services will actually help us genuine IMers by causing problems for themselves?
PS this isn't a hypothetical question, it's a real situation for me at the minute and I would appreciate some advice/feedback.
Founder of JVZoo. All around good guy :)