Liane - 4:55 am on Apr 16, 2005 (gmt 0)

I had an interesting exchange today with someone who stole my content and then asked for a link exchange!

This webmaster first stole a map of mine and used it as his most prominent feature on his home page. He then stole a photo and used that on a secondary page.

His website is "home grown" and far from professioanl looking, but he is in business just the same. So I wrote him and asked him in no uncertain terms to remove both my map and my photo.

He wrote back within 12 hours stating that he would respond within 24 hours. The upshot was that within 48 hours, he had removed both my map and my photo ... but he then said "First, I apologize for using your map. It has been replaced with my map.

If we can be friends now, how about putting a link and mention of (my site) on your page and I will put your link on my page?

I wrote back and said:

Good afternoon Mr. (Somebody),

Thank you for removing my map and the photo of Vinny.

Once your web site has been running for more than 6 months to a year and provided I hear good things about how reliable your service is, I will actively promote it to my clients and will add your link to my site. I may even add a full page as I have done for other services such as (this guy) and (that guy).

I do not participate in reciprocal link programmes and do not require a link to my site for adding your link. I believe in linking as a way of promoting a good web site with a good (my area) based business. If you wish to link to my site, by all means go ahead but please don’t make linking to you a requirement. I link to other (my area) businesses because they offer a valid service which may benefit my clients.

I do not sell or offer for sale anything other than (what I sell), but thanks for the offer.

Regards,
Liane

--

I was blown away by the boldness of this guy! He stole from me and still had the brass to ask for a link and my friendship after the fact!

WO!

Hello ... do you recognize the fact that I am pissed with you to begin with? Now you want me to link to you ... and you have the nerve to make it a reciprocal link request? This guy has absolutely no idea of decorum. None whatsoever!

But you have to give him credit, he had the b#@@s to ask! The answer he got wasn't what he had hoped for ... but the fact of the matter is, his service is important to my industry and I would likely have listed his site on mine without any link request of any kind. Now however, I will likely wait 6 months to a year before giving him the link he wants ... but if he stays in business (which is questionable) I will definitely link to him regardless of whether or not he gives a link back to my site.

Why? His service will benefit my customers. That is the only reason I will give anyone a link ... full stop.!