Someone trying to steal my content?

[dan_popescu]

This guy has been browsing through my pages for two hours now. He's not spending much time on neither page, but kinda visiting every single one. I think he's steeling my content. What do you think? And what shoud I do to stop him?

Thank you,
Dan

[fathom]

He could also be bookmarking each page, saving to destop for personal convenience or about twenty other ethical reasons.

Wait a month and then do a search for a "long query string of text" from each page. If they have indeed infringed on your copyrights then the timestamp will tell the tale.

However, if you not prepare to spend time in court (or paid costs) to protect yourself, the only thing left is the threat of such action.

Other than this... there's not much left, but taking your content off the web.

[dan_popescu]

Fathom
Thanks

Hopefully it is for an ethical reason.

Dan

[cornwall]

However, if you not prepare to spend time in court (or paid costs) to protect yourself, the only thing left is the threat of such action.
Other than this... there's not much left, but taking your content off the web.

There is an alternative

You can take the matter up with the guys ISP if they use your content. On the couple of occasions that I have had such a problem, I have found that this works. Ethical ISPs will warn un-ethical clients off. (does not stop them going to another ISP and starting again - but are they likely to?).

[fathom]

Good point cornwall.

I do recall one situation that this worked nicely (Believe it or not) the culprit was a government agency.

[shimon]

it's an odd pattern of behaviour certainly

one question - and by this i mean no disrespect whatsoever - is: would anyone really want to steal your content? by that i don't mean 'is it good enough' i mean 'is it actually reuseable and generally applicable enough to make it worth this persons while to steal it at all'

still it's not a nice thought, but that's the way the web works. i had some *very* nice images - architectural renderings - stolen (well, used on another site with no permission or no credit) and while it feels unpleasant i kind of think that if i really didn't want that to happen, i wouldn't have put them on the web in the first place, and it would be a shame if people felt that way because then the web would be very boring

[fathom]

In one way I share a similar view shimon.

Copyright and copyright statements is much like a locked door - it only helps keep honest people honest.

You can only "cost effectively" protect yourself so much -- and regardless how "wrong" it is -- on the web people knowingly and unknowingly (don't really think about it as stealing) take other's valued copy, imagery, or anything else for their own benefits.

Unless you are prepared to use the legal system (or other innovative means) to their fullest extend, it's best the remove such information for your own protection.