Forum Moderators: not2easy
This used to be quite successful--within a few days I would hear from the website owner and they would either take the article down or credit it to the rightful owner.
However lately I'm running into more and more websites with no contact info, and the contact info in the domain whois data bounces also.
The latest trick I've seen is they use the contact email from one domain on another domain they own but the preious domain went down so there is no way to contact them.
There are some website owners and their hosts that refuse to do anything about it even with 3rd party proof.
Next I will be contacting the host. But usually these crooks host their own domains.
First, get your proofs of copyright in rock solid order. It might make sense to formally file.
Next, I'd look into how the thief is using your content to turn a profit. Contextual ads? Affiliate programs? There has to be evidence on the site itself: Affiliate code, etc.
Next, have your lawyer notify the company that is "incentivizing" the thief and sharing in the profits on his/her wrong that you will be suing not only the thief but everyone who shares in the profits derived directly and indirectly from the theft of your copyrighted materials.
Once you put the company on actual notice that they are deriving profits from you works you just might see some action. Certainly, it does that company no good - other than to reap more profits - to sit back and ignore your notice. At that point your ability to proceed may improve a bit.
Certain you wish to notify the profit source of your intention to subpoena their records to determine the identity of the thief.
There's other approaches you might take, but clearly, what you have to do is to talk to legal counsel.
Remember these wise words: "Follow the money".
Someone mailed me 8 weeks ago, asking for permission to use my photos for his commercial web site (a restaurant). I denied his request, pointing to the photo licencing guidelines and prices. The mail bounced.
Today, I checked his web site, and there they were: three of my photos (among others) in his web gallery. I looked up the owner information (different mail address!) on WHOIS and sent him a mail that has worked in the past. The mail bounced.
Now, this is one dumb guy, right? Asking for permission with an invalid mail address! I know where his restaurant is (obviously mentioned on the site), so I will send a snail mail with an invoice. That usually triggers super-fast action. :-)
PS: Probably this guy wonders why he never receives any e-mail. LOL.
