Retail Sites Stealing My Content - Really Need Advice

[Boogalou]

Hey guys,

I've been doing this awhile now and am used to emailing cease and desists, contacting hosts, etc..

I own an authority site in a commercial sector. The site is fairly old. I recently had one of my newest articles stolen (it's usually the older stuff) that ranks #1 for a very competitive term.

I loaded up my cease and desist form letters then went to the way back machine to find the exact date I wrote the stolen article and come to find out, it appears they're not archiving past 08 early 09 anymore?

And after doing some searching found out that the way back machine records won't hold up in court anyway?

So my question is, how the heck do I prove the content is mine? I'd always thought the archive would protect me. Apparently a poor man's reg won't work either(letter to self).

So how do you protect your work?

So I contact the host of the offending sites, the sites are taken down, then they sue me? How on earth would I defend myself against these thieves?

Should I just send my C&D's and if somehow it goes to court, just stand and hope the truth prevails?

I guess for now on I'll make weekly hard backups of my stuff but I'm not even sure if that would protect me.

Meh, thieves are simply rotten on the inside. Can't stand them.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[rogerd]

Print out dated copies. If you are really paranoid, go to your bank or someplace where they have a free notary public (U.S.) and have them stamped & dated. I'm not a lawyer, but I have not seen a case where a copy thief sued the author and prevailed. Not that it couldn't happen.

[proboscis]

If you are in the US, you could register the site with copyright office every so often. I don't think it costs very much and then you are well protected if you ever have to go to court.

[Boogalou]

Appreciate the replies gentlemen.

I'm seeing a lawyer next week. I've just had it with this nonsense. I spend 5 hours writing a quality article and they blatantly steal it.

I may go ahead an register with the copyright office and then just sue the bejeebus out of everyone that has stolen my material. Considering that the sites (I've found 10 with minimal effort) are retail, they may have some strong financial backing.

I'm wondering if anyone has made any money suing content thieves? Is it worth the effort?

[proboscis]

I really can't believe the nerve of some people sometimes. It might be worth it just for the satisfaction. Anyway, let us know how it turns out.