Question about competition and copyright

[cgchris99]

I have been running a site for 3 years that is basically and event calendar for a niche event market. The site lists events for this niche that occur throughout the year in the U.S.

I just found out the "trade association" is going to be building a competing site that lists most of the same information my site does.

Legally, do I have any way I can stop them from doing this?

Does anyone have any tips so I can continue to keep my market share?

[JeremyL]

Sounds like you are talking about information that is public knowlede in some way or another. As long as they put it in thier own words and do not plagerize your content there is nothing you can do.

[cgchris99]

I guessed that was the case. It's just frustrating. Having no competition was nice while it lasted.

Now I have to figure out how to beat them and keep my market share.

I have already started some print advertising but so did they. They also have a bigger advertising budget than I do.

The main advantage I have is that I have been doing it for 3 years and already have a following. They have a handful of listings and I have 3000+

Maybe I should look at it from a users perspective. How can I make it even more attractive for them to visit.

Maybe I offer them monthly prize give aways or something like that.

[ControlEngineer]

You could talk to the trade association about the cost of their web site and how, by endorsing your site and perhaps providing some content, they could save money.

From my experience, a trade association will probably have some high price consultant do the work and end up spending more on their site than you spend on yours.

[cgchris99]

They asked me to manage thier site. However, why would I want to give up my own to help them?

I use mine to help draw me business as well as providing a free service. Helping them will hurt my business in the long run.

[BigDave]

I use mine to help draw me business as well as providing a free service. Helping them will hurt my business in the long run.

Not helping them might also hurt you in the long run.

Instead of just saying "no", see if you can come up with a mutually beneficial deal.

if you put the same info on your site and their site, which is going to happen whether or not you are involved, you can make sure that it is in a format that won't be dinged for duplicate content.

You will also need to arrange for some sort of "credit" for your work, which can add up to a mighty fine link from that big site.

[alika]

Develop some sort of strategic partnership with them -- they're the trade association, you're the guy doing this for quite some time. When they launch their site, why do you think people would go to you, and not to what is commonly perceived as the "authority" in the field?

Keep your communication lines open, and find ways how the two of you can benefit without you buckling up.

[cgchris99]

I agree a partnership would be nice. Except, what benefit do I have in helping them. If they achieve their goal, my site becomes obsolete.

This means no more advertisers, sales, or revenue on my end.

[john_k]

If they achieve their goal, my site becomes obsolete.

It sounds like they will achieve their goal, with or without your help. If you help them, then there may be some silver lining in it for you. Perhaps you are paid to manage their site? Perhaps the calendar pages would simply defer to your site?

Working with them leaves the door open for you. Not working with them will close it.

[alika]

Monopoly is good while it lasts :o)

First off, what will the trade association offer? Will it be the same exact information, presented in the same exact format?

If yes, then you better rethink of ways to differentiate yourself. You will need to seriously think of other information your audience may want in addition or combined with your database. If you have no clue, I suggest investing some time creating a short survey asking your customers directly what more do they want to see in your site; what other information they need, etc. A short and sweet survey guaranteed to get your customer's pulse. You need to have something over and beyond what the association will have.

If no, then you're in luck. You can discuss ways with the association to link to your content, or even better yet, to endorse your site should they need the information that you have that the association will not have.

If you don't rethink your products & develop new strategies, be prepared to fight it out in terms of marketing to make sure that the audience comes to you, and not the association when looking for this type of info. Be prepared to spend and work hard on marketing

[cgchris99]

alika,

thanks for the information. You posted almost exactly what I have been thinking. It's nice to have confirmation that we are on the right track.