Reporting content thieves

[donstar]

Some one has copied our entire site using website copier. It hurts to see our hardwork being stolen :(
Where do I mail google about this to avoid duplicate content penalty?

[Marcia]

The answers to the content and copyright issue were given in this thread in the Adsense forum:

[webmasterworld.com...]

That said, I can relate a personal experience that's somewhat loosely related. I came across totally fraudulent AdSense ads - said "Ads by Google" but was in fact direct links to either client sites of the SEO or links sold for PR (or traffic).

It was hard to decipher at first look, so when I clicked on the "Ads by Google" and there was a form to fill out I did so best I could, with a brief explanation.

Next day I got curious and started checking the whole site and its backlinks out further, since I'd come across it because they were linking to a client site on one of their links pages. It turned out it was part of a network of sites that some would consider "spam" - which had nothing to do with the original form which I'd submitted for another reason.

I got Google's standardardized type of email response a day or two later, thanking me and saying it had been forwarded to engineering.

So upon further checking with sites like that there can sometimes be a lot more than meets the eye at first. It may be worth your while to check further and see what else you can uncover about the site and then take it further from there.

[donstar]

Thanks Marcia.

He has also taken over 150 'hidden links' from a Government website. I have sent you a sticky mail.

regards
donstar

regards

[donstar]

ooops sorry Marcia, I could not send sticky mail, your mailbox seems full.

I shall also inform other sites from where he has stolen content. Over two dozen of them, more maybe.
His domain is registered in Oct 2003 and he seems to be content stealing for adsense sake.

To inflate his PR quickly, he has managed to get over 150 hidden links from a Government site.

Since his 'hidden' links are on Government website ( only visible in source code), I would need to inform federal authorities in my country.

thanks for your help Marcia,
donstar

[DVDBurning]

donstar,
I had this happen to me also. I understand your frustration. First, go to [google.com...] and follow Google's procedure to file an infringement claim. This has to be done by fax or mail... not e-mail. Next, document the infringement by making a copy of the infringing website. Look up IP address, and do a reverse IP search to find out who the web host or ISP is. File a copyright infringement complaint with the web host or ISP. I'm not sure what country you are in, but in the US the DMCA gives the ISP or web host immunity from copyright infringement claims if they take reasonable actions to stop the infringement when notified. If they are smart, they will investigate and shut down the offending website. If they are not smart, they could find themselves liable also. Pursue the ISP or web hosting company vigorously. Call them on the phone. If you aren't happy with the response, try to talk to the top management.

In my case, the infringing webmaster copied my content to several websites, and when I had one web host shut him down, he moved the same site with my content to another web host. I had to pursue it for weeks, but finally got it removed.

Good luck.