Exact copy of the website

[Artstart]

Here is the situation:

I have one competing company who I've been battling for a while now. Recently their entire site was copied. I don't mean that someone made a site that looks like theirs, but EXACT copy to the last letter. The only difference is that the domain name is plural.

Last night they called me and blamed me for doing this. It didn't take me long to convince them otherwise. At first I broke out with a hysterical laugh, but then actually I started feeling sorry for them and wanting to help the best I can.

Domain name is registered through one of the proxy registration companies in Phoenix Arizona that does not disclose owners name.

What would be your suggestion to my competitors?

The most intriguing part is that this website sells very niche products which differs from manufacturer to manufacturer greatly and consists of at least 1500 items. There are only three companies that produce very similar products - us, this company whose website was carbon copied and another small company which sells mostly on eBay. We did not do it and the other guys are just not smart enough for this.

I am trying to figure out who would actually do something like this? There is no redirecting pages or any other form of third part involvement. The only reasonable idea I could come up with was that people who copied the website planed to annoy the company for a while, try to steal as much traffic from the as possible and then try to sell this website to them.....

If anybody's interested in urls, drop me a sticky. I can assure you you'll be amazed.

Art

[Shakil]

1st point of call in my opinion should be:

1, Approach the Hosting company asking them to remove the content as its passing off.

2, Hit the Domain registrar with a domain query informing them off legal action etc etc.

To be honest, in a situation like this, tough measures are needed and will get the results that the company requires.

Shak

[cornwall]

Artstart

If you follow this lead

[webmasterworld.com...]

You will find a discussion on the subject

Then try the WebmasterWorld index for sinilar discussions, there is masses in the index that will either help or advise!

[hurlimann]

I would suggest serving the host and the US based engines with a notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

Google sets out how to do this at [google.com...]

It is very strong and is free save for the fax and the time it takes to type it out.