websites stealing my content

g35_coupe

g35_coupe

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So I'm browsing my Analytics app for website traffic details. I see the usual list of spam sources from places like semalt.com but see an entry from "lookcrystalclear.com". I look it up and it has a similar CF background as mine (no biggie) but his FAQ (FAQ Headlight Restoration ? Crystal Clear Auto Optics, LLC) is verbatim from mine! In a couple of answers I link my gallery and price page, so they are still directing back to my sight (hence the Analytics hits). His FAQ page is obviously pretty lengthy so I read on and also found he copied FAQ content from a Hampton Roads restoration business AND I found another link to Headlight Restoration Questions and Answers Orlando - HeadlightFacelift.com which ALSO has my FAQ verbatim. :bat: I sent an email to all 3 owners (one being the Hampton Roads guy to notify him) kindly asking them to take my info down. My site may not be fancy but it was built from scratch over time and labeled as copyrighted, so it can be pretty frustrating for them to copy and paste my stuff. We'll see what everyone says and hopefully fix things.
 
I don't blame you one bit. Your website looks great. Simple clean easy to navigate and professional. There will always be those who take short cuts.

Good luck sorting it out.
 
You may also let them know they will be contacted by your attorney (even if you do not have one) scare tactic if they don't take down your info, and you may want to watermark your pictures to keep them from using them also.
 
rmagnus said:
I don't blame you one bit. Your website looks great. Simple clean easy to navigate and professional. There will always be those who take short cuts.

Good luck sorting it out.
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Thank you for the compliment!

Black Bowtie said:
You may also let them know they will be contacted by your attorney (even if you do not have one) scare tactic if they don't take down your info, and you may want to watermark your pictures to keep them from using them also.
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I did hear back from the Hampton Roads guy and he also sent an email to the first site to remove his stuff. As of yesterday, the link I posted still pulls up his FAQ but the FAQ page is no longer on the navigation menu. The other guy still has my stuff up so I will be in touch with him again. I will definitely look into watermarking my pics.
 
Be patient, high-maintenance and assertive when it comes to competitors stealing your intellectual property. State your expectations in a way that has zero ambiguity along with timing for them to comply or the matter is referred to your lawyer. Send it certified mail; if that doesn't work then via UPS with delivery confirmation.

Most of the time, once the unscrupulous business leader sees you are following a standard process, they know you are serious and will act in accordance with their own values and you will either see results or you won't. Either way, the next step is clear for you.
 
Just want to add...WATERMARK (again)!

If you want to really drill back (on this forum), quite a few guys have been hijacked in one method or another (pics/written material)...not a good thing.

I do think that there is also a way to watermark written material with "Office" and/or "Open Office."

Good luck...

Bill
 
Water marks can be taken off very easy with photo shop. I know cause I've have a few of my photos used by other people and now don't use them. Are these other compies in your area. If not I wouldn't worry about it to much really yes it does suck with out them asking first.
 
Pureshine said:
Water marks can be taken off very easy with photo shop. I know cause I've have a few of my photos used by other people and now don't use them. Are these other compies in your area. If not I wouldn't worry about it to much really yes it does suck with out them asking first.
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Both are based out of FL and I'm in OK. The guy who still has up my stuff appears to have other shops around the country (if that much is true as well). His "corporate address" pulls up an Infiniti dealer there in FL but doing a little research doesn't show any other relation such as owning or working at the dealership. I looked through his testimonials and numerous are mine, word for word. The only thing he changed was the customer's name. So this "successful" guy blatantly stole 2 things from me and who knows what else from other businesses since a lot of things aren't adding up.
 
Just a little update for you guys about this Headlight Facelift guy. I called up the Orlando Infiniti dealer at the "corporate address" listed. They had not heard of a Steve (or Steven) Behmke, which is the supposed owner of Headlight Facelift. The dealership does offer headlight restoration but it was just in-house work by any of their techs. The service advisor was going to pass along this guy's info to her manager as to him using their address on his site. Meanwhile, I emailed "Steve" at the address listed on his website and also at the email listed on his domain's listing. I didn't receive a reply (which I had not expected) but everything he copied & pasted was removed within the last few days.
 
Nice! Now thank the person for keeping things simple between you two. Seriously, it could have been a ton worse in pain and suffering chasing this down.
 
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