I met Darwin today!!

[cleonard]

I've just got to share this with you all.

Of the many things I do, one is I run a website that in additon to other things offers a web award for outstanding websites.

I was reviewing the nomination submissions today and clicked on one site and really really liked it. Mainly because I designed it!

Some guy ripped a site I designed including all the original artwork I spent hundreds of hours developing and put it up as his own.

. . . Now he wants me to give him an award for it.

Needless to say I wrote him back and indicated that I really liked his site because it was all MY material. And I felt because of that action . . . his site did not meet the criteria for the award.

Oh, and BTW . . . you have until March 31, 2006 at 23:59 EST (GMT -5) [for those of you abroad (also 31/3/06] to remove all my original content from the site or face prosecution per the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 along with reporting to the server owner and the domain registrar of such infringement.

Got to love it. I'd pay to see his face when he opens the email. Can't wait for the reply!!

[bootNumlock]

chris...
what is your site award -- i might like to submit an entry. also... pm the original and the rip -- i am always interested in seeing how this stuff takes place and often forget to check my own stuff to see if it get's lifted.

bob

[mresell]

People are amazing. I think the difficult part is actually finding ripped content or images. Seems like content would be easier. Were they in the US?

[cleonard]

Yep they're in the US. I don't want to post the URL in the forum for various reasons, but boot . . . you've got mail. You be the judge.

This is the 4th time I've caught someone stealing that particular site. Probably because it's got such good google ratings and the like if you're searching for its contents.

I used to get mad . . . I just think this guy wanting an award is funny!!

[mresell]

I understand. Yeah getting mad doesn't do anything.

[cleonard]

hehehe . . .

That didn't take long. Their site is disappearing quickly as we speak.

[Silverbug]

haha classic. are you willing to post the original site, so we can copy...er i mean view it?

[awen]

Yeah hey, I'm always looking to copy a good site! *S*

I'm really glad this guy responded to your threat and you didn't have to follow thru. That can get pretty messy.

On one hand, you should be flattered that your site is being cloned like that. It really must be a good design. Of course on the other hand it simply doesn't do any of the site owners any good to have several sites out there that look the same. You might explain that to the site owner, and offer to help them rebuild their site with original content. (For a fee of course, and make sure you get paid up front.)

[mresell]

Awen,
Thieves are thieves. Someone stealing a site is not going to pay someone to do it right. Now an exception might be a poor choice hired someone, still doubtful.I have had clients who were willing to steal, but wanted their stuff protected, of course. It is amazing that people think just because you can it's ok. Actually, I think it is that they think no one will know.

[cleonard]

A little update gang.

I checked out the site tonight and all reminents of my design and artwork are gone. Never heard back from the guy, but looks like he took the higher road. Course maybe the email copied to a law office did the trick too.

Now, the big decision. Do I give his OLD site design that he's put back up the award??

I think it'd be funny.

[awen]

True, but it might be possible he didn't realize what he was doing was illegal, or "that bad".

I've come across a lot of people online from all walks of life, and many are D-U-M-M, DUMB! It's an intellectual flaw... a mental handicap.

As your signature tag line states, the best and worst parts of the internet are the people.

If this guy is a thief, then he's beyond hope. But, if he's just dumb and needs a helping hand, or even a mentor, he could become your next protoge' given a chance.

Personally I think given the fact that he was looking for a site award indicates he's either a newbie, a kid, or lost in the 90's when such things were all "the rage". No offense intended towards you on this, but consider how many professional sites have "site awards" on them these days. That sort of thing went out along with "This site looks best in Internet Explorer 3.01/Netscape" and certain screen dimensions.

We were all newbies once. Maybe that's all this is.

[generic]

Also dont forget, that some designers copy a lot and if your a client buying a design, you may not even know.

[mresell]

Well that is what I meant by poor choice for hire.If they hired someone that did that that is another story. Awen, I know what you saying, I politely set paying customers straight. However, I never believe that people are really that dumb they just want to play dumb. You learn at a very early age that taking something is wrong nevermind the copyright statements.