Web Plagiarism

[A1DL]

I am aware that several members of this forum have fallen victim to web plagiarism over recent months.

Last week alone, I sent warnings to no less than four domain owners for copyright infringement.

It would be naive to think this problem will ever be eradicated - it won't. In my experience the only solution is for site owners to take an active and ongoing zero-tolerance approach to protect what's theirs, (the cyberspace equivalent of employing an intimidating security guard & CCTV)

However, what is really disappointing is when members of this forum steal content from other forum members' sites. To me, that's like nicking a neighbour's wallet down your local pub, which IMHO is morally and ethically a lot worse than a thirsty alcoholic stealing a can of beer from a supermarket (not that I condone the latter!)

My understanding is that forum rule no. 17 (below) covers the MDD's stance on this matter, since it prohibits the posting of or illegally obtained copyrighted content, and linking to same.

17. No warez, cracks, serials or illegally obtained copyrighted content please! Links to content of a questionable nature, asking for, offering, or asking for help/helping to process such content in any way or form will not be tolerated.

However, in the current climate, with plagiarism on the increase, I wonder if the forum rules should be updated to specifically refer to plagiarism, with tough consequences (i.e. one warning then banning) for offenders?

If we can eradicate the problem within the MDD membership, that can only be a positive.

Opinions, guys & gals? Let's discuss.

Tony

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Unfortunately Tony, I have also had this happen to me recently and also from members of this site, one of whom accused me of all sorts of things that weren't true.

I'm not sure how you'd stop it, though I did hear mention of some new European law that is supposed to help?

[Daryll]

web plagiarism, seems to be on the increase, dont ask me why , some people are lazy or cant be bothered to pay for a decent designer, or spend the time learning how to DIY,
By the way Darren how did you get on with the site across the pond which was a 100% rip of yours ?.

I asked a member (think it was here) if I could use their T&C and alter it for myself, there was no problem, asking is far better that stealing.

Cheers

Daryll

[Have a disco]

If any one want to plagerism my site I believe my site designers will certainly do them for copyrite theft as they are a big company in there own right they monitor my site along with anyone else whom may copy them and they will prosecute them according ly for theft of Ideas etc etc DEVMAC SYSTEM s will deal with any plagerism on my behalf on or at any level as that is what I pay for?????

Now if anyone is paying for a site simular to mine via DEVMAC then fine I dont mind to a degree as long as they do not copy my wording or content

[A1DL]

If any one want to plagerism my site I believe my site designers will certainly do them for copyrite theft as they are a big company in there own right they monitor my site along with anyone else whom may copy them and they will prosecute them according ly for theft of Ideas etc etc DEVMAC SYSTEM s will deal with any plagerism on my behalf on or at any level as that is what I pay for?????

Now if anyone is paying for a site simular to mine via DEVMAC then fine I dont mind to a degree as long as they do not copy my wording or content

Clifford, any chance of punctuating and spell checking all that?

[rob1963]

Clifford, any chance of punctuating and spell checking all that?

I doubt it!

[Shaun]

However, in the current climate, with plagiarism on the increase, I wonder if the forum rules should be updated to specifically refer to plagiarism, with tough consequences (i.e. one warning then banning) for offenders?




Not a bad idea. Personally, I think taking a tougher stance on plagiarists is needed. I've been the victim of it a good half dozen times or so too. Banning, followed by removal from the directory, and if that doesn't work...castration with rusty scissors.

All those in favour say aye! :d

[rob1963]

Not a bad idea. Personally, I think taking a tougher stance on plagiarists is needed. I've been the victim of it a good half dozen times or so too. Banning, followed by removal from the directory, and if that doesn't work...castration with rusty scissors.

All those in favour say aye! :d

Aye!

[A1DL]

Banning, followed by removal from the directory, and if that doesn't work...castration with rusty scissors.

All those in favour say aye! :d

Aye!

[rob1963]

My site doesn't even use a template...it's 100% original!

:D :D :D

[Vectis]

My site ...it's 100% original!


You can say that again :D

Shaun - Aye

[Marc J]

some people are lazy or cant be bothered to pay for a decent designer, or spend the time learning how to DIY,

You have to remember that most designers will have one charge for design and unique content, and another (much lower price) for just design. In fact most will only give you one option - £xxx for design with all graphic and text content supplied by the client (i.e. you).

Look up what it costs to get a professional copy writer to write all your content, or a marketing firm, and you'll realise that there's no way that cost can be included in most web design quotes you will get.

Unless you're paying top dollar, you and you alone are responsible for the content on your site. If you're paying for design only and you get content with it, there's a high chance it's "borrowed" from somewhere else - I do this myself when putting a design proposal to clients, I either fill it with "Lorem Ipsum...." or grab some relevant content from a quick Google - however I always make it clear to the client where the "borrowed" content came from and that it shouldn't be published as is.

Far too often people expect web designers to come up with pages and pages of content for them. They always get the same response from me - nobody knows your business better than you. I've designed a lot of sites for a lot of large companies, and if I was able to write all the copy for all of them I would be making a living as a copy writer, not a web designer, as it's much better paid :)

Rant over :bang:


If any one want to plagerism my site I believe my site designers will certainly do them for copyrite theft...[snip]...DEVMAC SYSTEM s will deal with any plagerism on my behalf on or at any level as that is what I pay for?????

Are you sure about that? Great for you if that's the case, but I'd be very surprised if it is....


Now if anyone is paying for a site simular to mine via DEVMAC then fine I dont mind to a degree as long as they do not copy my wording or content

So you don't mind DEVMAC copying your site, as long as it's not your wording or content? Which only leaves the design / layout! That's very kind of you, but they don't actually need your permission as they own the design (and use it on most of their sites (http://www.devmac.co.uk/example_sites.htm) :eek:)!

[Corabar Steve]

AYE! (Can I bring the scissors?)

[Tom]

All those in favour say aye! :d

Aye!
Aye! and one for luck...





AYE!

[rob1963]

Looks like the ayes have it!

:D

[CRAZY K]

Looks like the ayes have it!

:D

Aye!!!!!!!!!!!

No one seems to have stolen anything off my site--

That tells me something--

:cry: :cry: :cry:

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

Aye!!!!!!!!!!!

No one seems to have stolen anything off my site--

That tells me something--

:cry: :cry: :cry:

CRAZY K

Yes...it tells you that they don't have the bottle to mess with the one and only Crazy K!

:D :D :D

[Candybeatdiscos]

Maybees Aye, Maybees Naw...But I'll go for aye

[CRAZY K]

Yes...it tells you that they don't have the bottle to mess with the one and only Crazy K!

:D :D :D

That wasnt what I had in mind:rolleyes:

CRAZY K

[rob1963]

That wasnt what I had in mind:rolleyes:

CRAZY K

I know! :rolleyes:

[Have a disco]

Yea? ................,,,,, !!!!!!! punctuated enuff LOL!!!!!!!