I'm getting tired of people stealing my website...

Picus · 10-23-07, 09:42

This month I've had to contact three different detailers about copying parts of my website verbatim, along with hot linking pictures. I'd like some insight on how people can think this is ok, and what you guys generally do in these situations. One of the offending sites removed the content, the other two have not.

SpoiledMan · 10-23-07, 09:55

Oh wait.....I'll take it down right now.

Just kidding!

rjstaaf · 10-23-07, 10:02

Depending on what kind of access you have to your server and what OS it runs there are ways to prevent or at least make it very difficult to hotlink images from your website.

There is no way though to prevent them from stealing your images and hosting them somewhere else. Once your page loads in the browser the images will be in the browser cache so those java tricks to prevent right clicking are pretty much useless for that.

prevent hotlink - Google Search

Another trick that I have seen used effectively is to slice up the images into four or more equal parts and put them together again using a table. That way when they try and steal your image or even hotlink to it they will only get a piece of it unless they get the corresponding table html. Obviously though since they are too lazy to create their own content, they are likely too lazy to go through the hassle of trying to use your images with this method.

Danase · 10-23-07, 10:06

I used to have my pictures stolen all of the time by other vendors. Come to find out they where not stealing them but getting them from a manufacturer who stole them from me. LOL

HeadnSouth · 10-23-07, 10:51

Use a watermark.

MotorCity · 10-23-07, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadnSouth

Use a watermark.

That will help with images but not text.

rjstaaf · 10-23-07, 11:05

Another very effective means of making it hard to steal content is to develop your site using Flash or something similar. It will make it VERY difficult for the casual thief to steal your content images and text...

HeadnSouth · 10-23-07, 11:10

This will slow then down.
no right click, disable copy and paste, secure web site

calgarydetail · 10-23-07, 11:25

is it copy writed? I know it sounds weird but if it is theres alot, if its not im sure other then these games, but at the end of the day thats what they are

stiffdogg06 · 10-23-07, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadnSouth

This will slow then down.
no right click, disable copy and paste, secure web site

All you gotta do to get around that is highlight image and push CTRL + C = to copy. CTRL + V = To Paste.

Picus · 10-23-07, 11:34

Thanks for the tips guys. I built my site to be simple and easy, I considered flash but I don't want to alienate some of my clientèle. Of course, that wouldn't protect text either. My entire site is copyrighted, all images and text were created by me (as was all the code), so I guess my only option is to find it when it happens and ask to take it down, then have my lawyer write a letter.

I do watermark all photos, but did not to the images I created for educational purposes. I will. Thanks for the idea.

FWIW, I believe there is a site builder building these generic sites for detailers and using the same stolen content from me. I'd love to find out who the guy is and what he's being paid for these stolen sites.

Cooter · 10-23-07, 12:25

What about a slide show? I'm not sure at all. Just popped in my head.