Need you help, what do i do?

JKomp · #1 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 04:09 PM

Hi,
I recently let a domain of mine expire, someone else inevitable bought it - that is not the problem. The thing is they are using my content and claiming to have built the sites i designed. I have used the WHOIS database to contact them through email and asked them to take my content off the site - but have received no reply. The site is just filled with my old content, claims to have designed the sites i designed and links/advertisement. Any advice on what to do? Is it worth pursuing legally? I have mountains of evidence that i designed those sites and wrote that content.

Clicken · #2 (**permalink**) 12-17-2004, 05:02 PM

Hi jkomp,

This link can help you find the legal assistance you need...

http://www.legalmatch.com/

I hope that helps. Sometimes it is better to let go and move on but you should seek advice from someone who understands the legal system and cases simular to yours so that you can be confident in your decision.

MarcieZoob · #3 (**permalink**) 12-18-2004, 11:12 AM

If the company in question is in your same state, you could try contacting your Attorney General. In the State of Michigan, we can contact our AG's Internet Fraud through their web site and then provide them with the details so they can investigate. The AG will only address same-state issues, though.

We've had to contact the AG twice and they've helped both times . . .quickly, I might add.

Good luck!

cyanide · #4 (**permalink**) 12-18-2004, 06:09 PM

Well this is copyright...
Digital Millenium Copyright Act.

I would first send a strongly worded letter/email to either take the content down, or purchase it.
You can threaten to de-list them in search engines
www.google.com/dmca.html
www.microsoft.com/info/cpyrtInfrg.htm
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/copyright/copyright.html

JKomp · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2004, 06:29 AM

ignore this message, clicked submit too many times - so have edited it now.

JKomp · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2004, 06:30 AM

Thank you for your help. How long do i give them to respind to my first email before taking action? Also is there anyway i can get more than just their email address? Thats all that is supplied in the domain purchaser info.
Oh one thing i forgot to mention I am in the UK.

**ctabuk** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-21-2004, 05:25 AM

Advice from the UK.

There is a book called Intellectual Property Rights and The Law, and there is just one Court in the whole of the UK and that is in London, the details are in the book, sorry I am away from my office so I don't have the full details, but you can get a copy in WH Smiths or any Library.There are Solicitors who specialise in Intellectual Property Rights and that is what this is IPR theft. I don't like Solicitors much, but this is a specialised subject and the advice you seek is there. You could also contact their host, that is as easy as pie, go to www.Verio.co.uk and search the URL and it will tell you who they are, phone them, e mail them, pester
them, tell them that you are going to Court, they may decide to pull them you can prove ownership through www.archive.org point them in that direction.Let me know how you get on. Seasons Greetings