This Guy Completely Stole My Website!

[itsdonny]

This is unreal to me. This photographer in San Diego, who may even be on this forum completely cloned my site!

His name is David Harding.
<img src="http://www.d3fotos.com/images/dave_sml.jpg">

My site is Los Angeles Photographers | Photography | Weddings | Headshots | Commercial Photographer
His site is www.d3fotos.com

He didn't use my photos but he totally copied my design and copied my content almost word for word.

Look at this...

My headshot prices: Los Angeles Wedding Photographer & Videographer Rates & Prices | Orange County | Santa Barbara
His headshot prices: http://www.d3fotos.com/prices_portrait.php

I called him today on the phone and totally caught him off gaurd. He played it off as if he didn't know what in the hell I was talking about or who I was. He said he would look into it and call me back. I bet. I'm hoping he'll just come clean and redo his website. I can understand using ideas from someones site, but but flat out copying it is illegal.

[incrediblehelp]

Why are you worried about it if the content is different? Stealing styles will always happen, its those content thiefs that are the worst.

Did you guy by chance use the same designer? It is common for designers to use the same look and feel on websites.

[itsdonny]

Thanks for replying Jaan. After I called him yesterday he started changing his site immediately. If you're looking at his site now it looks nothing like it did a day ago. I designed my site myself. He actually did steal my content! Both text and graphics. Word for word on a few pages. He's changed that too.

Don

[incrediblehelp]

Don I am glad he changed it back. I hate those thieves!

[photoscout]

I've only just joined and saw this post. And I hope I'm not being to critical here by saying that: After looking at the site you mentioned and yours you seem to be sniveling like a baby. What has this guy done? It doesn't seem to have anything you've mentioned.

I'm sorry but give the guy some credit for making his site better than yours! That's all I seem to see what's happened here.

Paul

[incrediblehelp]

Since you did just join photoscout easy on the flaming. It is perfectly acceptable for someone to make a post like this and ask for advice. The situation seems to be resolved and then you come and post this message. Seems fishy to me like you might know or be the owner of the other website. Either way relax on the name calling.

[photoscout]

Sorry you feel that way but, I'm friends with everyone. After that I won't respond to anything else you're crying about.


Paul

[Hometutor]

Originally Posted by photoscout

I've only just joined and saw this post. And I hope I'm not being to critical here by saying that: After looking at the site you mentioned and yours you seem to be sniveling like a baby. What has this guy done? It doesn't seem to have anything you've mentioned.

I'm sorry but give the guy some credit for making his site better than yours! That's all I seem to see what's happened here.

Paul

As an author I can tell you copyright violation is a serious issue. Anything you publish is automatically copyrighted.

Rick

[itsdonny]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

Seems fishy to me like you might know or be the owner of the other website. Either way relax on the name calling.

That's exactly what it is Jaan. Classic!

[imsickofwebpro]

Good Designers Copy, Great Designers Steal!

Good Designers Copy, Great Designers Steal [Design Principles] <-- Good article.

[photoscout]

Gee wiz, all I can say is to itsdonny or should I say "itsthewiner" is please get over yourself. Man, that guys site is nothing like your site and say thanks to that dude for complimenting you if you still think it looks like yours!!!!
Happy Holidays to all you winers!!

[jkjazz]

Originally Posted by photoscout

Gee wiz, all I can say is to itsdonny or should I say "itsthewiner" is please get over yourself. Man, that guys site is nothing like your site and say thanks to that dude for complimenting you if you still think it looks like yours!!!!
Happy Holidays to all you winers!!

Gee whiz, you sniveling crybaby. Learn how to spell. What are you, 14? It was stated clearly that the thief had changed his site and that the situation was resolved.

Are you trying to call him a whiner or a winner?

3 Flame posts from a new member. Wonderful.

Red rep for you!

[dschips]

What is your problem photoscout? On the 12th, itsDonny posts both his problem, and that he called the offending webmaster about it. By the next morning, the offending webmaster started making changes to his site so that it was no longer in violation. When incrediblehelp mentioned that he didn't see the problem, itsDonny replied that offending site had been changed.

You come along that night and start flaming itsDonny because you couldn't see the problem. Well, of course not, as had been posted, the offending webmaster had made the requested changes in his site! When you were corrected, you lashed out again. And yet again.

ItsDonny's post was appropriate. He wasn't wining, he had a legitimate complaint. The problem was that you either didn't bother to read all the intervening posts (3), or chose to ignore them. Is it itsDonny's fault that the site had changed before you got to see it?

Then again maybe the speculation that you're involved with the offending site is accurate and you're trying to publicly embarrass itsDonny. You've only managed to embarrass yourself.

[David Pearson]

Originally Posted by photoscout

Gee wiz, all I can say is to itsdonny or should I say "itsthewiner" is please get over yourself. Man, that guys site is nothing like your site and say thanks to that dude for complimenting you if you still think it looks like yours!!!!
Happy Holidays to all you winers!!

Duhhh ... photoscout ... the oroiginal poster, itsdonny, has already said the culprit has started changing his site in response to a phone call

After I called him yesterday he started changing his site immediately. If you're looking at his site now it looks nothing like it did a day ago.

So ... photoscout ... can the namecalling ....

"itsthewiner"

... it is you, photoscout, who is proving to be the idiot here, and on only your first few posts.

[bj]

LOL! Definitely the thief, otherwise he wouldn't be so obnoxious. Thieves are always obnoxious when caught. I should know, I've had stuff stolen a few times now, have managed to catch them each time, and the response is always that the thief was doing ME a favor.

And the changes he's made since are awful, makes my motion sickness kick in . . .

[chrisJumbo]

I agree with the others. Also awarded a Neg. point to photoscout. I'm not sure what kind of forums your use to, but we try to be civil.

[itsdonny]

Actually taking another look at "photoscout's" website I see he still has several pages of content that are virtually identical. He did change the design quite a bit. Your getting there "photoscout". I wish you would just write your own copy and we could be on our way.

[phx-keith]

A developer from India stole my site completely.

My site looked like Hire Freelance PHP Programmer before the summer.

Here is my site today : Freelance PHP MySql Developer . Very similar.

I sent him a email and an Instant Message. He has not responded.

[deepsand]

Why are we seeing this same question asked repeatedly, when it's already been discussed to excess.

And, why are such dicussions constantly being featured in the daily WPW e-letter?

[albaby]

For those of you who dont know of this Free and Paid service

Copyscape - Website Plagiarism Search - Web Site Content Copyright Protection

[DrTandem1]

You may want to copy him, not in design, but including more information regarding your location. You have entitled the site Los Angeles Photographer, however, he has included actual phone numbers that give a sense of location.

Much of the world outside of California considers Los Angeles to be southern California. As we who live here know, besides Los Angeles southern California encompasses San Diego, Orange County and the Inland Empire.

Having a non-descript toll-free number puts you in the "Where are you" category. Toll-free numbers are almost a thing of the past. Most don't pay any more for a call across the nation than for a call across the street.

While I see similarities between your respective sites, I wouldn't at first glance have even noticed. Then again, you say he has changed his site. I question why he would copy your site and then be able to so quickly to change it. Also, if you think he copied your site, why is it a different script for the slide show? I have seen lots of photographer sites and there isn't much difference in what they offer.

I find the no-right-click script annoying. For instance, if someone wanted to steal one of your pictures they could just go to the source code. For example:

fadeimages[0]=["images-slideshow/fashion-wedding-iguazu-falls-brazil.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[1]=["images-slideshow/fashion-wedding-bride-bridesmaids.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[2]=["images-slideshow/engagement-disney-concert-hall-dance.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[3]=["images-slideshow/photojournalism-wedding-flower-girl-bright.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[4]=["images-slideshow/fashion-wedding-silhouette-back.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[5]=["images-slideshow/photojournalism-wedding-bride-profile.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[6]=["images-slideshow/photojournalism-wedding-bride-stairway.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[7]=["images-slideshow/photojournalism-wedding-kiss-reluctant-groom.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[8]=["images-slideshow/photojournalism-wedding-sendai-japan.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[9]=["images-slideshow/wedding-dress-bouquet.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[10]=["images-slideshow/performance-classical-indian-dance-e.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[11]=["images-slideshow/headshot-female-sydney-park-actress.jpg", "", ""]
fadeimages[12]=["images-slideshow/headshot-female-sydney-park-jc-penny.jpg", "", ""]

You may also want to change the chmod of the images-slideshow directory to 711. Currently, anyone can view its index and contents:

Index of /images-slideshow

I think if this guy had "completely stole" your site, I would see more similarities in the source code. He didn't copy all of the empty space at the bottom of your pages. He didn't copy the title and meta tags. He used a different slide show script. He didn't use a no-right-click javascript. He used PHP and you used server-side includes. He placed his scripts and CSS in external sheets, yours are on the page. His directories are forbidden to be browsed (chmod 711).

Do you actually think this guy went to all of the trouble looking for a site to copy, picked your site and then used completely different design techniques? I think you are a wee bit paranoid, but that doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

[khurramali]

Originally Posted by incrediblehelp

Did you guy by chance use the same designer? It is common for designers to use the same look and feel on websites.

You have a very good point there, all designers have their own special way. Some also use the same scripts, css, buttons, drop downs, I do it all the time, so most of my clients end up with similar theme websites, but it's not that apparent, just suttle / slight difference.

but I am sure, in this instance, this was done purposely. Either he liked your design too much, or did not want to pay more and just asked his designer to copy your layout and save him time, effort and money.

[mjtaylor]

Originally Posted by DrTandem1

I think if this guy had "completely stole" your site, I would see more similarities in the source code. He didn't copy all of the empty space at the bottom of your pages. He didn't copy the title and meta tags. He used a different slide show script. He didn't use a no-right-click javascript. He used PHP and you used server-side includes. He placed his scripts and CSS in external sheets, yours are on the page. His directories are forbidden to be browsed (chmod 711).

Do you actually think this guy went to all of the trouble looking for a site to copy, picked your site and then used completely different design techniques? I think you are a wee bit paranoid, but that doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

Did you examine the sites when this thread was started? Much has changed since and if your conclusions are based on what you see today it seems unfair to me.

[D3fotos.com]

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if I even want to say anything. I have never in my life had things like this said about me and I'm not sure even if I know how to respond. I'm always delighted when people are talking about me but it is usually good things and not all this behevent, horrible stuff. I would have only hoped I had checked my emails more frequently rather than working and making a living. I'm sorry I don't have the luxury of doing these things.
I will end with this " I admit nothing." I'm not accustomed to confrontation as it seems alot of the critics on this site are. I have never intended to harm any one as it seems like the people on this site do.

You should never believe everything you read, is all I can say to the hurtful behavior of some of you.

[DrTandem1]

Originally Posted by mjtaylor

Did you examine the sites when this thread was started? Much has changed since and if your conclusions are based on what you see today it seems unfair to me.

As I mentioned in my first post, I realize that the original poster has said that the other site has been changed since he called the other "guy."

Still, I see too much different in the other site's coding to prove their was any intentional copying. I have seen numerous sites use very similar design concepts.

[deepsand]

Originally Posted by D3fotos.com

Hi everyone, I'm not sure if I even want to say anything. I have never in my life had things like this said about me and I'm not sure even if I know how to respond. I'm always delighted when people are talking about me but it is usually good things and not all this behevent, horrible stuff. I would have only hoped I had checked my emails more frequently rather than working and making a living. I'm sorry I don't have the luxury of doing these things.
I will end with this " I admit nothing." I'm not accustomed to confrontation as it seems alot of the critics on this site are. I have never intended to harm any one as it seems like the people on this site do.

You should never believe everything you read, is all I can say to the hurtful behavior of some of you.

In all fairness, though, if you've no substantive rebuttal to offer, why then post here at all?

Merely calling others callously hurtful does not well serve you.

[itsdonny]

Dr Tandem,

Thanks for your insight on my website. I'm not a programmer so any advice to fix it up right is appreciated. I put the site together at my friends place using Dreamweaver. I should just hire a professional designer but I don't have the money for that right now. I am surprised though considering how much you looked at both sites that you didn't notice how his writing is almost word for word what is on my site.


I originally found out about my site being cloned on a forum where his programmer was talking. The original post was taken down, but I copied it knowing this was of course going to happen.
Google's cache of the original Blue Deviles forum post: The Concord Blue Devils

[webprobiz]

wow.. looking at the two sites.. i must agree with everyone else.. STOP WHINING JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE MADE A BETTER VERSION OF A WEBSITE THAN YOURS! its not like it can be that hard.. your website coding absolutely sucks.. i bet a 12 year old could do better. please dont give up your photography job.. but then again.. you said you cant even afford to hire a website designer, so im guessing your photography sucks just as much as your coding.

So that is what he got. At first I took the code and was going to use that, but after looking at it for about 10 seconds wondering why it was coded so crappy, I started from scratch.

Ctabuk edit - public warning -

[DrTandem1]

Well, that is fairly damning evidence as far as him modeling the site after yours. That explains the coding differences. I'm surprised that the other web designer was so bold to basically say what he did. He did say that the other photographer asked him to make a clone of your site.

Now, while he apparently copied the layout and you say the text also, he did innovate the background coding. I think you probably have/had some copyright issues with the text. However, the layout may look like yours, it is based on entirely different coding. The content is also not at issue, as your pictures were not used.

In other words, it may look and taste like Coca Cola, but he used a different recipe and called it something else. I initially didn't notice the copy (text) on your site as it is so far down the page. I've only looked at your site with IE6, so I don't know whether other browsers see that as well.

Stuff is going to be stolen all the time, whether in cyberspace or the physical world. That doesn't make it right. My advice is just to keep moving forward.

[webprobiz]

aka.. stop being a crybaby and get over it. lol