Copywriting and re-printing info on websites

[Kylemp]

Im in the middle of launching a web travel website and keep runnng into the problems of content.
Since I have over 300 cities in this area, each with many different attractions, activities, etc. surrounding them, it is nearly impossible to plan on writing them myself, and at the same time too expensive to piece out the work to others..
I'm wondering if anyone knows the specifics on web copywriting, specifically if I can copy information and just give credit to the authors at the end of the pages, of if I will need to contact each source individually and get thier permission. Same goes with images.
Anyone??

Kyle

[Jeff Colburn]

Hi,

Yes, all of the articles and pictures / graphics are copywritten. You will need to contact the creator and get their permission unless otherwise stated on the website where you find this material. Using this information without permission could result in your hosting service removing your site from the server.

Take a look at my article "Where To Find Free Pictures, Artwork And Animation For Your Website" here http://www.creativecauldron.com/webs...Graphics.shtml

Also, go to free article sites. Here are some to start with.

http://www.ideamarketers.com/
http://goarticles.com/
http://www.AuthorConnection.com/
http://www.webpronews.com/submit.html
http://www.e-zinez.com/articles/add_url.htm
http://www.netterweb.com/articles/
http://www.articlecity.com/
http://www.ezinearticles.com/
http://www.freearticlehq.com/
http://www.articlesfactory.com/
http://www.web-source.net/articles/
http://www.e-zinez.com/
http://www.marketing-seek.com/
http://www.infobot.net/
http://www.mega-success.com/
http://www.ientry.com/devnewz/html.html
http://www.searchnewz.com/signup/html.html
http://www.smallbusinessnewz.com/html.html
http://www.flashnewz.com/html.html
http://www.promotenewz.com/html.html
http://www.thevines.com/leaf/AA1/&xp=AA90
http://readers.thevines.com/leaf/AA0000361277/2
http://www.suite101.com/
http://www.bella-online.com/career/p...rticles/art964 225682166.htm
http://EzineArticles.com/
http://www.web-source.net/articlesub.htm
http://www.authorlink.com/
http://www.writtenbyme.com/qas.php#Q1
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/article_announce/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Free-Content/
http://www.ezinearticles.com/add_url.html
http://www.internetclinic.org/contact/sub-article.htm
http://makingprofit.com/mp/articles/submit.shtml
http://www.articlecentral.com/
http://fictionaddiction.net/
http://www.marketing-seek.com/articles/submit.shtml
http://www.smarteremarketing.com/
http://www.coachmaria.com/articles/articlebanks.html

Have Fun,
Jeff

[marcel]

I would recommend you buy articles. There are plenty of article writers on DP and getafreelancer.com

[Irishjim]

As a reporter, I can tell you with good understanding that all written material is automatically copyrighted as soon as it is published.

However you have a greater danger than the potentially angry writer or publisher.... Google.

The new algorithm, Big Daddy, is on the lookout for scraper sites.

I found out this the hard way when one of my pages, www.tourclare.com/lahinch.html went from a #1 listing on Google to oblivion.

I had listed copy from sites I had linked to on the page and Google obviously saw it as an infraction. I removed or changed the copy and regained my #1 listing.

It is an important lesson to learn.

[nottheusual1]

Copywriting is the act of creating/writing copy - whether ad copy or content.

Copyrights are the legal rights granted to owners of content for exclusive publication of that content.

Many of the sites with primo content have people looking for violations of their copyrights and do not hesitate to pursue matters in both criminal and civil courts. It is not difficult to find/catch these types of issues, either.

Widely available content (be it free or used with permission) tends to be widely used, creating many sites with content so similar they have poor ability to differentiate themselves - they are part of the noise.

Content is king. Original content requires work - either by you or somebody else for $$. If it was as easy as crediting the copyright owner, more would than wouldn't already be doing it.

[THEGHOSTPAINTER]

When ever I post a picture or a map or radar image I always contact the owners to get ther permission or subscribe to there product as in the case of Intellicast and AccuWeather.

When ever I post an article or picture I post the link to the arthor or website.

When ever I post any material I always give full credit to the poster, or creator.

I also have on my page 'All Rights Reserved' this covers a lot of ground on material I use.

And when ever I use a software application such as one of my RSS feed generators I have there link and image posted on the either the feed or the page.

I hope this helps.

[DesignComm]

Hi Kylemp,

If you go to copyright.gov and copyright.com, y ou can get more info.

The bottom line is this: When someone turns their ideas into a physical embodyment, or tangible representation, they are automatically protected by copyright law. If you use their work without permission, you are committing copyright infringement and subjecting yourself to lawsuits, and possibly jail time.

What you need to do, is to contact the authors individually, and get permission from them, preferably in writing. Sometimes authors will let you use stuff for free; sometimes not at all; somtimes for a fee, but you have to ask. If you don't, you're stealing!

Hope this helps!

[budneyc]

Advice Please...I have an e-commerce site and it is constantly being copied by a new competitor. The complete copy of some pages have been copied (They have even been sloppy and left my fax number), articles have been copied, pictures I have created, and now I have noticed he is adding new products and completely copying my product descriptions word for word.

Has anyone else had experience with this and what advice can you give. I contacted my competitor and he blamed everything on his designer. He has since taken off a couple of blatant infractions, but everyday I notice more infractions....I think my phone call upset him and he is now copying more than ever.

Thanks in advance,
Clayton
www.hottubessentials.com

[mysticalmaze]

Hi,

My Opinion:

Its always best to contact the author and get his/her
permission, and save this document, as there is
no guarantee that they were the original writers.

The city, hotel, attraction, whatever they write about in many cases isn't actually owned by them, so its easy to re-write the info in your own words.

Whether you contact them, have it written, or copy
content that has permission given, will take alot of
time and effort.

Good luck with your new site!

[LSeeber]

budneyc,

I had the same thing happen...website posted an entire ebook that I sell. I contacted the website owner and when nothing happened, I did a whois and found their host and contacted them. They immediately jumped on it and the content was taken down.