Here`s the short version, i have been optimising a website for a client since around April time with moderate success so far, all is going to plan until i look a little further into competing websites and low and behold i come across a website that is completely ripping off entire content.

I mean everything from about us page to terms and conditions and even the functionality of the website itself.

I am aware of the duplicate content stance from a ranking factor point of view, however the offending domain was actually registered before the legitimate url (2002) as opposed to the current site (February this Year).

My question is from your experiences if any, will this older domain hold more weight from the aging factor? currently the newer site outranks the offending domain for a number of keywords and phrases.

I am to meet with the client to discuss the options for legal action which is my second question, what actual rights if any other than copyright infringement and intellectual property does my client have?

There is a sting in the tail of this story which i can not currently comment upon, but i will update when the recourse and outcome is more clear.

Thanks in advance