It only takes a few…
Let’s be honest here… in my little blog bubble, I live with mostly other bloggers. Of course we all have people stop by who don’t write, and follow us, and become parts of our lives. But the lion’s share of people who stop by here have a URL to leave in the comments section. And that’s ok. That’s how it is. Always has been. Probably always will be. But what it means is that the majority of us here understand what it means to publish online. And for those of you who don’t actually do it yourselves, I firmly believe my readers are smart enough to figure it out.
And so it is that it positively sickens me when some of the most basic rules of online etiquette are breached. I recognize that I make my words public. That the thoughts and feelings here are out there for anyone to read. And I’m good with that. That’s why I do it. And I understand that doing that also comes with certain risks.
But I guarantee you, no one who does this does it with the assumption that their words will be ripped off. What we share here may be public, but it’s also personal. And even if you manage to overlook the basic decency of that fact, there is a copyright right there at the bottom of every single page of this site.
So back to being sickened. This week I found out that I and several other bloggers who I respect a great deal, have been plagiarized. I will not be including a link to the site where this was found. There is not a shred of original content. It is our personal feelings, our stories, our lives, stolen and reproduced word for word as someone else’s. And if that’s not bad enough, this person had the utter gall to also place a copyright at the bottom of that page. As if they had the right to claim exclusive rights to our work.
I know this person has at least read this blog once. So let me tell you all something and hope they find it too. We are all also subject to Terms of Service of the hosts and services we use to publish these blogs. All of us, paid and unpaid. And all of those terms include copyright infringement as grounds to terminate your account without warning. So you may think it’s slick to rip off someone’s work and life that way, but your host may not necessarily agree. And you better believe I, and the other folks who were violated here, will take the two minutes to report it. It’s not hard to prove. It doesn’t take lawyers or court. It’s a simple online form and it’s obvious by the dates and words who is original and who is a petty thief.
My main takeaway is that copyright infringement may cost you your site. But secondary, understand that the violation runs deeper. That person reprinted some entries that were extremely personal to me. They were hard to write. They said a lot of things out loud that I may not always want to say. In one case, I cried over that entry. It is not only a legal violation but a personal one. And it was petty, unoriginal, and rather disgusting by the person who did it.
I will continue to post here. I will continue to share. And I will continue to hope that the trust I put in my readers is well placed. But this week I lost a little bit more of my faith in humanity. And I also reported someone for copyright infringement. I seriously hope you rot.
Update 11/3/09: Got an email from the host of the blog discussed in this entry. It has been removed for copyright violations. We won.
Filed under rant | Comments (15)15 Responses to “It only takes a few…”
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Amen Sista!! ROT ROT ROT! I reported for copyright infringement as well.
Awesome. The more of us that do it, the more likely it is that person will be shut down. Even password protecting their blog won’t save them from that.
did you also notice that their “about me” section said they were honest and truthful? HA. horse-shit.
I managed to miss that. I’m just glad I got the links reported before they realized we were pissed and password protected the blog.
Having read the blog in question, I too am infuriated about this situation. Seriously, what kind or person steals friggin blog content? A blog is like an online diary and I, for one, have to question whether this person’s life is so void of anything that she needs to lift copy from someone else. Are you THAT unoriginal?
The sad thing is that this person had no clue they would get called out. That fact is obvious when you see she copied at least two of your entries word for word with the exception of LC’s initials, which she replaced with those of some unfortunate soul.
It is sad that someone would go to such lengths to make themselves appear to be interesting and insightful because they couldn’t achieve those things on their own merit.
Seriously. Why go through the effort to start a blog if you actually have nothing to say???
She password protected her blog? Hmmm. That seems like an odd move if you aren’t guilty of stealing someone else’s thoughts and words.
Yep. She was alerted when a couple of us commented on our entries to point out her lack of originality and link to the real versions. But, shocker, all comments had to be moderated so I doubt those ever got through. And today she is suddenly password protected. Good news is, her host won’t need a password to investigate the copyright infringement claims we all filed.
That is seriously messed up. The internet is a big place but the blogging community seems to be a smaller world. I think this is my first time commenting on this blog. I rarely comment but enjoy your blog. I hope the host is swift and that the blogger learned a lesson. That type of moronic behavior cannot be tolerated.
That’s my hope as well. Thanks for saying hi!
I’m not sure I have posted on your blog but I have been reading it for a while. I heard about and read the other site before it was password protected and could not believe how many different posts I recognized from different bloggers. So pathetic.
I have a blog that I don’t link that is about me and my family. I cannot imagine someone mining for stories from it. It would make me sick.
I thought since you probably know how many people read but do not leave comments I’d say hello and I enjoy your blog. I am sorry someone stole from you.
Well thanks for saying hello and I’m glad you’re here. I’m sure she’ll get hers in the end.
Wow it’s that widespread. I’ve been hearing little things for the last few days.
Yep. It’s way more than the one or two people who are complaining right here.
I can not believe someone would do this! That is seriously low.
I concur.
Absolutely disgusting. The sad thing is, I can think of a couple of people I’ve known in the online community who would actually sink to this level. I’m so sorry this happened to you, sweet friend. So sorry.
Well hopefully you don’t know them anymore! Otherwise I hope you’ve smacked them.
I cannot believe someone would do this. What is the point of a blog if not to speak your OWN mind, share your OWN experiences? I would feel completely violated. Kudos to you for not sinking to his/her level and showing the link, but even more so that you are standing your ground, taking the high road, and voicing your opinion (in a tasteful manner.)
See, I wonder that too! Why go through the effort if you have nothing to say? The mind, it boggles.
Wonderful entry!
Let’s see if it shows up on her site.
I remember the first time I saw someone use my content on their site and I was somewhat surprised at how absolutely LIVID it made me.
It’s infuriating.
-R.
The *first* time? You’re such a rockstar.
More important than the copyright issue, frankly, is the moral issue — and solution.
By calling it out as unacceptable and refusing to deal with (or link to) this person, you have done the right thing.
I commend you. I’m sorry your trust has been violated. There are few things worse than betrayal. It’s up to each of us to lead by example and to withdraw our support of people who disrespect others.
Well thank you.
I just started blogging and I worry that my entries aren’t interesting, but then I don’t think anyone’s reading anyway. However, I would never think of using other peoples lives and or stories claiming they were my own. If I suck, I suck on my own merits or lack thereof. I’m sorry that this happened to you all, but don’t worry, I hear karma’s a bitch!!!
It is indeed! And you know, it would be much easier for more people to read your blog if you’d leave a link to it.
I know…I think I’m jusk kinda shy at the moment, and I kind of enjoy the fact that people will find it because they’re pervs. When you use the word bulge in your title, you know the pervs will find you no matter what!
See, I just think “Battle of the…”. Which is funny because my mind is usually such a dirty place.
You showed up on my suggested blog list and I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog thus far. I’m glad the issue has been resolved (well, at least the post was removed as to the morality of the other writer, I don’t think that will ever be resolved). I’m just bummed I have no clue which blog you are talking about!
Well yay! Glad to have you. Sorry I can’t share the link. Since the site is gone now though, you’re not missing anything.