Copyright infringment

[Kurt]

I recently discovered a case of copyright infringement. While doing a search I came across a web site that had reposted my White's treefrog article. It is a clear cut violation of US copyright law and will not be tolerated.

To be able to read, and thus copy, an entire article here, one must be a member here. So, I know someone here, or who has been here, has done this. As long as you comply with our wishes to remove the illegally posted material, no legal action will be taken. Failure to do will result in legal action. Of course, trying to pass copyrighted material off as your own will result in automatic legal action.

Also keep in mind that not only is the text protected, but so are the photos, which are either owned by the author, John Clare, or are used with permission of the owner of said photos.

[Paul Rust]

Completely dispicable to say the least! I visited the site in question and the "society" has apparently removed your article as the link was dead. What bothered me even more is that the button on the site that reads "forum" links to FrogForum, giving the impression that we are part of that website. Oh and by the way Kurt, since the article has been removed it means they have read your post here, and it is a short list of members who have read this thread! Happy Hunting.

[John]

I relaxed the "needs to be member to read article" thing a few months ago - I am not sure if I did so for the White's article but it would be worth checking. Many member sign up to the site, read a few messages and then never return again. It's highly unlikely that the person who stole your hard work is a real member of this site. From the web page you sent me it looks like it's one of those sites that has popped up in the last few years where someone picks a topic they know nothing about and then takes information and photos from where ever they can. The goal is to make a web site filled with advertisements but that actually has content to draw in search engines and their users.

[John]

The person who is responsible for stealing our copyrighted material is:

Scott Paul
5127 Grand Phillips Lane
Katy, Texas 77450
United States

His email address is iownie@iownies.com and his phone number is 2816272835.

[Kurt]

I know I sent an e-mail to him and received an e-mail back with his apologies. I don't mind people wanting to repost the article as long as they ask first and they are not making money off of it. Of course, I am not the only one involved here, so they would also have to secure John's OK, as well as any of the photographers whose photos were used in the article.

[John]

Please forward the email to me. If the material doesn't disappear soon I'm going to have a legal representative contact him.

[Deku]

Gosh, pardon my language but things like these really fizz me off, like who do these people think they are taking what is not theirs? Sure its not my article, or my property but I still feel angry as I would be if someone stole something I wrote. Because its not the fact that they took YOUR information. Its the following facts:
1)They never gave credit to:
a)The people who wrote it
b)Photographers
c)Site and its publishers.
2)Its not right to go around and take something that isnt yours just to make money out of it.

3)They never even contacted any of you guys for permission reguarding the said information. Only after you warned them. Because they wanted to prevent getting their ***** sued. >:C Its not right I say! Not right at all!

You guys should contact them and warn them, should they want to put it up on their sites they have to consult with you first, give you guys credits, and the site credit.

As for the other sites making this forum seem like part of their site is wrong too!
I saw their site, they pretty much are trying to get stuff sold on there. I saw "support t his site" button. If someone went to this forum, through THEIR site, and they wanted to support THIS site, they would be giving money to the other site by buying their crud.
Does not matter what reason they have behind it. You just don't go to someone elses site, rip off their shizz and post it up on YOUR site as if it was your own. Not only is that rude, but it is also illegal. What Iam pretty much trying to say is, you(the people of this site) should stand up to these site and give them a piece of your mind(legally of course), as for t hose knuckleheads. They should apologise and either take it off their site, or just give credit to you, and this site in LARGE BOLD letters. Because you guys deserve it. Iam pretty sure t here are other sites that do this too. So you guys should be watchful for this.


But here is my question, how does someone find out if their stuff is being plagarized? Like say if I made a caresheet for this forum or some other forum. But it turns out that some jerk took my stuff and put it on their own site without my consent. Not only th at but I didnt know about it, how would I find out?

[Paul Rust]

I do a search for the subject and see what turns up. I also routinely copy and paste sections of my work into google and it will return anything with the same wording...gotcha!

I am relieved to see how vigilant and supportive John is concerning our contributions to him. I can rest assured that if I bring something to his or Kurt's attention that if it is an issue it will be dealt with and if not i can let it go, just like the forum button. If they don't care, I don't care. And even better, I don't have to concern myself with it any longer. This is truly a great site to be a part of.

[Kurt]

Gosh, pardon my language but things like these really fizz me off, like who do these people think they are taking what is not theirs? Sure its not my article, or my property but I still feel angry as I would be if someone stole something I wrote. Because its not the fact that they took YOUR information. Its the following facts:
1)They never gave credit to:
a)The people who wrote it
b)Photographers
c)Site and its publishers.
2)Its not right to go around and take something that isnt yours just to make money out of it.

They did give credit to me, the photographers (even though the photos don't appear in the article, just the quotes do), and even to FrogForum. As far as I can tell they were not making money out of it. The problem is that they did not ask to use it. Had they done so, there is a good chance I would've said yes.

But here is my question, how does someone find out if their stuff is being plagarized? Like say if I made a caresheet for this forum or some other forum. But it turns out that some jerk took my stuff and put it on their own site without my consent. Not only that but I didnt know about it, how would I find out?

Ignorance is bliss. Seriously, you don't know until you come across it or someone brings it to your attention. Also, I don't believe this is a case of plagiarism as he did not try to pass the work off as his own. He just posted it without permission.

Anyway, its done, over end of story. No need for anyone to go balistic.

[hammydhamster]

are they serious- that web site a joke!
lets all buy anti-wtf society stickers

[Ken Worthington]

If I can just re-emphasize the point which Paul raised; if you are an author of something on this Wonderful World Web, then taking various sections of your work and 'googling it' can produce many a surprise.....it's not exactly 'data-mining' but produces results....ie. links to sites hosting your material

I feel that any accurate (but pirated) information which indirectly leads to improved animal welfare, etc is great, but as you say, it's nice to be acknowledged and credited!