Copyscape provides invaluable services for those of us who have original content rich websites. I have used the services of Copyscape many times over the years. Unfortunately I have quite frequently come across people who actually copy my website content verbatim. They think because they are in another state that somehow they won’t be found out and that it couldn’t hurt.
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- Plagiarized Content from some dude in Indiana.
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- ACA Web Consulting Original Content Dated To 2004
There are many reasons to be on the alert for plagiarism;
Duplicate Content: when someone copies your website content word for word (except to replace his website name with yours) they are creating duplicate content. A clear no-no with Google.
Ethics: I don’t see anything wrong with gleaning ideas from other’s people’s websites, then tailoring it to be your own, but MAKE IT YOUR OWN.
Digital Millenium Copyright Act: Once you alert Google to a DMCA copyright infringement, they are bound by law to remove the offending website from their listing. The hosting company to the website must take down the website until the website owner clarifies they have complied with removing the plagiarized material.
So what would you do if you were me? I would be curious to hear your comments.
Imitation (Plagiarism) is (NOT) the Highest Form of Flattery http://t.co/E1Uft7xJ
Well, many people compare plagiarism with seeking references, and they copy few lines as a mark of showing respect. However, if you are quoting the words of others, you must provide the source, otherwise it will be considered as plagiarism.
If I were you I’d report him. That “dude in Indiania” is just plain lazy. Writing good copy takes a lot of thought and time.