So a second set of content thieves have shown-up on SheBreathes. They disregard the legal notices {every blog should have a copyright notice} on this blog {and others}, right click, and steal what they think they can so they can make money off all your efforts. These thieves tend to target blogs they think are small and insignificant counting on you to not follow through with a complaint to their hosting companies and advertisers. Yet they'll steal content from you and repost it as their own. The absolute best way to win the war while fighting the battle is to get informed and follow through!
I don't care if your blog is big or small, doesn't register on google's radar, has ads or not, no blog should have to deal with content thieves! So I implore you the readers and the blogging community, let's band together. If you see someone's content stolen notify the blogger, it's time we band together and stop this madness. While all of this will be time consuming the end result will be rewarding, I assure you.
There are steps you must take when you're on the other end of a content thief. Read all about it here and here. You can also google {content thieves} and come-up with some extremely helpful tips from those who continue to fight the good fight. You don't have to pay for an attorney to deal with content thieves but if you have one get them involved. Be sure to keep all the proof you have. If the person stealing from you becomes rude or belligerent after you've contacted them and informed them of the copyright violation {and any other violation} cease all communication and follow the steps laid out for you. But do not be moved, swayed, or intimidated. Trust me these people will try anything to '"scare" you from taking the proper steps.
Most hosting companies and advertisers require you to submit a DMCA Notification of Claimed Infringement to them before they'll get involved, again not hard. Do not be afraid of this process. If you've spent time on your blog big or small it's worth it to stop content thieves in their tracks. These people usually make a lot of money from unaware advertisers and off your hard work.
The new breed of content thieves will cite you as the source {sometimes} and steal your words and ideas. This doesn't mean they've honoured the copyright notice on your blog so be sure to have one up that reflects what you will allow as far as the redistribution of your content. Visit Creative Commons for different types of copyright notices {thanks to the lovely Jill @ Trend de la Creme for this info}.
A blog filled to the brim with other's content is unoriginal and nothing more than a culling factory to make money at your expense.
There is a way one shares content and it starts with reading the copyright notices on blogs. Most bloggers don't steal from each other and when we find something we like on another's blog we give the proper notice and make it perfectly clear who the credit should be given too. Thieves don't do this and these are the ones I fight against!
Again I repeat don't be afraid of content thieves {the new + old kinds} and don't allow it to happen. While many who blog aren't journalist or writers by trade, we're all bloggers and must uphold the blogging etiquette. By following through when we see content stolen we become intolerant to the games and thievery that goes on, thus making it harder for it to happen.
Thanks for reading and if anyone needs help etc feel free to contact me, exhale {at} shebreathes dot com.
Beijos e amor.
