Your Article is Being Used Without a Resource Box - What Can You Do?
by:
Francisco Aloy
Sooner or later, no matter
how much you hate it, some Webmaster is going to use your article and
won't include your resource box. Another common practice is that of
replacing your HTML link with a text link. Funny thing, when you submitted
the article, it had a HTML link!
Before jumping the gun and
coming down hard on the offending Webmaster, take time to think. There are
many reasons for somebody to do that. It could be lack of experience or
ignorance; the feeling the Web is so big they'll never get caught. Maybe
there was something in your resource box they didn't like.
Some Webmasters might feel
that your resource box is more of an advertisement than an "About the
Author" box. It still doesn't make it right and they should contact you to
make modifications. I know most Authors would find a way to accommodate
such a request; all you got to do is ask! Thanks to Janet Attard of
www.businessknowhow.com for pointing that out.
Of course, there are plenty
of slick reasons experienced Webmasters won't post your resource box or
include a real HTML link. Some feel that giving you a real HTML link will
"dilute" their Google Page Rank.
The irony is that most
articles are usually placed on a web page with zero ranking! Like the song
says: "Nothing from nothing leaves nothing." I wish one of those
Webmasters would explain the steps taken to arrive at such obviously
faulty logic ...it sure does escape me!
All the same, how should
you deal with it? Anybody can make a mistake. Is there a sensible course
of action that will get the best results? At what point should the varied
responses escalate to the next level; what is the criteria?
The considerations to
resolve your next step are these:
(a) How much damage has the
unauthorized use of your content done to you? For example, if a Webmaster
took the content of your index page, that could be considered an action of
great damage and require swift and unequivocal action on your part.
Should they take
non-essential content, such as your privacy and contact statement, don't
sweat it! The content and language used is so generic and commonplace that
it will never dilute your Page Ranking on account of duplicate content.
Another thing to consider
is the amount of time wasted in dealing with the matter. Most article
writers expect a certain amount of their work pilfered and misused. It's
considered a cost of doing business.
(b) Are the offending
Webmasters willing to fix the problem? Are they easy to contact or are
they hiding and ignoring you? What degree of communication have you
received since your initial contact? Are they blatantly stonewalling you?
A sure sign of their
strong-arm attitude is the lack of a privacy and contact statement. It
leaves you no choice but to use Whois and do a domain search. Of course,
they may never read your email. When was the last time you looked for any
email coming from your domain contact info?
Another contact option
would be to join their Forum and send them a private message about your
concerns. Your initial contact with them should be businesslike and
presented in a respectful way. Very important since you don't want to
inflame any passions; remember, this is business.
All the above should be
taken into account before you decide the level of response. A lawsuit
should be your absolute last consideration. The obvious damage should be
great and all other avenues exhausted before you take such action.
Please consider these
better options:
(a) If it's not a big deal,
ignore it. Why waste your time?
(b) A strong and resolute
email will do wonders. Contact their hosting provider and have them
enforce your DMCA rights. It's best to deal with stonewalling Webmasters
through a third party. Thanks to Armando B. Silva of http://profits.cc and
Philip Liu of www.web-marketing-blog.com for that one.
(c) Publish all your
articles in an eBook format and give reprint rights with free
registration. Sell the branding rights to Webmasters and let them place
their affiliate links. Viral marketing at its best and folks pay you to
become your affiliate. I love it! It's win/win/win/win ... Steve Yakim of
www.ezasmagic.com gave me that creative tip.Thank you, Steve! Great tip!
(d) Publish your article as
a Javascript (.js) file and only give Webmasters a line of code that links
to it. In that way, you have control and your resource box info will be
available. I want to thank Sherice Jacob of www.ielectrify.com for that
great tip.
(e) Call your article
"Sticky Shareware" and let folks know they can give it away for free but
only with the included resource box. It's a way of demonstrating how
strongly you feel about your article usage; meaning: don't you dare remove
my resource box! Thanks to Claire Koch of www.lazyliving.com for that tip.
(f) My personal favorite:
Ridicule! Have writers come together and create a website dedicated to
showing those individuals as they really are: Unethical drones utterly
lacking any creative ability. Create and present awards to the most
blatant offenders. In a few words: Laugh them out of town!
The options to deal with
unauthorized content use are many. I hope this helps you find your
favorite way of dealing with that dreadful problem.
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