RE: Copying web sites

Same way here in the US.  A lot of clients want to own copyright and pay
extra $$$ for it.

Tim

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hwg-business(at)hwg.org [mailto:owner-hwg-business(at)hwg.org] On
Behalf Of Kim Wilson
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 12:44 AM
To: hwg-business(at)hwg.org
Subject: RE: Copying web sites


I don't know about US law (I guess that's where you are located) but in
the UK and many other countries a freelance owns copyright unless it's
been specifically assigned by them to their client.

Equally importantly you ALWAYS own the "moral right" which is basically
the right to be acknowledged as the author of a work and not to have
that work denigrated in any way - for example if someone copies a piece
of artwork and makes minor changes, or if someone uses your work in a
way that harms your artistic integrity (e.g. using it on a porn site)

However, you're unlikely to have copyright in an overall design concept.
What you'd need to do is to prove that those graphic elements were
really yours.

Interesting question is whether the guy who owns this company is aware
that his website designer has ripped off the design?

Kim Wilson

http://www.city-centre.net
Micro-site technology for the small business market

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hwg-business(at)hwg.org [mailto:owner-hwg-business(at)hwg.org]On
Behalf Of Timothy Embler
Sent: 08 June 2001 07:18
To: 'Susan Walsh'; hwg-business(at)hwg.org
Subject: RE: Copying web sites


This can be a pain but you do have some options.  They obvisly lied
saying there site is copyrighted in 99 when it was first registered in
01.  Unless they lost registartion on it, doubtfull.  You may want to
consult a lawyer.  You can send a demand letter for the removal of the
site and if they do not remove it take them to court.  If you have any
dated print outs that is best.  Or print a dirtree w/ orig mod dates if
you have those.

This cases can be tricky.  Did you include any type of watermarks on
your graphics?

Also in your contract who owns the copyright?  You or the client?  If
the client owns it, it will be up to them to handle this matter.

Tim


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hwg-business(at)hwg.org [mailto:owner-hwg-business(at)hwg.org] On
Behalf Of Susan Walsh
Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2001 8:34 PM
To: hwg-business(at)hwg.org
Subject: Copying web sites


Hello,

I have a client that I designed a web site for earlier in the year.
Today, I found out that one of their competitors copied the site.
Literally, they are using my graphics, HTML, stylesheets, ticker etc.
When I view source, they didn't even bother to change the name of the
files.

My client did not put a copyright on their web pages, but in this
circumstance, I don't think it matters.  I think this is best
illustrated by looking at the two sites.

The site I designed: http://www.bestratefunding.com

The site that copied: http://www.loanleaders.com

These people have blatently stolen my graphics, forms, etc.  What can I
do? I am really upset about this.  Thank you in advance!

Susan Walsh

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