Groups, Forums and Copyright Infringement

One of the recommendations as far as networking goes is to participate in groups and forums.  However there is a danger in participating and that is of copyright infringement.  I recently joined a group never thought much more of it.  A couple of days later there was a picture with my copyright and an entire post from my blog posted to the group.  I voiced my concern over this and asked that this not be repeated.  This really does concern me though that there is a good portion of folks out there reading groups and forums that feel my hard work (or the work of any blogger) is free for the taking.  What do you do if this happens to you?

• First off address the issue right up front and tell them this is copyright infringement.  Ask that they remove the copyright protected material.  In most cases this should take care of the problem.
• If the problem persists issue a cease and desist under the DMCA.  If the material is not removed from their group or forum email the host of the forum or group within 24 hours contact the group host.  If it is Google or Yahoo the content will be removed immediately since both take a very dim view on copyright infringement.  If the group or forum is hosted by someone else send a complaint to their abuse department.  The content should be removed within 24 hours.  If it isn't complain to the host's upstream provider.  Use Sam Spade or do a Whois to get the complaint emails.
• Chances are good if you have to escalate a complaint you will be removed from the forum or group.  Use a site like My Free Copyright to register your intellectual property as soon as it is posted and use Copyscape to find any sites that may have used your content without your permission.

Garden Gnome
©2009-2010