Thursday, September 15, 2011

Blog Piracy

and not of the cute and sexy kind
I've been robbed.
The other night I accidently discovered another blog using ALL my posts.
They go back to the very beginning when I started this blog in January 2010.
Almost 400 posts.
Someone copied every single one of my posts and also posts of Steve's of

I emailed Steve as soon as I discovered. This creep of the internet has copied other
bloggers' posts all the way back to 2008.
Steve recognized the blog content of two other bloggers he knew and contacted them

I just spent about four hours last night reporting each individual post to 
Blogger. 

I reported that my whole entire blog was stolen in one submission form and they 
wrote me back and said that I must report the url of each of my posts and each of
the url's of the posts on the offending blog.

Well, I got a system going where I could cut and paste and managed to get my time
of reporting each stolen post down to taking me two minutes each.

At that rate, it will still take me about 12 hours to report them all and that 
is with no time taken between reports. 
So it's really going to take me more like 14 or 15 hours.

I am beyond livid about this. 
You can't imagine how much it hurts to find my very personal stuff there.
I know I share all with my fellow bloggers....but as soon
as I saw all my posts exploited to just earn money for this person that is copying and pasting
just to earn ad dollars...well it makes me sick. 

This is the last thing I need to be working on...right now.

So I'm reporting my stolen posts to blogger instead of writing new content.

I so appreciate all of you who have emailed me, checking on how I am doing.

I am doing a little better. I am learning to live with the pain of losing Newman.
It almost seems like he was a dream and that he never existed.
So painful to think about him.

My sister is doing MUCH better. I'm hoping she might be out of the care center by end of the month.
And hopefully, she'll never get in that kind of condition again.
She is feeling pretty good and just needs to work on rehab to be able to get out. 

I had lunch yesterday for the first time in a very long time with Shelly.
I had not seen her in almost three weeks. 
Her immune system was almost non existent because of her blood count being destroyed by the chemo.
So she has not had visitors during this time.
I didn't want to take the chance of bringing in any germs plus she has been extremely tired
and very very sick. 

But by yesterday she was feeling better and wanted to go eat at our favorite Thai food buffet. 
She is breathing better and in less pain.
This could mean the chemo is working. We won't know for sure for several more weeks.
She has another chemo treatment on Monday.
And she'll be very very sick for a couple of weeks after that.
She just gets to feeling better and then its time for chemo again.

Anyway...for now things are going about as good as we could hope.
We do have hope.

Have any of you had your posts hijacked? 
I would tell you the address of this criminal but I don't want him to get any traffic he doesn't deserve.

I have to say it's been very upsetting to me.
The hardest part is seeing my little Newman on this stranger's site.

So far I've had about 10 posts taken off that I reported the other night.
Last night I reported about 90 more.... and I have so many more to do.

**Update**
After reading your comments today...I tried to answer most questions with a comment of my own.
So please go to my comments to read a little more.


**New Update**
The criminal blog has been taken down! 
I'm not sure if Blogger did this or if the blogger himself gave up.
This does not mean that it won't happen again.
But at least for now...I know my posts are still my own.


Now... I'm going to really try to get back to business as usual. 

64 comments:

  1. There's got to be an easier way. It seems that the pirate has more rights than we do. It's obvious after all of our complaints this person is a repeat offender and I'm shocked that Blogger won't take the blog down.

    It makes me wonder if Blogger also gets revenue from the ads.

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  2. This is about the most awful thing I have ever heard. How did you discover this other blog? Is there a way to know when this happens?

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  3. This is horrible! How did you find this out?

    S
    xo

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  4. steve told me nita and i'm disgusted. i went on my facebook account this morning and that has been hijacked too. there are all these people i don't know who are now my friend but when i go to my friend list they are not listed there. i'm going to delete it. i wonder just how these people are getting away with this? good luck and i don't understand why blogger just doesn't delete the entire blog. ugh.

    xo
    janet

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  5. It is scary how many people are out there hacking into accounts and trying to steal identities. It is a shame that you have to work so hard just to get them to stop stealing your posts--that should be Blogger's job.

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  6. I am so sorry this happened to you! I sell original crochet patterns, and I have not seen my blog content stolen, but I did find one person(a customer) who had posted several of my patterns on her blog. I wrote her and told her that she was violating copyright laws by publishing my patterns, and thankfully she took them down.
    There should be an easier way to get Blogger to shut down someone who is obviously stealing content.

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  7. I am totally shocked...didn't think anyone would ever do something like that! Just proves how niaive I am! I am so sorry!
    Ruth

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  8. Oh, Sweetie, I'm so sorry this is all happening to you. Hugs from Colorado!

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  9. Argh, how incredibly frustrating and heartbreaking. I'm more disappointed in Blogger than ever.

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  10. This surprised me. How did you discover? Anyway, I wish Blogger would act on your concern asap.

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  11. Any form of theft is horrible...........this kind of identity theft especially............good luck to you cleaning up the mess!
    Kathi

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  12. I don't know how someone can do this to somebody, it's terrible! Nobody needs to go through this and it must be especially hard for you with everything else life is throwing at you right now! I think of you daily whenever I look at my Molly.... I truly hope things start looking up for you.

    ~Chris

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  13. It is really scary crazy to hear about the horrible things people do! I am so sorry this happened to you, and hope it doesn't take forever to get straightened out!
    xo Ashlyn

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  14. I cannot believe this. Why can't they just shut the bastard down. That is utterly ridiculous. You could never get away with that in print form. My kids even have to filter all of their papers for college through a computer system that checks for copying. This is the last thing you need. I am so very sorry you are dealing with this.

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  15. Unbelievable. So sorry you're going through that. But glad to hear the snippets of good news.

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  16. that is crazy...how did you even find that? is it just another blog name with all your comments, with ads on the side? do they have followers, they must be different ones than yours...this is just crazy!!!!

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  17. Is there anything legally you can do? Press charges...send to prison...etc..? This is beyond theft! He should be put in the slammer and the key trown away!

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  18. Holy catfish....every word in this post is unbelievable. I just can't believe someone is doing that. Also, I am so sorry for all of this hardship you are going through right now...I pray for your strength.

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  19. NIta, I am so very sorry all of this nonsense is going on in your life and what a jerk to steal yours and other bloggers post ( I would call them a different word, but trying not to curse) ....Still praying for you dear Nita! Sending hugs your way! Xoxoxo ~Ashley

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  20. I do wish you would let us know how this was done and how to find out if it is happening to ourselves and others. How sinfully lazy of that blogger to steal your creativity and hard work.

    Hang in there you do have real friends who love what YOU write.

    Hugs~

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  21. Nita this is terrible, I am so sorry this happened to you! The nerve of people! How did you come across this and I can't believe blogger isn't doing more to this creep! Martina

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  22. That really stinks. How lame of that blogger. I honestly think Blogger needs to step up and just take the site down. It's quite obvious that this is something that is online illegal -- at least ethically.
    so sorry you have to go through this after what you've already been through.

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  23. In regards to the jackwagon blogger who has been stealing your posts, I will be taking the good Christian route and pray for them. " Please Lord, bless them with a brick!"

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  24. Disgraceful! I cannot believe they can do this!! Good luck and keep us posted.

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  25. some people have no moral fiber, what a jerk, as for my blog it is all screwed up, i cant even post on my own blog in the comment section.i am sure others have tried to comment on my blog and they cant, this all needs to STOP I know you will pursue this even tho its a pain in the azzz. i suppose you have to prove now who was first, you or the thief

    hugs JoAnn

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  26. I am sorry this has happened to you and your correct it is like being robbed. While it takes time to report the URL's I would also suggest that you hit him/her in the pocket book and report them to the companies that are paying for advertising space on this website.
    I am sure those companies do not want to be associated with this type of behavior.

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  27. What an awful thing to have happen. I can only hope something good comes of this in the end with more controls in place to prevent this kind of thing from happening.

    Big hugs!

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  28. I guess I should have explained further. I just accidently found this fake blog one night because I was searching batchelder fireplaces on google. I had a woman contact me wanting to know more about my fireplace and I just thought....I'm going to see if there are any new examples out there on the internet that I have not seen. So I did a search and one of my photos popped up and it was on a blog I did not recognize. I didn't think much of it because people often copy a photo and tell about it and then provide a link back to my original blog post.

    I am fine with that...as long as I am given credit. So I clicked on this blog and discovered....ALL the posts I've ever written were there up to this past Aug 17.

    The person has no followers. Steve says I can follow anonymously to keep an eye on it. I have not done that yet. This blog has about 60 posts per month...so he copies all of mine and fills in with other peoples and they were going back to 2008.

    It just feels awful. My blog is very personal...as you know...I share all here. Funny how I'm fine sharing all with my readers but felt like my privacy was invaded when I found them on this stranger's site.

    I just feel like everyone here that reads is my friend but that makes me feel like I'm so exposed. I know that is irrational. So this person has no followers...because it's just gone up last month. It's someone that knows html well to know how to do this. They probably have lots of blogs that are copies of other people's. They are probably just hoping for random hits off the internet and then people will click on the google ads because they pay a small fee when clicked upon.

    And yes, google makes money for each click too...Google has to approve every blog that applies to have google ad sense. But impossible to keep track of what is original and what is copied.

    And since Google is a free service to us...it's pretty hard for us to complain....

    I just feel lucky that I happened up it and am getting it taken down...but it does mean that there could be other blogs out there with all my content too that I just have not happened across.

    I guess that is just life on the internet.

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  29. WTF? I can't believe Blogger doesn't do anything about it~and you have to do all the work copying and reporting a million offenses!~!!! ARGH. I am disgusted with jerks like this sharing our world. I can't believe you have to go through this on top of everything else you have to deal with. Oh boy. I would like to say other things here, but not appropriate. Question, if he has no followers, how is he profiting money off of ad clicks if no one goes over there? Does he not offer a follower list, and people google it and end up over there? I imagine he has not comments section either..seems like an obvious pirate and blogger should protect the good guys on things like this.

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  30. I am sickened reading this that it is so easy for people to copy and come off smelling like a rose....unbelievable the lack of conscience.....I AM SORRY that this has happened but happy you came acrossed the blog.......Good Luck with all of this hot mess.....

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  31. That's horrid! Who would do such a terrible thing? And how do they live with themselves? I can't imagine wanting to take someone's else's work. Why wouldn't you want to show your own and be proud of it? Stupid people.
    Brenda

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  32. That is really twisted! I am so sorry you are going through this. Makes you wonder how many other bloggers are being plagerized (is that the right term) Hang in there!

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  33. Nita, this @$$ makes me sick to my stomach, I mean really? Of all people this could happen too...like you don't already have enough on your plate...

    I am so sorry you have had to deal with this, too. Thanks for the updates, and I hope this does not happen again.

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  34. I am speechless. As if you need this at the moment.

    GRRRRR.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.
    xo

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  35. This is terrible! I am glad it was straightened out. It is amazing what some people will do!

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  36. Boy do I have things to say about that twirp that are un-printable. Thankfully it is down now and you can move forward. I will pray for your sister's recovery. Were your images watermarked? Did he crop the watermark out?

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  37. Wild...glad you were able to get thing worked out. When it rains it pours. Hugs
    ...hope you have a better weekend.

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  38. So sorry.....his day is coming. You didn't need this. A
    nd to steal even your pictures.....like taking your idenity. Hope he never comes back to hurt anyone else.

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  39. That's terrible. People have no principles sometimes. I'm so sorry. It sounds like such a pain! Like a stolen identity.

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  40. Well you Rock! YOU got it closed and truth prevails! And now we get to see some more of your lovely postings!

    Hugs~

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  41. I'm so sorry for the distress you've been under. Hopefully they'll figure out a way for this type of thievery never to happen again!

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  42. OH, you poor love. How horrible for you. And what a complete pain to have to report every single one.

    Well, I'm glad he's taken down the pirate blog. What a weird thing to do.

    Just to let you know that I've been thinking and praying for you, my lovely.

    Sarahx

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  43. That is just CREEPY! So sad they have no life of their own to blog about. I am so sorry you have had so many trials lately. You are in my prayers.

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  44. There is a crook in every corner and crack today and amoung our blogs. I read where one lady had a fabulous blog ( i had read it ) anyway she was selling on an etsy shop after getting several followers then getting the money for what she was selling and never shipping the items, then closed her blog??? and it was a fabulous blog OMG what the heck ???



    OMG so glad you found the creep's web site or should I say the copy of your web site

    we all all with you on this . hang in there

    xoxo Janice

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  45. Nita, you didn't deserve that mistreatment! That is the reason I don't have a blog, even though my friends tell me I should, I am very hesitant to put myself out there. And, blog reading is nirvana for me, and others, and would wager that 99.9% of us are honest, caring and outraged at blog content piracy. I hope that you can protect your content in better format, as I would hate for bloggers to disappear due to this type of indecent behavior. God Bless...XO

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  46. I'm speechless. This is terrible. I'm so sorry for all you've endured and on top of the other suffering you've had. It frightens me for my own safety and wonder if it's happened to myself and others. I don't have a huge following, so perhaps not, but still it's creepy and so unlawful. I am so glad you found out and got it stopped. Blessings to you, Kathi

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  47. I am so sorry that you had to go through this Nita, and I do hope you are doing okay, I know what it feels like to look for a little face when you get up in the morning and it's not there, and never will be again.. Sending much love and prayers to you!
    Jenny xoxo

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  48. I am a first time visitor to your blog and a new blogger. I'm horrified that someone would do this to you. You have every right to feel violated. You have written your blog with love and your personal reflections. This was like being mugged and robbed. Thank for taking all the time to report this person to help keep the blogging world safer. Will be your newest follower, thank you, Laura from Cottage and Broome

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  49. Just read this and can't imagine how violated you must feel! Love your blog and am so sorry that you are having to deal with something this icky. What a sad sad person to copy other people's work.

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  50. Oh Nita, I'm so sorry you had to go through this on top of everything else...you definitely did not need this. I'm happy though that you busted him and that the fake blog is now gone...you deserve a special blogging medal for that!
    Wonderful news about your sister and Shelly...I truly hope that they are each on the mend, though I know a tough road is still ahead for both. You're such a blessing to them...prayers continue for all of you.
    Hugs,
    xo J~

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  51. Sorry to hear of your trouble, but glad that you have it back. Some people are just driven my laziness and greed.(Scum!)
    Sip some tea, say a prayer of thanks, and smile. God is good.
    Patti

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  52. Nita this is just unreal on top of everything you have been through!

    Blogger is so wrong to not help out more with this situation. How distressing,,,thinking of you!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  53. Have you looked into Copyscape.com?

    It's a service that checks to see if content from your URL apears elsewhere on the net. One level is free, the others cost a modest fee/month and protect you further against theft and plagerism.

    Just a thought.

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  54. Sorry I'm late, but so glad to hear Shelly is feeling a little better and that you're doing better too.

    Curious to know if you found out any more as to whether blogger took it down or the thief just gave up. It amazes me the things people will do for a little money. There's another blog about what I collect (I'll just leave it at that) and this person has used tons of my photos and sometimes copies my tweets. They have about 20 blogs and copy the content off other people and it's solely to make a little money. I've emailed and tweeted to them and they don't reply. NOthing like what you had with your whole blog content stolen. Amazing. SO sorry you had to deal with that with everything else you've been facing.

    Hugs,

    Nancy

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  55. In know you are so busy. I'll try to be quick. No response is needed.

    1. Again, I am sorry for the loss of your precious pet.

    2. Your blog is fantastic and heartfelt.

    3. I never would have thought you could copy someones blog.

    4. I am so glad you found out and fought for what is yours. You get em' !!

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  56. Oh my goodness Nita! you poor woman!!! I feel so sorry for you...thank heavens the blog is now down. What a pain! I just don't understand people sometimes...so sad to think it's come to this.

    On another note, thanks so much for stopping by my blog to wish me an early happy birthday! It meant so much to me!! You are a dear, sweet lady...and I'll be wishing you all sorts of good thoughts for this new week! :D
    T.
    xx

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  57. Hi Nita, I just read this over on Steve's blog. I can't believe this...so weird. Glad you were able to take care of this but what a pain in the butt!

    best, Kelley

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  58. Unbelievable! Just gives you an icky feeling for lack of a better word. So sorry...

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  59. Oh, wow.... what a mess! I am so sorry this has happened to you!

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  60. Thinking about you Nita and hoping that things are going better. (My heart breaks for you...still hard for me with Niski too. Hugs!) Very scary about that other blog. I'm so mad for you! I know it happens. I'm glad it was taken down.

    Please try to have a wonderful, relaxing weekend.

    xo,
    Roeshel

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