Shutting down website running illegal software - Webmaster Forum

10-28-2009, 01:03 AM

wiremind

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Shutting down website running illegal software

To make the story short, I've been made aware of a website that's running a stolen copy of my software. Obviously my intention is to have it shut down and taken offline. Could anyone suggest the steps for doing so? Thanks in advance.

10-28-2009, 04:50 AM

Randy

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In my opinion here is what I would do.

1) Get proof that the software is illegal
2) Contact the owner of the website (usually by checking administration on domain whois) and ask that the software be removed.
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if no reply from 2
3) Contact the web host (by doing whois search or ping tracking) and ask them to contact the website owner.
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if no reply from 3
4) Send one more email to the web host and threaten that legal action will be taken against their client and that they will be noted for allowing illegal software to be used on their servers.
5) Get ahold of a lawyer and start a lawsuit process.

Or what you can do if you are in the united states, contact the Business Software Alliance which is a US Government organization that attempts to destroy online piracy.
www.bsa.org

Good Luck!

10-28-2009, 01:09 PM

wiremind

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Thank you!

10-28-2009, 01:56 PM

Peter Avey

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Take legal action against there host, after all they are hosting the stolen software. They will shut down there website in seconds

10-28-2009, 10:33 PM

sletts02

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Google cease and desist (C&D) examplars.

Note: If you do send an email to their ISP, ensure you use correct spelling.

June 15, 2000

Dear Jane Smith,

It has come to our attention that you are republishing original content from MySite.com on your Website, located at MySiteIsBetter.com.

Your unauthorized use of original material from MySite.com is in violation of copyrights owned by MySite.com. If you do not immediately remove the copyrighted material from MySiteIsBetter.com, and notify us in writing that you have done so, we will have no choice but to pursue legal action against you. We require the copyrighted material to be removed and written notice given that such has been removed, by no later than June 30, 2000.

Sincerely,

John Doe
for MySite.com
---

Before having a lawyer write a Cease and Desist letter (or writing one yourself if you so decide) there are a few things you'll want to do.

1) Make sure that each of your Web pages that contain original content are clearly marked with a Copyright emblem and copyright notice, like the ones at the bottom of every Webmaster Techniques page.

2) When you find a violator of your copyright, you may want to first send a friendly notice asking the person to remove the material from his/her site. If the material is not removed and you do not get a response then consider the Cease and Desist letter.

3) Notify the offenders ISP (the people hosting his/her site) that they are in copyright violation. Send the ISP a copy of the Cease and Desist letter. Some ISPs will immediately close the account of a person who is found to be in flagrant copyright violation.

Joe Tracy

Source; http://www.webmastertechniques.com/Insight/cease.html

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InventYourself (01-02-2010)