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.