Real Estate Forums

Bama-Homer · 10-20-2006, 10:46 PM

I can't beleive this!

I created a hand drawn mls map for my area. I then spent way longer than neccessary plotting all the little points under the map so I could create links to the MLS area with JavaScript to show the corresponding homes for sale in that area.

Another broker in town stole it! Right off my page. He even had my blue tinted map on his black and gold site!

I notified him. Told him to remove it. He offered to pay. I gave him a price. He never responded, just put a "coming soon" note on that page.

Today, it is back up on his site, in the colors of my new site, but with a very slightly changed map. The JavaScript under the map is still identical. Right down to the code on the alt tags.

This is just unbelievable!

I guess I have no choice but to let my attorney handle this, but gosh, the nerve of some people!

This is the sad yet funny part. I was told he paid $5K to his web designer and it looks like all he received for his money is stolen content from a National website and my ripped off map.

The guy even boasts about how great a web builder he is because he finished it in one night. Probably not too hard to do when all you do is rip stuff off.

SEOWolf · 10-20-2006, 11:17 PM

I wonder if you reported him to your local Board with an Ethics Violation Complaint would do any good?

~VegasMack

Bama-Homer · 10-21-2006, 12:13 AM

The one positive about this situation is that I went on a discovery mission to learn what steps to take to protect my copyrights.

Places to go for remedy:

1. State Board
2. local Board
3. National affiliation (Re/Max, ERA, Century 21etc...)
4. relocation company affiliations (USAA, CARTUS, etc...)
5. places in which they do business / advertise
6. major search engines
7. Good Copyright Attorney

I can't say what kind of results I'll get, except for number 7. He's very confident when he's holding the certificate of copyright from the library of congress.

It is an unfortunate situation though, it could be settled very easily with removal of the offending content and an apology.

Las Vegas Homes · 10-24-2006, 07:15 PM

I have had that happen more time than one with our team website here in the Las Vegas real estate market. It is so frusterating to put time and effort into a project and then have someone come along and simply steal it! I feel your pain

AngelinCA · 10-27-2006, 08:16 AM

Wow, incredible someone would just do that! Especially after being told you had designed it. The nerve of some people

I'm just curious... did you ever back yourself up with the poor man's copyright (send copy of design to yourself in a sealed, certified envelope and after signing for its receipt, do not open)? You could always just go straight to Library of Congress (http://www.copyright.gov/) for a legit copyright form (always advised) ...that way there's no question. I always did the poor man's copyright before I did anything --it's the final proof that usually wins in case someone else tried to copyright our works.

I was a publisher for a long time --this might be a slightly different scenario, but often times we accepted use with mention of the designer and a link or contact info. It generated business so it was a win-win

Good luck with that! Let us know how it turns out..
Have a great day

REMAX LV · 11-07-2006, 08:30 AM

Yes, I have also had the same issues with people, typically other Las Vegas real estate agents, stealing my web content as well. It can be very frustrating, but there is not a whole lot in which you can do....

HHI Golf Guy · 11-07-2006, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REMAX LV

It can be very frustrating, but there is not a whole lot in which you can do....

Yes - there is. You should immediately file a DMCA complaint.

We had a web designer/SEO copy one the ad copy from the home page of one of our sites. Then they changed the name of the city to suit their own client.

They proceeded to post the plagiarized ad copy on 2 web sites, 2 blogs, and 4 Google base listings. I gathered all of the material for the DMCA complaint and wrote the complaint letter for the agent for them to submit.

Once the DMCA complaint goes through they plan to use that additional documentation in their lawsuit against the other site owner. They have to sue the site owner/broker (not the designer) because the broker owns the copyright to the site - even though she did not know the site was plagiarized. I assume the broker will then sue her web designer.

Las Vegas Real Estate · 11-21-2006, 06:39 PM

Yes, but depending on the nature of the plagerism, it is not always worth it to file a suit, is it? I have often times had the same things happen to me in the Las Vegas real estate market, even with marketing ideas and so forth, but I never really considered filing a complaint!