I was recently informed of a website using copy from our site to promote theirs. Naturally we were a bit pissed but intruigued how the informant knew our words were being used elsewhere because that’s like matching 2 needles in a haystack. They told me about Copyscape and I have to say, I’m very impressed. What happens is this, you insert your site’s URL into their search and they then search the web finding websites with text that matches yours. In other words finding people too lazy to write their own copy.

We found several sites that have ripped parts of our ‘Things we do’ page — word for word. I contacted all biters involved and whilst one was deeply apologetic explaining they’d hired a copywriter and hadn't realised he’d stolen our text and passed it off for his. The 2nd thief was quite arrogant assuming we’d made a mistake. The final stealer justsimply ignored my emails.

Bunch of dirty thieves — it took me ages to write our website copy so this is why I’ve created a new blog category called Rants, you are reading the 1st of many  ;)

Thanks to GrafixGirl for the heads up.

Edit 10.08.07: Still no word from the two companies who haven't amended their sites. I just ran both these sites through Copyscape to see if they had used anyone elses copy words. Turns out Squared Designs also steals copy from Good (who have just been informed). Yay for Copyscape!!

Edit 10.08.02: Another email back from one of the culprits. They apologised and have agreed to remove the text. So, just one more to go.