personal property inventory / home inventory
Our Website Was Copied and What I Did About It – Part 3
(Part 1 and Part 2 are the previous posts of how I found our site was copied and what actions we took to rectify this action. This post concludes this “interesting” experience.)
A few days later, I checked the URL and the home page had an “under construction” notice. This made me believe that they had complied with our request to cease and desist the copyright infringement of our home inventory service website and all was settled.
For some reason, though, a few days later I felt a need to do a little more digging. Unfortunately, I found that the site was not taken down, nor even edited at this point. The only change made was the home page!
This proved to me that they still had the intention to use our site and content as their own. At this point, I notified our webmaster, as her name and contact link was in the footer of this website. Though we have the copyright, she didn’t want her name associated with someone who was not willing to abide by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
This has been a process that I hope to never have to go through again. And unfortunately, it’s not over. I will continue to watch for their site to go live – hopefully with new content!
There is one other issue I must mention here. We also own a turnkey business package company, Hartman Inventory Systems. Similar to a franchise, we provide, among many other items, a complete marketing package which includes a website. Our Hartman Inventory service company website is the template for these sites, which means that our Group Members purchase the right to this website. We must pursue those who infringe on our copyright for ourselves, but also for those who have properly and legally invested in the rights to this design and content! Additionally, if others use our site and/or content, the confusion of association could happen. In essence, we are protecting our Group Members’ rights as well as our own.
With the plethora of information on the internet today, this will remain an issue. All business owners must be diligent in fighting this cyber theft. We spend too much time and effort building our companies to allow anyone to steal our most important asset – our intellectual property!
Our Website Was Copied and What I Did About It – Part 2 of 3
(Part 1 shared how I discovered our website was copied.)
The first thing I did was call our business coach, J.Sewell Perkins. She is a great mentor and advisor and exactly what I needed. It is important to handle this type of issue – and any issue for that matter – properly and professionally.
We decided that it’s possible this person didn’t know that it was illegal to copy others’ information (I’m surprised to learn that many think if it’s on the internet, it’s fair game!). We wanted to give this new business owner the benefit of the doubt, so we chose to contact her.
When looking at WhoIs.com, the only name available was the technical advisor. Therefore, I sent a letter to him via email and registered letter stating our findings and requesting that the site be taken down in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. We requested that he sign and return the agreement by a specific date. He emailed and stated that he was creating this site as a favor for a friend who is starting a home inventory business. He admitted that it was a shoe-string operation, that they liked our site design and decided to use it as a basis to start from. He continued to state that they did not respect our privacy, and hoped that it wasn’t compromised. He also promised to return the signed agreement promptly.
I don’t know about you, but if I got a letter of this type, I would take it seriously! We didn’t hear from him by the deadline, so additional research was my next step. I was able to locate the owner of the company through a search on the internet that took me to a LinkedIn page. A second letter was sent out with a request for immediate response, letting the owner know I had not heard from the web developer.
Rather than hire an attorney, we chose to handle it this way because, based on the words the web developer used (shoe-string), we had to assume that funds were at a minimum. And, as with others who have experienced copyright infringement, all we wanted was to have the site taken down and that they create – and pay for – their own material. It is not just the copied work that is at issue here. The time and money spent on creating the website, writing the content, etc., runs into the tens of thousands of dollars. This is theft, plain and simple.
At the same time, I also notified the hosting company that this site was infringing on our copyright. I was required to provide proof of our date of copyright and also send screen shots of both websites, validating my claim.
By this point, this was taking up a huge amount of my time, which would be much better spent working on our business! I see why others pay a company to handle these issues! (We now have all of our websites protected and monitored by DMCA.)
We finally received the signed agreement, stating they would cease and desist using our website code and content. They also promised to take their site down immediately. But did they?
Our Website Was Copied and What I Did About It – Part 1
I use Google Alerts, as many professionals and small business owners do, to find information based on various key words of their industry. One of the many benefits I’ve realized is that it allows me to find articles and blog posts I’ve written that are posted by others. I sometimes write and thank them for sharing, as it is definitely a form of flattery when someone re-posts your writing – and shares it properly (linking and giving credit).
Using Google Alerts also helps me easily stay up to date on the home inventory industry. I can scan the information quickly to find useful information about the various needs for a home or business inventory.
I was recently reading my daily Alert when I noticed that a new home inventory company had been established. It is always interesting to me to review these new sites, see where they’re located, and how they’re providing their service, etc.
Was I surprised when I clicked on this specific link and was looking at “our” website, but under their domain name! The only thing that was different was the name of the company! I was shocked. Then I was angry! They had copied our site! And not just the content, they had also copied the code, photos, color scheme – everything. It was an exact copy! Copyright infringement at its “finest”.
Once all the emotions subsided, I showed Mike, husband and business partner, what I had discovered. It was interesting watching him mentally download what he was seeing, and going through all the emotional stages I had just completed.
Once I got a grip on the reality of the situation, we had a huge decision to make: what to do about it!
Oh My! Panties, Bras and Rolls of …?
Panties, bras and … what? Rolls of valuable coins in your lingerie drawer? Of these three items, one just doesn’t seem to belong!
If you have a large stash of cash, collections of rare coins or a large number of rolls of coins hidden here, it’s best to place them elsewhere. Why?
People often hide items of high value among their lingerie. Statistics show that this is a common place and, unfortunately, burglars know this, too. It’s one of the first places they look!
Smart people secure proper insurance, but it’s just the first step in securing your financial security. Having a thorough inventory completed by a nationally certified home inventory service will help ensure that you get the benefits you are entitled. Receive a maximized claim by remembering and proving ownership after an insurable event.
How Do You Make Your Customers Feel?
There seems to be a lot of stress and tension exhibited frequently in the workplace – on the phone as well as in person. It’s not just me – a lot of people are talking about less-than-friendly attitudes from a variety of people in a wide range of industries.
Are people so wrapped up in their own issues that they have forgotten to care and show courtesy to others? Or are the employees just mirroring the company culture?
I recently had a very unpleasant phone conversation regarding a personal matter with a large company. Well, actually, it wasn’t the company I spoke to, but a person who was in the customer service department. Customer and Service didn’t belong in the same sentence with this company! I was constantly interrupted and told I was plain-and-simple-wrong. Wow! Can you imagine how I felt when the call was over? Not that I expected to change their company policy (though someone should), all I wanted was to be heard and shown a little consideration. I felt horrible immediately after the call, and it stayed with me for hours, like a dark cloud over my head.
I recently visited Biechele Royce Advisors, in Fishers, Indiana, and well….SUNSHINE, baby! No dark clouds in this office! As I entered, I was warmly welcomed by Cathy with a smile and very pleasant, “How can I help you?” She quickly notified Alice Howe that I had arrived to discuss our home inventory service and how we can serve their clients. Alice immediately entered the reception area with a warm handshake and a smile. Compared to my previous telephone incident, I thought I had died and gone to heaven! On to the conference room where Justin Whelan and Brian Hoskins offered such a comfortable atmosphere that I felt we’d been friends for years.
What a difference! How do you make your customers and visitors feel? Will they never want to call or shop with you again, or will they want to actually become a customer or client? Each of these two companies had a choice. Biechele Royce Advisors made the right one!
When Imitation is Not a Form of Flattery
We all know the old saying that imitation is a form of flattery. Well, I beg to differ with that – at least when it comes to plagiarism!
I frequently find a blog or article that I’ve written copied word-for-word as someone else’s work. Some even have the nerve to post their name as the author! Finding who to contact is usually impossible.
If I’m credited for the article, that’s absolutely fine. And, of course, I am very flattered that others find my writings worth sharing with their readers.
However, recently I discovered something that goes way beyond a blog post or an article. I found a website – yes, an entire website – that was copied word-for-word from ours! It even included the credit of our webmaster that many companies include at the bottom of the web pages. Frustration and anger turned to laughter when I realized all links were live, leading people directly to OUR site! It was obvious someone copied the code as well as the content.
Funny or not, this type of imitation is not flattery. It is called plagiarism, copyright infringement and downright theft. I can tell you what it cost us to have this website developed, edited, updated, SEO’d (if there is such a word), etc. It was a LOT of money. And when someone decides to just take that away, it is no different than a burglary – someone stealing a computer, furniture or money from our office. It’s theft. Plain and simple. Not flattery at all!
Although, it does show that we have a deluxe website – one that others wish they had. When you take the good with the bad, this is one good take-away. We are the most imitated home inventory business! And we are proud of that.
Back to the copyright infringement – we got it all ironed out. But that is a story for another day….
Ten More Things A Burglar Won’t Tell You
Last week we shared 10 things a burglar won’t tell you, from information provided by a retired Detroit police office.
Prevention is a way to reduce the chance of your items being stolen from your home or business, though it won’t eliminate it entirely.
We were burglarized twice, so realize how difficult it is to remember everything you own(ed) before the loss. This experience is what encouraged us to provide a nationally certified home inventory service. Needing to file a claim after items are stolen is a difficult task, and you will most likely forget or be able to prove many items listed on your insurance claim.
Though you won’t be exempt from experiencing a loss, here are 10 more things a burglar won’t tell you:
- Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
- I’ll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he’ll stop what he’s doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn’t hear it again, he’ll just go back to what he was doing. It’s human nature.
- I’m not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
- I love looking in your windows. I’m looking for signs that you’re home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I’d like. I’ll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
- Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
- To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it’s an invitation.
- If you don’t answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
- Do you really think I won’t look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
- You’re right: I won’t have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it’s not bolted down, I’ll take it with me.
- A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you’re reluctant to leave your TV on while you’re out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
You can find this device at Fake TV.
Ten Things A Burglar Won’t Tell You
We often share how to keep your house and belongings safe from burglaries, fires and natural disasters. As nationally certified home inventory professionals, and victims of two burglaries, we know the value of having a thorough inventory of your house and business contents.
Today we’re sharing tips from a retired Detroit police officer. This is a twist from our normal safety tips, as these are words from burglars themselves.
Here are 10 things a burglar won’t tell you:
- Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
- Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
- Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste… and taste means there are nice things inside.
- Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
- Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
- If it snows while you’re out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
- If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don’t let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it’s set. That makes it too easy.
- A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom – and your jewelry. It’s not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there, too.
- It’s raining, you’re fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door – understandable. But understand this: I don’t take a day off because of bad weather.
- I always knock first. If you answer, I’ll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters (don’t take me up on it).
Got Jewelry?
You should be aware that a jewelry box is one of the first items burglars will grab as they rush through a house. Seriously consider not placing your high-value jewelry items in such a place that makes it easy for the thief!
Smart people will place the pieces in a safe deposit box or elsewhere in the house where a burglar will have difficult gaining access. If you have a safe that is small and capable of being carried away, have it bolted to the floor.
Professional burglars know they have a limited time in the house when there is an alarm system. Make it difficult for them to minimize your loss. Also have a home inventory so you can prove ownership and remember what was taken. This will be quite beneficial as you complete your insurance claim. In the stress of the aftermath of this invasion of your privacy, the chance is great that you will forget many items that are missing. A nationally certified home inventory professional will create a thorough document so you are prepared when something like this happens.
No Way! You Keep THAT In Your Child’s Closet?
No Way! Your kids honestly have fur coats and leather jackets in their closets?
Actually, that’s a smart place to put them. According to a Detroit Police Officer, burglars state that they rarely go into the kids’ rooms when they’re burglarizing a home.
Smart people know how to properly take care of their belongings, and this is a great tip.
Though these coats and jackets we inventoried belong to the adults, hanging them in the kids’ closets will help ensure they’re not stolen if a burglar breaks into the home. It’s also a wise choice to secure a home inventory so the items that are stolen can be identified and proven when the police recover them. Photos and a description of these high-value items are also an essential part of recovering funds from your insurance company after a loss. If you don’t want to bother creating your home inventory, click here to locate a nationally certified home inventory professional.
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