Before I start this, can I suggest that you go to your dashboard, press settings and press site feed. Once you've done that have a look at the top section entitled Allow Blog Feeds and make sure that you have clicked short. This means that a short excerpt of your blog can be used for google searches but that a whole blog post cannot be syndicated. Done? Great!
Yesterday morning I made the decision to stop blogging. It just felt too disgusting to think of my stories and pictures being posted out there on a foreign blog as if they belonged to somebody else.A little while later I came and read some of your wonderful comments and decided I didn't want to stop. This is my community and I love it.
Not long after, I decided to open up a new blog with a new name and start all over again. I couldn't decide whether I should keep it completely separate and secret, or if I should leave the new details on my other blog or in my comments or somewhere else.
Then I started thinking up new names for my new blog.
But then I got angry. This is my blog, these are my words and my photos and my stories and nobody has the right to take them and use them without my permission.
And then I started googling and found out that I was right. Just because it is on the internet does not mean that it is free for the taking. What that blogger did to me is called website hijacking and is a copyright infringement.
I spent ages searching and reading and I found out that this happens often and that there is a lot of information out there about what to do if it happens to you.
These are some of the sites that I found helpful
- What-to-do-when-your-blog-content-is-copied.
- What to do when someone steals your content.
- The Digital Millenium Copyright Act.
- Domain Based Research Services.
In the end my situation was resolved quite easily.
I left several comments on the offending blog asking them to remove my posts immediately, and when they were ignored I wrote a polite but firm email explaining the situation and asking that the posts be removed. I sent the email to the website administrator and the website host.
A few hours later I received an email with an apology letting me know that my posts had been taken down.
I think I was really lucky to have had a conclusion so quickly but I am still a bit freaked out that this must have been going on for quite some time without my knowledge.If you want to know if anyone is using any part of your content, put your URL in here; http://www.copyscape.com/.
So peeps, my advice to you is to be very careful what you put on your blog because you have no idea who is reading it and what is being done with it.
A huge thank you to those who left supportive comments, emails, suggestions of ways to deal with it and who commented on the offending blog. I appreciate it beyond words. Thanks also to my Farmer Boy, you are so ace. You are calm and sensible and balance my over emotionality so well. It scares me to think of how badly I could have dealt with this without you.
Gotta fly, we've got wet wool laid out and its time to go and paint it.
Have fun out there.
Love Kate (http://foxslane.blogspot.com/)
So happy you have been able to remove your content from that blogspot and that you have decided to keep blogging! Thanks also for all of your suggestions and links to help all of us try to avoid being hijacked.
ReplyDeleteSo happy there was a solution to it Kate. We would be so unhappy without your weekly posts. I cannot wait to seehow your dyed wool turns out too.
ReplyDeletethanks for the tips Kate, I have just changed my settings, I had no idea about that whole syndication thingee.
ReplyDeleteI let out a sad sigh when I read you were going to close. I am so glad that you decided to continue ...
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to get a response finally and that your blog posts were removed from the site.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sitefeed tip, I went and updated mine before I commented!
Looking forward to seeing the outcome of the dyeing.
I didn't know what happened and had to go to your post yesterday...This is horrid, it is no wonder you are upset, I am upset for you, it makes me sick and affraid. I read some of the comments and I don't like that this is going on, it sounds like, all over. I used to be real careful and tell my daughter to not give out the childrens names on her blog and then I started trusting and now I see that there are bad people in blogland where we all felt safe. I am angry, angry for you and angry for all of us that we can't be free from thieves even here...So I guess I had better go back to the beginning of this post and do that thing you said to do that I didn't understand...Once again I am so sorry for this awful thing happening to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're not packing it in, I would have missed your blog terribly. Thanks also for the sitefeed tip - going now to do what I can to protect mine.
ReplyDeleteI love Fox's Lane, Kate. We all felt infringed on your behalf. xxx
I nearly died when I read the heading in my Google reader, with no explenation . So I came to you blog and am real glad that u got them to take down Ur posts. And most of all staying put. Phew.
ReplyDeleteThats great that they have removed them now. Thank you so much for posting all this info - I've changed my settings too. xx
ReplyDeleteWow! How stressful and what a yucky thing to deal with. I guess we think everyone is as nice as us in the blog world, shame some spoil it. Glad it's sorted out and thanks for letting us know, Eleesa x
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that something so horrible was happening to your beautiful and always inspirational blog but I'm glad with the help of your calm man you've decided to stay and that things have been resolved. Thank you for the helpful links and tips too. I hope you can rest a bit easier now. Enjoy you day lovely. xo
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that this has all been resolved for you. It's such a shame that this sort of thing goes on. Glad you're back!
ReplyDeleteSo glad things were handled quickly and thanks for all the info. Even more excited that you are sticking around. And to see how your "painting" turns out. How fun :)
ReplyDeleteso glad it all has been resolved :-
ReplyDelete) thank you so much for the info in dashboard settings. I have just done it..
Have a wonderful day
Thanks for the information Kate. Sorry again that his happened to you. What would we do without our trusty men folk and our friends? All the best. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you decided to stay with 'us'. If you stopped blogging it leave huge gap in my online joys and inspirations. Don't let the bastards get you down. Keep calm and blog on!
ReplyDeleteI was holding my breath when I read that you were thinking of not blogging anymore. I am so glad that you have resolved it. I have been reading about some terrible examples of BLATANT plagiarism lately (mostly blogs and fabric designs). Does nobody have an original idea of their own these days?
ReplyDeleteYay! Fantastic outcome Kate.
ReplyDeletex
*phew!*
ReplyDeleteWith a blog title like that, and the second paragraph, I was freaking out over here!
So glad it's been dealt with & that you're not leaving us! The blog feed thing though... Well, if everybody does that it is going to make my blog reading a whole lot more time consuming, I use google reader & when feeds aren't allowed I have to click over to that blog to read it & well, sometimes I just don't because the post title doesn't grab me, I haven't much time or I just can't be assed...
My heart skipped a beat then when you said you were quitting! Whatever would we all do without your gorgeous blog??!! Glad that you have it sorted to your satisfaction, don't ever let the bastards get you down.
ReplyDeletexxxx
p.s. and thanks for the tips. This blog post will be a great resource for someone else dealing with the same thing :)
Sleep well tonight knowing you have been instrumental in helping this blogworld become a better if not safer forum for all of us who love to share. Im so very glad and happy for you that youre staying with us but would have supported you if you chose the other. Only you truly know how you feel. All we can do is sympathise. Thankyou Kate, x
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you are going to keep hanging around, kiddo. I'd miss you.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that you took that time to post. I have changed my settings and am going to look through the other things.
:)
BRILLIANT advice - thanks so much. It's also nice to hear that you're staying, on your terms. Good for you, and great for us. You're a gem! Nic
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've been able to take control of YOUR blog again, and good for you for not quitting, It's so freaky what some people will do. It's just a shame that you had to spend your valuable time sorting it out and we will also benefit from that, thank-you
ReplyDeleteThanks for all these tips Kate.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty guarded when it comes to what I put on my blog and it has become more of a catalog than anything else but I'm ok with that x
Excellent news Kate, so glad it's sorted & that you are feeling better about it all, what would we do without the rational thinking men in our lives... Thanks so much for the tips I really appreciate you passing them on x
ReplyDeleteWell done, why should you have to change?? Following the tips, i've already done them, love Posie
ReplyDeleteI've done that short thingie and updated my copyright statement! Shessh....nothing like becoming a techno wizz over night!!!xx
ReplyDeleteGlad it has been resolved Kate. Still a bit creepy thinking it happens at all though!
ReplyDeleteHope the wool dying goes well, looking forward to seeing the results! Cheers.
Beautiful Kate, when I read your post that said you were not going to post anymore, my whole world tilted and I cannot tell you how devestated i was to read this, I am so grateful that you have taken a stand and will continue. I love your blogs, your beautiful pictures, your family and all your animals and amazing AMAZING adventures and creations. It gives my life a richness that I would not have without this. Thank you for continuing.
ReplyDeleteDeb
xxxxx
Hey Kate, a timely warning to all of us.Thanks for doing all the research on how to deal with this situation, should we find it happening to us.
ReplyDeleteSoooo glad you are going to keep blogging, but I had a sneaky little feeling that you wouldn't be able to stay away from the blogging world!
Well done, on the way you handled this nasty little episode and that it has been resolved quickly. Hope you can put it behind you and move forward and keep enjoying what you do so well.
hi Kate
ReplyDeletevery glad its all resolved. Unfortunately I think we all have to have in the back of our mind the not so good things that can happen when we blog. I know ive become alot more reserved over time with my blogging because of it- and thats what makes me more comfortable to continue....
btw I have ric racked up a storm - a couple of not so great pics on my blog if you want to take a look
cheers
jane
Thanks for all the tips! I took your advice and change my feed and also checked to see if my blog had been copied. Luckily enough for me it had not. I am glad you got your posts removed from that other blog. And I am glad to see you will be staying in the blog world. We would have missed you!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate
ReplyDeleteGreat advice and so happy it has been sorted out quickly for you.
I really enjoy your blog and would hate you to give it up for a sour reason like this one!
It is great to have such a supporting other half. Wouldn't know what to do without mine!
aeonie
Glad it's all sorted. I have followed your advice and I'm much more at ease now!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that you will keep blogging.xx
OH WOW Kate, I had no idea about that kind of things you talk about naive!!So sorry you had to go through that horror but I am glad you got it sort out , learned so much and taught us soooo much!
ReplyDeleteI had an incident a little while ago walking through a market and seeing almost the exact copies of some of my designs, I felt so sick for such a long time...but thanks to friends and partner got over it...but really need to protect things a little better if it is even possible!
Take care x
Thank you for your advice, I've followed it and I seem to be OK. It's just awful when you feel you have to change things because of other people. Good for you for carrying on, we'd miss you too much otherwise. Now sit back and relax with a nice cuppa.
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo well done Kate! A true mama bear who, when threatened, got straight out there to fight to protect what's hers. Thanks for the links. I forgot to mention the lovely photos yesterday - mud pies for tea then!
ReplyDeleteJak xx
So glad you didn't let the bad guys win!
ReplyDeleteSO glad it's all resolved and they've taken your posts off.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for the fantastic info and links about this whole buisness.
And can I say I'm super happy you are not giving up your blog. I would miss you too much. xo
so glad you are staying with us Kate - this is your space ! and we do so love to visit.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be just catching up on this terrible scene - and thanks so much for giving us all a timely warning and some great links - off to appease the inner nerd and follow these up :)
Yeah! Power to the (original) Kate! Love the strength and fortitude you've shown here Kate. You rock x
ReplyDeletePhew, I'm glad you got it all sorted out. Thanks for the tips. Hope the yarn painting was fun and messy and worked! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate,
ReplyDeleteI just realised today is the equinox. It has been a real turning point for you and all who love you. May all continue to grow in the warmth of the new season. Jacinta
Hi Kate, so glad you were able to sort it out successfully and quickly. I can't even imagine the stress of it. Well done for facing it so openly and for the good outcome. Lots of lessons learned for a lot of us
ReplyDeleteFiona xx
You've got it handled. Thanks for informing the rest of us. It's a done deal here too!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you have fought and won this battle. I really love your blog, and (very selfishly) are happy that you're going to stick around. It's really unfortunate that you feel you have to censor your blog now. But you gotta do what you gotta do.
ReplyDeleteI, like many others, are glad you are continuing with your blog. Being taken advantage of isnt nice but your wonderful blog obviously brings alot of inspiration and joy to many honest people. Thanks for sticking around :) Sof
ReplyDeletePS Im loving the muddy pics. FUN!
Kate - So glad you are continuing your blog and that you got that resolved so quickly. It is creepy for sure! I try to be careful w/ what I post after hearing similar stories to yours. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeletethanks for the tips Kate I have ammended my settings.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you decided to stay and keep your blog, you are right another one wouldn't be the same and I would miss you if you left :-)
What dyes are you using this time??
Love reading updates and insights into your beautiful world. Am very happy, for you and me, that this is not the end. Thank you :)
ReplyDeleteI use the website www.tynt.com to help control the use of my content. It automatically puts a trackback to your site if someone uses your words or images. It also allows you to follow links to your site as well as copies that anyone makes of your blog. It's worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteIck. The whole thing sounds awful. Thank you for sharing what you have learnt.
ReplyDeleteYour so awesome! If you left the blogesphere we would have to ordain a public holiday in memory of you and your fantastic blog. The interest you show to us beginner bloggers is really encouraging. I am, and I think all of us, are glad you are sticking around.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had some kind of resolution and thanks for the tips and info - off to change my settings.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly what I meant, well done and thanks a lot for reminding me this simple trick.
ReplyDeleteI admire your perseveration.
well done =) so happy that you are still here <3
ReplyDelete(and thanks for the tips!)
Thanks for your advice. I never thought people would be so mean and steal your blog content.
ReplyDeleteI linked to your last two posts in my blog to tell my German readers to be careful when blogging. Hope that's okay? If not, please let me know.
Best Wishes,
Sal
Thank you for sharing your results and research with us all. We all have lots to learn about this - well I do anyway ☺
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the wool results
Thanks for the tip! I am glad you are feeling a bit more in control of what has happened and able toget it fixed. It is definately something that I will be more aware of. I love the pics accompanying these posts, very symbolic.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post and well done Kate on making it happen. I really should be more careful too. Thanks for the great tips! And a big thumbs down to website hijackers!
ReplyDeleteschool holiday happenings have kept me away and so this morning when i checked in on you i was sorry to hear about your distressing incident. good on you for taking the bull by the horns and choosing not to pack it in. you are way too good for that.thanks for the advise. i had no idea. protect what is yours kate. you work so hard for it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're staying.
ReplyDeleteI would miss you
l
x
I've always been a bit wary of putting too much information on my blog, but I've been getting a bit lax of late. This is a good reminder of why I started with that attitude! I'm glad you've found a quick resolution, and a way to continue that's a bit more secure. This whole situation is a bit like identity theft, really, and completely unethical. Gross.
ReplyDeleteI hope the yarn colouring was fun!!
Good on you for sticking it to them - what pricks! (did want to write something a little more fruity but have restrained and showed some decorum.)
ReplyDeleteNewbies like me are lucky to learn from girls like yourself.
Thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to future posts.
You handled this (creepy) situation brilliantly! Thanks for the tips too. I changed my settings too. I'm glad you're sticking around!
ReplyDeletePS My man brings me back to earth when I start having a freak out too. So good.
I'm glad the baddies didn't scare you off. Screw em!
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you need me to hire some goons for you xxx
Thanks for the tips...sorry you had to go through such an invasion in order to help others out. I've changed my settings now too thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteLovely blog....glad you're not throwing it in!
oh my kate, this is all so disturbing. thank you for the info on copyscape. i tried my blog and it was being used on all these expat sites. so strange to think someone is reading my blog just waiting for me to write something about being an american in australia. eek and yuck. xo.
ReplyDeletethat's great news that you got them to take YOUR posts down. good job. and big thanks for the practical tips! i have read of others having this happen to them, but haven't seen the warning about the blog feeds thing before. i followed your instructions right away!
ReplyDeleteand thanks for talking about your reactions to the whole horribleness. it was good to read about all your decisions along the way to come to the conclusion that you would keep on blogging here.
Oh dear - that is scary - what a shock. Glad that you have sorted it out - be gone stealers.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were able to get this nasty business resolved. Great to see you are not going to let them get the better of you. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all you advice.
XXX
Glad it has been resolved so quickly. And glad you are staying, I love your blog :)
ReplyDeleteI am late to read this, as I was avoiding my blog for a few days as your post gave me the eebie-geebies, and had me thinking do I want to do this anymore?
But yes, I do want to continue blogging too!
Thank you for all the links and info.
Have changed over to short. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeletethose dresses in the next post are gorgeous btw
xx cinti
Very interesting! Glad to hear it's not put you off blogging and thanks for sharing the tips on what to do in a similar situation. Hope all goes well for you now.
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea! Just updated my settings and am glad you have resolved your issues.
ReplyDeleteTake Care :)
I'm so glad you didn't let them push you around, and that you got an apology out of someone in the chain. And I want to thank you for all the research you did and for sharing your information. I enjoy your stories and following your blog and I'm happy you're still going to be here.
ReplyDeleteI read blogs through Google Reader and by taking the step you suggest here, it keeps your blog from showing more than the name of your blog, rather than the post.
ReplyDeleteI, personally, find this most annoying and tend not to click the extra click to go directly to the blog and read it. IOW, if I can't read the blog on my reader, I generally skip it.
Just a different point of view.
I am glad you can be in contol now Kate, however with over 300 in my google reader I do seem to skip over the post that don't automatically pop up. Being a non blogger, I shouldn't complain I know. Will promise to click in everynow and then to catch up.
ReplyDeleteKerry
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