UPDATE: Content removed as per requested. Personal email credentials removed from the original post. Check the comments for the explanation.
I thought I would try the nice route by sending a few emails directly to the domain owner but it looks like I’m going to have to make this public. Regular readers & fans who have followed myself and my activities online via 5ThirtyOne are undoubtedly aware of my somewhat sharing personality. However, there are certain situations where I ask that content or design not be used. Unfortunately, certain individuals often decide to disregard these requests or “copyright” rules in order to better their own online presence.
At approximately 7:30AM, I stumbled upon referral links from the Red Card Group [main page]. I snapped the screenshots as proof and sent a couple emails kindly requesting that the content be removed immediately.
Nine hours later, the Red Card Group has yet to reply to my emails or remove the design. Not only that, based off the screenshot above [as proof], they are now taking the time to replace content with their own.
So, if you’ve been an avid reader, fan, or proponent to design ripping disrespectful bastards, feel free to drop the group an email at email@removed.com or email@removed.com. The fact that the host nor domain owner has yet to reply is extremely irritating.
Evan
Jun 7th, 2006
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Way uncool. You’ve given a lot, so your wishes to not give something yet should be respected. Now would be a great time to flex some 9 Rules muscle. Contact them and see if they have any advice. Is there anything you want people to do?
Chris Goodrich
Jun 7th, 2006
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Not Cool!
At least you are getting plenty of referral links from it, but still not cool. Keep all your documentation and possibly you could go to their host if they refuse to pull this down.
Good luck!
Brendan
Jun 7th, 2006
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Can you tell if they are pulling the CSS, images etc from you directly?
If so, you could always add some ‘decorative’ large RED text to the template reminding them that stealing is uncool and causes testicular shrinkage.
I would take all documentary evidence you have and email / contact their hosting provider asking them to remind their customer / take down the site.
Phil Bowell
Jun 7th, 2006
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The fact that they have stolen your design is bad enough, but if you look at their archives they have actually stolen your content as well. Thats even worse than just design stealing. Shocking!!!
Brendan
Jun 7th, 2006
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A quick check of the source suggests they do pull quite a bit of content directly from your site.
Create a .htaccess rule to block any access from that server’s IP address or ‘add’ content that displays on their site only.
Either way - the message will be understood a little more clearly.
Trackback
Jun 7th, 2006
smackfoo › 5ThirtyOne - Red Card Group 5ThirtyOne?
Evan
Jun 7th, 2006
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This reminds me of this story on UNEASYsilence
http://www.uneasysilence.com/archive/2005/12/4857/
Derek, you should do something like this and take some screenshots for our enjoyment. Anyone else agree?
Derek
Jun 7th, 2006
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[quote comment="1894"]Is there anything you want people to do?[/quote]
Just sit tight for now. I got in contact with someone in the household via phone. Hopefully they’ll pass the message on that I’m not too happy with my personal design being used for their own needs.
Now before anyone starts jumping the guns saying that some of the links point back here, and that my name is still in the footer, understand that the pages content has slowly changed from it’s original state earlier this morning. Previously, the directory reflected an older Skype related post. As of this evening, the main post body reflects content from the Red Card Group. Images are also being removed as well.
Peter S.
Jun 7th, 2006
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Looks like it has been taken down.
Brian
Jun 7th, 2006
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I took the offending theme down myself while our technical wizard, Brendon, has a chance to respond.
I’ll take this time right now to personally apologise for the violations that were carried out these last few days. I was under the impression that my teammate had used creative commons themes from you and not explicitly copyrighted materials. I will wait and see what he has to say.