A Blackhat Scorned: What to Do?
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Ok. So let’s put this out there. I offer free scripts on this site. Good scripts. All I ask, is that if someone puts it into public use, I want a backlink. I’ve specifically not promoted this site blackhat style, so it’d be safe for people to do so. So I get REALLY pissed when I see someone using it publically, and modifying the backlink, and indeed any mention of me out of it.
Now, I do not want to set a prescedent for my site where this is considered ok. You want to scrape my blog posts? I’ll take you on. Same as I expect you would when I do it. But scripts? Those are different. People get a benefit from blog posts. It’s normally a for-profit venture. I get jack from the scripts. Most downloads are straight from hotscripts, without even stopping in at my site. They cost me money. So I’ve been considering my options and have broken it down to a few. I have to investigate the legality of each before I do anything, so feel free to comment on that. But Here’s what I’ve got.
Right now, the script isn’t live, but I found it in a beta directory, and he’s already stripped all the identifying marks out of it. Also, it’s a site that tells people PR/Backlinks, so it’s an obvious addition.
- The Socially Acceptable Tactics
- Talk to the webhost. He’s running on hostgator, so they respond swiftly to complaints.
- Talk to him. Even though this was obviously a willful action, he might play nice if he knows I’m on to him.
- His whois info is fake. So I doubt the e-mail is ever checked.
- Do nothing. Violating my license is both karma, and unpreventable.
- The Shady Tactics of Debatable Legal Standing
- Google bomb. The term “flaming clitoris” will do.
- [img=xxxx] link spam. Drain the bandwidth until he cries.
For everybody out there. Don’t be afraid to download scripts. If you use them in public, give me a backlink. If you use them in private, you can do whatever you want. I could care less. It’s only fair. And also, I will contact you, no matter what before anything.
Also, don’t be afraid to link in to this site. I’m not using any blackhat tactic to promote my blog. I’m not doing anything involving a bad link neighborhood. I’m not selling links. Everything is pristine.
Ugh. So here’s the poll:
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November 18th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
First, let me say I enjoy your site - I’ve learned a lot, though we are strictly white-hat (for lots of reasons).
But are you really surprised that people take your scripts and use them without attribution? I read somewhere once that 99% of improvements to GPL type code are never seen outside the corporate walls.
If you’re pumping scripts out to increase your visibility to clients, then it really doesn’t matter if someone takes ‘em. You just need to dribble out new versions so that they are always chasing the L&G with their stripped-down/modded version.
I’m not sure I would chase them - it’s not going to change your revenue stream!
-OT
November 18th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
@Oliver
First and foremost, glad to hear you enjoy the site.
Second, I’m not surprised someone did this. Not in the slightest. However, I am surprised he messed up and allowed himself to show in my referrer log before he edited out the link.
That being said, I’m the vengeful type, for better or worse. Although I would definitely settle for a backlink ;).
I will also akwnowledge that you are the voice of reason in this. And maybe I won’t go after him. I’m really still deciding.
I’m slowly growing to favor the idea of releasing 10 different clones of his site, and shooting them out all over the net(although there are already dozens). That way, at least I’m profiting from it.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Uhh…for those of us who don’t speak english very well….
Just how would one go about draining someone else’s bandwith?
Just for my own personal knowledge.
November 19th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
Oh man. I hesitate to answer this. Think about the link spamming message boards, and images. That’s all I’ll say on the matter. I’m not sure if it’s legal, so I really should remove it from the options. This article was written when I was pretty pissy.
November 24th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I say first mail the webmaster and then G-bomb him. Give the guy a chance to play nice first…
May 7th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Admin, the image part is borderline illegal just FYI (I used to run web hosts)
My vote’s for google bomb. Hell, you want to do a combo - make him rank for PR lookup hahahaha
Oops @ his BW charges.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:11 am
checking in late, just found your site today will be adding it my rss feeds. I say contact him, it’s the cleanest way. If he doesn’t respond then contact his host and get him pulled.