Now that search engines like Google are cracking down on duplicate Web content, it no longer makes sense, business-wise, for you to use the same basic content on more than one website. What this means is that the Web content you own -- that exquisite mix of words and graphics, with its proven ability to reach out, grab potential customers by the purse-strings, and drag them in -- is more valuable to you than ever. Unfortunately, in every human endeavor there are those who prefer to cash in on the efforts of others, and nowhere is that more true than on the Internet, where content can easily be duplicated and misused.

Ripped off!

When someone takes your content and passes it off as theirs, it's like you've been violated, well because you have been violated. They've reached into your pocket and stolen money from you. Worse, with the duplicate content penalty, if for some reason their site is considered higher priority than yours, they may crowd your original content out of the results with their ripped-off version. What do you do?

Getting your own back

Fortunately, you do have some recourse. Once you discover this outrage, your first step is to write the cheaters a quick email noting the duplicate content and asking them to remove this blatant violation of your intellectual copyright. This often works, but naturally there are always a few folks less than willing to comply. If they do not remove what is rightfully yours, you have the opportunity to initiate legal action against them. This is much more effective if you and your plagiarist live in the same country; as any Internet user knows, international law hasn't quite caught up to Internet technology. And another good tactic is to report them to their Internet Provider. Good luck, and don't give up the fight!