Thursday, August 8, 2013

:: Scraping Hurts!::


I wrote part of this yesterday in an email to one of my faithful readers here at Corn... and decided to share these thoughts with you and answer some questions if I can. 






So my blog is being SCRAPED... 

 I have no idea what it means or if SCRAPED stands for anything. I've read a so much since yesterday when I was informed of it...it makes my head swim. 

Here is what I know: 
It's plagiarism. 

pla·gia·rism

  [pley-juh-riz-uhm, -jee-uh-riz-]  Show IPA
noun
1.
an act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author withoutauthorization and the representation of that author's work as one's own, as by not crediting theoriginal author: It is said that he plagiarized Thoreau's plagiarism of a line written by Montaigne.appropriation, infringement, piracy, counterfeiting; theft, borrowing, cribbing, passing off.

This particular sight has author's another name attributed to all my blog posts (she is taking credit...or the robot she represents) I hate to think someone would do this...but apparently it happens. 

I have no idea why they are doing it except money... it takes content from my blog, sends it to theirs; and increasing traffic put $$$$ into their accounts. Google (and other search engines) don't like it; because basically hoses up the search with untrustworthy data and trash links. 
Can they do this without my consent?  They are. AND! there are sights out there that teach people HOW TO DO IT!!! 
Is it legal?  I. HAVE. NO. IDEA. I don't possibly see how it is legal or right! 
I'm just learning about all this--- and it isn't making me very happy. :/ 

This is not just my content and words but it is my reputation as a trustworthy blogger.
I'm not giving the link here...because I'm trying to do damage control.  This site is loaded with ads...and some aren't very nice!!! (for you curious types... you've been warned, should you stumble across it.)

I've been trying to work on it all day... to get it removed from the internet and putting up a block. 
It's over my head! 
Frustrating. 

Hope to keep you posted. Thanks for your questions and concerns/ interest in the matter. 
Thank you to my Savvy Friend at MRL for telling me this has happened. Because I would have never known if she hadn't of told me. ;)






Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds; because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ~ James 1: 2-3

 

15 comments:

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I have heard, but I can't confirm it, that if you do the "Read More" link after the first few sentences, the robots can't follow to copy on the fake blog. I don't know how to do it but this blogger does. Maybe she can help you. http://www.thankfulme.net/

Cheapchick said...

May they fry in H**L. I don't often say things like that but wow, how nasty. I hope you can get rid of them.

Cheapchick said...

PS I know how to add "jump breaks" - just did it on my blogspot.ca blog to check it out. When you are editing the post there looks like a page that is torn in half, you just type all of the blog post then place the curser after the first paragraph of your blog - you want the break to be - then hit the little page torn in half. Save and then have a look at your blog. You can actually do this on old blog posts too. Hope this helps - don't know if it prevents scrap-ng but now that Kathy suggested it I am going to do it on my blog. I found how to do it here:
https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/154172

Cheapchick said...

I also found this great link to explain how to prevent this:
http://www.craftiments.com/2012/08/how-to-discourage-feed-scraping-in.html

The Boston Lady said...

Pat, I've been thinking about this all day and it's made me angry on your behalf and on a lot of other peoples' as well. It may not be illegal, but it sure is unethical and, and, it's cheating!!! I wish there was a way that readers of that blog could be notified that they are reading stolen material. I'm sure if the person (robot) had asked if she could share some of your great posts, you would have let her through the proper means. If this being is receiving money for "writing" this blog, it's sponsors or bosses should know they are dealing with a dishonest writer. Maddening. Ann

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Oh I hate that this has happened to you, I see you have done the page breaks and I hear that works....I have to tell you, I thought your blog was shutting down...I was so sad. So, I am relieved that you are not leaving. I know you will get this fixed. do let us know if you get the blog shut down

Carol

Patty Sumner said...

what???? I have never heard of this....how awful! How can you find out or how did the one who informed you find ou? I do not make money from mine but it is terrible to think that someone could steal your content...Praying they get shut down and you can solve this. Blessings my Friend!

Sunny Simple Life said...

Wow how did you find out or how did your friend find out? Sometimes things like this make me just want to chuck it all in and quit don't you?

NanaDiana said...

Oh- That is so awful. There have been a couple of bloggers that have written about having their blogs hacked before. It is an awful thing and I hope you can get it fixed. xo Diana

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Morning Brenda, I am so sorry this has happened to you, I have read about it before, but to be perfectly honest I do not know how it happens.
I cannot understand why anyone would do this to you, and surely it must be illegal as someone is stealing your hard work.
I hope you are able to sort this out soon.
Best Wishes to you,
Daphne

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

After reading this, I went back and put in a "jump break" in my blog post from yesterday. I hope it prevents this. Thanks for sharing.

Lisa | Fresh Eggs Daily® said...

I had read a similar article a few months ago and do the jump breaks also on blogger.

Lisa | Fresh Eggs Daily® said...

It is illegal but nearly impossible to stop unless you hire and atty. I notice other blogs have at the bottom of each post 'this orginally appeared on the XYZ blog, if you are reading it anywhere else, it's been stolen'. Not sure how that helps, but at least others know.

Lisa | Fresh Eggs Daily® said...

I think you SHOULD share the website that is doing this because it has happened to me twice and when I went to the site, I found other bloggers I know also being stolen from so I was able to notify them as well. These blogs don't just steal from one place, all their content is stolen and it might be easier to band together with others with the same problem to get them shut down.

One who stole from me was actually on FB also, sending fans to their 'blog'. I blew up their fb page with my fans heading over to accuse them of stealing and they eventually did take down my posts off their blog. Sad that a public calling out is sometimes necessary.

Another way to fight this is to include links to other articles on your blog - or even your blog main pain within the text of your blog. That way its very obvious if you ever need to prove that the content was originally yours.

Angel said...

I have heard of this from another website pal I have. INFURIATING!
It is illegal in the U.S. because basically anything you write and add your name on is copyrighted to you. Period.