Attack of the Cloners!
Sadly this is not the first time my portfolio (jasondorn.com) has been ripped off since I launched the current version. This is actually the third time I’ve come across a site that decided to copy my site right down to the source code. I discovered this particular gem because they hadn’t even bothered to remove my google analytics tracking code, so they kept showing up right in my own traffic reports.
Awesome work guys. Maybe remove the analytics code next time.
The last few times this happened I’ve been content to simply send the “designer” an email and ask them to take it down without the need to name and shame.
But given the fact that this is a commercial site for Raj & Raj Interiors and it contains their copyright on it, along with a “Site Designed & Maintained by Integrated Databases India Limited.” notice which seems to have been placed there by GigaSoft, I have decided that the full naming and shaming of all parties involved is warranted.
In edition to naming and shaming them here, all parties have also received a cease and desist letter from yours truly, with the following tid-bit inserted:
In the circumstances, I demand that you immediately:
1. Remove all infringing content and notify me
in writing that you have done so;OR
2. Pay a licensing fee in the amount of $10,000usd;
Which will hopefully light a fire under their asses. Do I expect a payment of $10,000? No, not really, I just want to make sure my message is loud and clear and gets the attention of everyone involved.
May 21st, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Good way to light a fire dude. Now if they do cut you a cheque for $10,000 USD that be sweet.
May 21st, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Well this is what happens when you use a site template Dorn… hahaha lol, j/k man … how do you keep finding these rip offs??? these guys prob take the site and think to themselves “this dude will never stumble on my site, I’m safe” yet somehow… somehow you manage to bump into them everywhere you go… I’m gonna steal your site and make it into some form of brutally vulgar porn site… then when you contact me about said theft, I can say “why were you crusing around sites like that Jason!?!? …
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 am
@Bruce: “how do you keep finding these rip offs???”
Try reading the article again and linger a bit longer this time upon the bit that says, “I discovered this particular gem because they hadn’t even bothered to remove my google analytics tracking code, so they kept showing up right in my own traffic reports.”
I hope this helps you to find the information you seemingly are so desperate to acquire, as indicated by not one but three question marks.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:20 am
Why are you upset over this? Obviously some company in India is never going to hire you. Consider it flattery. Let them copy. Then use it as a pr tool in your local town. It will make you an expert. People will say wow he is so good that they are stealing his work.
It is a nice CSS layout. Very Nice.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:26 am
I’m upset because chances are some one made money here off my work. When it’s a small designer just trying to get a “cool site” I’m willing to simply have them remove it with a polite email, because at the end of the day there’s no real harm done.
But for some one to make money off my hard work? That crosses a line for me.
May 22nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Lame, but flattering.
May 22nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
who cares if they used your design. you shouldn’t be so uptight about stuff like this and accept a complement that your work is nice.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
@letseatlunch
Well I guess I would disagree that I should loosen up over people profiting off the work I’ve done. I don’t consider being exploited in this manner to be a “compliment”
May 28th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Hey there – I’m confused…
In the first example, the only thing I see replicated is the layout itself. So are you telling me that no other website can have a header, three boxes on top and eight below in the same fashion? It seems the designer liked the layout of your site and copied the layout, but I don’t think that he’s stolen an original idea…??
Am I wrong? Please explain.
May 28th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Rob,
The problem here is the designer didn’t just “like” my site and use a similar layout. He copied my source code (line for line, graphic for graphic, css, javascript and all) and just replaced the graphics. My google Analytics code was in still in place! So hits to their site were registering in my stats!
I agree there is a fine line between inspiration and plagiarism, but I’d say copying source code and overlaying new graphics is pretty far across that line.
May 30th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Whoa… this site is pretty awesome
your layout is really well designed, and your blogs are (judging from what i’ve read) very interesting. heehee… consider yourself favorited. 