This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Googling Self

The Internet is a wonderful place full of information and opportunity.  It is also a place filled with copyright infringements and outright theft of intellectual property.  I Google my name in quote marks every month or so to see who mentioning me or who is using my copyrighted material without permission.  It happens more than you think.
 
Two weeks ago, when Googling my name, I found a huge corporate real estate investment firm's site had on their web site an article I wrote about five years ago on quirky and silly laws that affect homeowners.  They credited me as the author!!  The article was evidently lifted  from the magazine in which it appeared.  I sent them a sharply worded email about copyrights and how they had infringed, etc.  I asked they remove my article immediately from their web site, and/or pay me $150 fee for one-time electronic use, with a limit of 60 days of exposure.  I also mentioned my attorney would be contacting them.
 
Within three days, my article was pulled from the site, and today I received a check for $150 from the corporation.
 
So.....Google yourself regularly.
Doreen Howard
_______________________________________________
gardenwriters mailing list
gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org
http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/gardenwriters

GWL has searchable archives at:
http://www.hort.net/lists/gardenwriters

Send photos for GWL to gwlphotos@hort.net to be posted
at: http://www.hort.net/lists/gwlphotos

Post gardening questions/threads to
"Gardenwriters on Gardening" <gwl-g@lists.ibiblio.org>

For GWL website and Wiki, go to
http://www.ibiblio.org/gardenwriters
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index