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Imitation is the finest form of flattery?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by YachtForums, Apr 1, 2010.

  1. YachtForums, Apr 1, 2010
    #1
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    A few months ago, I had our law firm send a certified letter to a website that was blatantly copying our reviews and posting them as their own. They subsequently removed our reviews.

    I was recently notified their forum index page contains forum descriptions that were directly lifted from YF's index page, i.e., their General Yachting Discussion heading is sub-titled "Talking Big Boats With Diesel Engines" and their Technical Discussion Forum is titled "Engines, Electronics and things that Break" among other subjects that are a direct copy of my own verbiage.

    It's not the first time, nor will it be the last, that someone makes a pathetic attempt at duping YF. No doubt imitation is the finest form of flattery; it's still intellectual theft. It is larceny.

    Because I don't want to provide a link that crawlers will index, I'll list the site as follows....

    ScumSite

    And the reason I'm bringing this to your attention? Because everyone that posts to YF is making a difference. An impact. And others are taking notice. Congrats to everyone who has made YF a website that others wish to "emulate".
  2. PropBet, Apr 1, 2010
    #2
    PropBet

    PropBet Senior Member

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    Said "Scum Site" is just bursting at the seams with activity too!

    As we all reaffirmed in the 20,000th member thread, you're doing all the right things, and yes, once in a while, you need to chase away an ankle biter or two and swat a few flies.

    Take it as a backhanded compliment. Plagiarism (obviously highly frowned upon) is indeed the greatest form of flattery.
  3. BMS, Apr 1, 2010
    #3
    BMS

    BMS Senior Member

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    Imitated but not duplicated
  4. CaptTom, Apr 1, 2010
    #4
    CaptTom

    CaptTom Senior Member

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    They have a lllooonnnggg way to go to get to 20,000 members (they're only at 785). And most of their latest activity is from 2009. Nothing to fear there, Capt Carl.
  5. K1W1, Apr 2, 2010
    #5
    K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I don't think YF has much to worry about from those guys from what I can see on their website.
  6. NYCAP123, Apr 2, 2010
    #6
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That site has a 'familiar feel'. Other than that I see little similarity, but you said the direct copying has been removed. Competition is a wonderful thing, but at 785 members, and the quality of the few posts I read, the competition is light weight. My time is too valuable to waste surfing 2nd string sites. I'll stick with the best...YF. At least your lawyers got some billable hours. Maybe they can buy bigger boats now. If they need advice on their choice I know where they can get some (YF).:rolleyes: :D
  7. YachtForums, Apr 2, 2010
    #7
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    When I first saw the site several months ago, they had about the same number of members. Since they removed our reviews, they haven't had any new activity. The site's name was familiar, so I checked YF's database and sure enough, it's one of the extensions I banned for spamming YF.
  8. Fishtigua, Apr 2, 2010
    #8
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    Carl,

    Didn't 'Boat International' magazine used to do a yearly suppliment of the same name as that site?

    Fish
  9. YachtForums, Apr 2, 2010
    #9
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    That might be why it sounded familiar. This scumsite guy is an equal opportunity opportunist.