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What is Next? If you feel your copyright has, in fact, been violated there are a number of steps that you can take. Contacting third party service providers is a good starting point. Make a list of
providers with whom you can contact to report violations.
1. Hosting 2. Online Ordering 3. If Software, Download Sites 4. Associations or Organizations
Aside from service providers, consider using existing relationships with parties who have a mutual interest or relationship with other party. Often, knowing key people can result in a rapid response and increased dialogue with purported offender.
Send simultaneous emails to each of parties identified. Include details of violation; using a PDF that displays screen captures or copies of text violations with website pointers is helpful. In email, explain action you wish to occur. If you want web host to remove website, say so. Also, ask that they keep you apprised of situation.
In most cases you will receive responses from webhosts or registration services that require you to provide additional details so that infringement can be investigated. It may seem obvious to copyright holder, but web hosts typically have a contractual agreement with their clients and are legally obligated to research any infringements before removing hosting or registration services.
Send a Cease and Desist letter and an email detailing that a copyright has been violated, include a reasonable deadline by which offending copy or application should be removed. It is not necessary to provide offender details of violation, as it is likely they are already aware of offenses that have occurred. These actions will generally open a dialogue with offender. If offender ignores requests to remove material that infringes on your copyright, pursue action with third party services. This will likely get offender's attention.
Artists, developers, and writers all work hard to create unique material and copyrights should be respected by all.
About the Author: Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for NotePage http://www.notepage.net a wireless text messaging software company.
