The link to his public apology doesn't work.  I guess it was taken down by the offending party?  I would be interested to see who this was.  And I agree that he shouldn't be allowed to continue on AR.

The link is gone for those who want to know who would do this. 

That is horrible!!!!!!

He should be forced to delete the copied blogs from all the sites he posts on.

Now, I'm going to have to start researching copyrighting my blogs!!

I posted the URL for the link that doesn't seem to work.  Again it is:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/303263/Public-Apology

I suppose unless A/R kicks him off the island.

His attorney probably advised him against posting an apology - i.e. public acknowledgement that he took content that belongs to others without asking permission.

I'm so sick of this cr*p.

Hi, James.   Seems like his site uses RSS feeds to generate much of what is there.  After all the work to create the site why wouldn't he be proud enough of it to author some original content ?    Go figure !

Hi James,

The URL you added bring this up: This blog post can not be viewed. The most likely cause is the post is "members only" and you are either not a member or not logged into ActiveRain.

I am a member and I am logged in.

Nope is apology was in fact removed from his blog.

He did remove my content - but only after 2 emails.  (And neither of my "requests" included a please and thank you).

WOW.. I can't believe it.... I guess he can't think for himself so he copies anything and makes it appears like he's brains behind it..... I'm not sure if we could do anything to prevent this from happening in the rain, but i guess that  we have to copyright our post.... to safe guard ourselves

James.  You knew you'd get my attention with the word "copyright" in the title. 

I looked at that site ireference.org and it looks to be a site put up for Google AdSense revenue.  Using content without permission is illegal.  However, his pages appear to be heavily linked to other pages.  There's no law against that.  Also, he's using snippets on the opening page, which is also permissible, but then links to what appear to be the full article.  There is a link at the bottom of the pages to link to the original, but that doesn't wash with copyright law.  There is an exclusion in the law for snippets but not for using content, entire articles, even with a link.  The link doesn't give anyone the right to use your content.  He certainly doesn't have permission.  Anyone whowould give permission for him to use their content has got to understand that it's duplicate content.  They would only do it for the back link and his site isn't ranked sufficiently to be a high value link. 

These sites have no value to anyone except the Google click-through revenue generated.  Google is responsible for this problem by not screening the sites they accept for posting Google AdSense ads.  He's not selling a service or product.  Just content for AdSense.  These sites just pollute the Internet. 

This site, as a real estate site has no value to the consumer, no value to agents, no value to any entity except the owner who is collecting money from Google for traffic.  As a blog with high volume content feeds, it would generate a lot of traffic.  That's where the value lies, but only to the site owner. 

Bottom line is, there's no "there" there.

I went and looked at his AR blog and it seems he has subscribed to many others blogs, maybe those that he has subscribed to should block his subscriptions... I know at first glance, I was very upset to think that he is basically stealing others ideas, which is wrong... period!  But then I look at myself, not that I have been pirating others articles, because I haven't, but rather than be upset, I decided to pray for him, because I'm not perfect, and Jesus has forgiven me!  I heard a sermon not so long ago, where I'm supposed to act Christ like everyday of the week!  Don't forget what he has done, but simply forgive it, be aware of it, and move forward... Just my thought on the matter!

Thanks for the heads up though! 

Lenn- Thanks for comment.  There is no "there" between his ears either.

Rick - Pray he has a good attorney as well.  If this is how he does business - he will need it!

James - what a jerk! I agree that he should be blocked from ActiveRain!!! We don't need people like that in here!!! I am SO SICK of garbage like this!!!

Thanks Barbara Jo -  It was a bit frustrating for sure.  I guess you never know how low people will go!

Wow what a creep.  That stinks - he should get sued for doing junk like that to people.

James:

I know many might not agree but I totally admire what you just did!  GOOD FOR YOU! 

You spend your time.  You put your experiences into your writing.  Then some jack @ss comes alongs and steals it!

BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!