How true. I spend a fair amount of time trying to make sure I have not only relevant information or stories to relate, but facts. At least they should have given you a by line!

I guess I don't write well enough to have any one steal my work.  Maybe you should give him a call or at least an email?

I think that I would say somthing to him about it, not that anyone would use my post--Bart

Lynn, I hope you'll take action so that this agent takes down your blog.  No one has the right to steal our work product.

So true, especially someone in your own neck of the woods, that is shameful.

Ken, you're right. We spend time on our posts as we believe the efforts that we put forth are important. Sure, I have no problem if the use a post, just acknowledge where it came from

John, I'm sure you have a plenty a post that is "stealable".  I did send him an email ..... let's see how he responds or perhaps he'll just hide with his tail between his leg.

Bart, you're too modest too. I'm sure you have copy and pasteable posts too. And yes, I have sent him an email to remove my post or let his readers know who wrote it.

Brian, I know it really annoyed me when I came across it.  He's on AR and I've seen him steal other's work too.  He'll never change and his stealing is getting him to the top of seach engines.

Lynn:  Sadly this probably won't be the first time someone takes the low road and plagarizes you.  I have had it happen with listing photos, and it never ceases to make me angry. 

Kim, I know that's the part that really amazed me: he's a local agent here in Coral Springs.  I wouldn't even for one minute consider such a stunt.  Talk about having nerve!

I have heard that imitation is the best form of flattery, but I totally agree with you.  I don't think I have been blog-jacked yet, but if I am, I would be outraged too!  Keep up the great work...whether it is stolen or not!

Chris, you're right and it does make me so angry. I hope little ole me never runs into him on the street! LOL

Jonathan, blog-jacked....that's a good one. I just hate that my post participates in his ability to get noticed on the search engines with everybody elses work. The worst part are the customers that he is probably real good at bluffing.

Set up google alerts to watch for certain keywords.   When you see your information send the blog thief a note with a timeframe to remove the post or give appropriate credit.  Usually when they realize that you are on to them they will stop.  Read everything that Lenn Harley has written on plagarism and copyright violation if you need any more ammunition.

 Hi Lynn, I've seen a few posts like this recently. Seriously I think someone should start a group to out the cheaters, spammers, copy & pasters, etc... If they want attention so badly, let's give it to them.

I had that happen and called the individual and they removed the post and apologized.  I didn't make much a big deal of it as they kept apologizing purfusely.

I try not to get too worked us as I feel I know human nature and often expext people to live up to the lowest standard that will entitle them to receive the largest benefit.

Punch him in the nose;)

Lynn- It's disheartening to hear that this agent stole your post, but also that he has a pattern of doing this on AR as well.  There should be some sort of punishment for repeat offenders.  I believe a good many might make "honest" mistakes, but a repeat offender knows exactly what s/he is doing.  Does AR have a policy for dealing with repeat offenders?  Since s/he does this to reap the rewards of others hard work, s/he won't stop unless there's an actual risk or downside when they are caught.  What a shame.

The lack of integrity in people sometimes disgusts me How do they live with themselves

Lynn: This is really too bad. But, Please! Don't lose your edge because of someone who must live on the dark side. Keep your focus on the light - your family, friends, trustworthy colleagues and clients, and especially God. The blog-jacker will get what's coming sooner or later, but don't let him STEAL YOUR HEART TOO!

Love, -Pete 

Ouch, Lynn -- plainly insulting.  To quote an expert on it: "I really don't get it.  Where are people's morals? Will they do anything to try and get ahead? Who are they fooling?"  Certainly not God.  May He bless you and deal with it His way: to take away this irritation and turn it into a compliment...because it really is just that.

Lynn,

It's very sad that AR members do this to others here. This type of plagiarism is unfortunately going on quite a bit. But you said it, think about the customers who get represented by him.

I agree, I have had people steal my blog and I must admit I have 'borrowed' others blogs.... but NEVER word for word.... I use bits and peices of others blogs, and get ideas for my blogs.... I dont do it ever on AR, now that... is a NO NO!

Does anyone know what the actual copyright rules are here on active rain?

lol, I would be honored.. But my writing skills are terrible, lol!

Lynn, I just copied and paste one of your articles onto my blog last week. I did not realized that permission must be granted to do that. Oh well, I guess you have to search my blog to see which article it was because I don't quite remember.

Alright, I'm just kidding. Have a nice evening!

Hope you get the guy to deal with it. But karma has a way of taking care of things like this.

Some people assume (very wrongly) that anything found on the internet is free for the taking. The first time this happens I would send a stern yet friendly warning. Second time, legal action and damages.

there is a saying, the way you do anything i sthe way you do everything

www.Brettnoel.com

Success Coach

It's important to give credit where credits due.  At the very least you're due credit!  So tell him to give you some or remove YOUR blog! 

Hi Lynn, I am just curious if he responded yet?  Be sure to let us know.  Realtors are all suppose to live by a code of ethics, but what about just living a life that way you are suppose to (Golden Rule, 10 Commandments, play fair, share, etc....).  What he did just flys in the face of all of that.  I couldn't sleep at night if I did something similar.  I just don't get people sometimes.

I guess some people think stealing some one elses work is easier than creating their own. What they don't know is that sooner or later they will get caught. Did he take your blog down from his site?

I think the plagarism thing comes with the territory...I guess you could copyright each entry but that would become a beating!@!! 

LYNN - This just happened to me as well.  Someone new to Active Rain put out their 2nd blog, which was a copy and paste of one of my most recent blog, at least parts of it.  I called the agent and told him to take it down immediately.  He said that he was new to blogging and that his assistant was the one that did it.  I told him that he should tell his assistant that copying is stealing NOT blogging!  What his assistant failed to realize is the links to the market reports that she stole actually were just links to my posts.  It is very frustrating to have to deal with this, so I know how you feel.

I hate when this happens. I do hope you keep after that guy..make him remove it or give you credit. Taking legal action is always an option.

ARGH!  I feel your frustration!  Make sure you copyscape your blog regularly (what else has this person stolen and put your info?)

Lynn,

I'm in your area and as you can see am very active here. I would love to see if I konw who it is...I might be able to help you get rid of people who steal. Send me an emai lif you need help.

Check the silverware sounds like a home invasion, has taken place lock your window and intellectual property as well

Lynn, I had the exact same thing happen to me.  However, the person did give me credit for the article.  It is just weird to find your work online and wonder how many more times it has happened?

Love it that you have the Weston Police helping you (re Neal's comment)!  None of us are immune.  Have a great day.

Taking the easy way out...that is the way some choose to be creative.  I would call'em on it!

Lynn - check out Lenn Harley's blogs on copyright.  You do have grounds for legal action and since this is a direct competitor, you should strongly consider taking them.

The intentional theft of intellectual property for one's own gain is unethical at best, and criminal at worst.

That said, the first think I think you should do is send the offending agent a link to this post, and ask him to read it carefully, and note that it is featured on a network of over 87,000 professionals.  If he does not comply with your request for a byline, with an active link to your original post, or if he does not remove the post from his site, then you should contact his broker of record, and have them put the pressure on the agent to comply with copyright laws.  If you get no resolution, then contact your local board's ethics committee, and file a formal grievance.  Don't be affraid of doing that.  You have a bona fides grievance, and the other agent is clearly indefensible.

By the way, I want to say that you handled this post well.  It points to your professionalism that you did not put links to the offending post.  That would have seemed like a "smear tactic" and that is clearly not your intention.

I think I know how you feel.  I stood at the office window and watched an associate ding my wife's new 350z's door with her door.  When she came in the office she denied it.  I just had to forgive her.

Lynn:

There is a very similar conversation going on over on this thread. It's quite sad that people can stoop o low an yet have such little conscience about it. Here is the advice that I shared with Diane about steps that can be taken - good luck and keep us posted!

Lidia Griffin
Majenic Virtual Solutions

How frustrating for you, Lynn.  Hopefully he'll get the hint and take that post down.  Unfortunately, once people like that get away with it once or twice, they get it in their heads that they can do it whenever they want and get away with it.  Stealing is stealing, no matter what the product may be.  I've had an entire website plagiarized so I know how it feels.  Just send him a short, sweet note that says "Put up your dukes, buddy-boy.  You're going down!"

~Renae

It isn't my posts that I've had so much trouble with.  (Although a out-of-country travel site did steal all of my community description from my website.)  My real problem is with the stealing of photos I have on the web.  I've had to call the chamber of commerce, real estate agents, lawyers, and even the federal goverment to ask them to remove them.  They all say they got them from the royalty free site, let me see, what is it called...oh yeah, Google.

Unfortunately, this seems to be far more common than I would have ever realized.  I have had this happen a few times myself. 

There is so much to write about...why take someone elses stuff?

It has become a lazy world, indeed. I would definitely let him know that you know. Maybe that'll be enough for him to pull it.

Wow what happened to honesty and pride, it takes someone really low to steal someones work.  I guess we now know where the kids pick it up, they have lots of role models!  Ask him about it and or send him a coy of your blog with the date on it!

Isn't that copy right infringement. I actually would go talk to who ever it was face to face and call him on it.

Ok - I kept gettin blown out of the Rain today, but I finally got back here.  This is the AR position on copyright infringement.  As Rich suggest in the title, it is a good article to bookmark and refer back to every once in awhile.

Finally, I can't resist recounting my experience today.  I logged on, clicked on a post that was a direct copy of an article written by someone else and got blown out.  I logged back on, read this post and got blown out again.  After a few more failed attempts, I managed to post a comment above.  Imagine my surprise when I sat down this evening, read through the comments here, and saw the 'author' of the first post!!!

Cindy,  I need to go and read the post from Lenn as many have referenced it and ammunition is good- thanks.

Marti, that's a good idea. Yet, these types would probably not even feel embarrased or shamed they'd probably just laugh all the way to the next theft.

Find a Notary, I'm all in to believing that people can make honest mistakes and I would be the first to accept their apologies. Yet, this guy is a blatant thief and no sympathy here. He's just trying to get ahead by cheating. Cheaters don't rate real well.

Ashlar,  ha ha ha....If I was bigger and stronger maybe!

Thanks for all your comments

Matt, you're so right as there should be a punishment. Repeat offenders should be at least removed from this network. He's still here and is high in the city ranking which is only because of his habitual post copying. AR is too honarable of a network to have it tarnished, in my opinion.

Hugh, I'm with you as it really disgusts me. Where is ones integrity? Why do they do it? Chemical imbalance is all I can say. As anyone in their right might wouldn't do it. It's not even so much that they have stolen my post but the fact that in their eyes it's okay.

Pete, never would he steal my heart or my passion. I feel sorry for him and only wish that he'd come around to see that there are better ways. Because where he's going now will eventually bite him in the  B_ _ _.

Terry, so true. As my title indicated, I should be honored and leave it at that. What goes around comes around. I know that God leads the way and this gives me comfort.

Eski, we can only imagine how his customers are being represented. Basically it's a sad occurence in what one resorts to.

Ara, sure getting ideas is one thing but copying and pasting is another thing - anywhere!

Bo, I'm being told that Lenn Harley has a post on it and I need to check into it. I'm not sure it's enforced however.

Christopher, you'd probably be pleasantly surprised as somebody is probably copying you at this very moment! Don't be so hard on yourself as everybody has a good thing to say.

Jim, no problem use all you want as long as you don't mind me using your post as my own on To succeed in real estate.......become WATER....  Ha Ha Ha!

Wow, I am sorry that happened. That's horrible. I really don't think people see this as personal thoughts that should not be taken. 

Bob and Carolyn, yes, what goes around comes around

John, one day someone will bark up the wrong tree. I wouldn't pursue legal action yet I know plenty who would. Yes, I did send an email and he did not respond yet he removed the one post only to find out he stole another that I'm waiting on.

Brett, in a nutshell, you summed it up.

Kathy, exactly. It's very simple

Cindy, he did not respond to my email that I sent. Yet, he did delete it from his blog. However, in checking I found out that he stole another post, if you can believe that, and I told him to remove it yet I haven't check back yet.

Michael, yes, he's taken my post down yet I found he stole another one too and I"m waiting on that. You're right ... what one will do to advance ones self.

Nathan, isn't it awful that we have to cover ourselves in such a manner. Just write your own stuff and we're all happy. Or if you need some help...ask and be gracious.

Adam, it is frustrating as we work very hard in what we do and the most of us take great pride in the integrity that comes with what we do. To come across the likes of them, is disheartening.

Monika, I have sent him an email to remove and he's removed the one, only to find out he' has stole another. I wouldn't seek legal action - that's just not me.

Renee, what do you mean by copyscape? Is this a checkpoint? Funny, in following up with him , I've found that he has stolen another that I've asked him to remove also

Neal, to rid the thiefs would be wonderful. I will send you a note.

That is really crummy!  I expect that some of my competition may be doing the same thing

Lynn, yes ethics and morals are involved - so is orginality which is the hallmark of blogging - sharing your own personal thoughts and ideas unless you are passing along an article or concept that you duly cite.

Lynn, yes ethics and morals are involved - so is orginality which is the hallmark of blogging - sharing your own personal thoughts and ideas unless you are passing along an article or concept that you duly cite. (Sorry I didn't realize I had been logged out when I posted my comment.)

send him a message...tell him you've read the blogs and he must have read yours....ha.  Bet they will disappear. 

I've used copyscape to catch a few guilty web sites. But Google works effectively. Just copy and paste a sentence or two from your body text, put it in quotes and search.

My biggest headache comes from sites that steal my web site graphics. I use Photoshop to digitally watermark them, now. ImageReady has a service that tracks your images and notifies you if someone is stealing them.

So what did you do ? Just curious if you contacted him or let it stand. I use copyscape too, but in this case you found it on your own. Let us know ?

Alpine Lakes, I'd better check for my silverware you're right!

Audrey, I'm sure this won't be the last time. We'll never be rid of those lacking in character.

Susan, it's true nothing like the Weston police...that's what AR is all about! Fabulous support! I'm sure there are many who have been tapped by the thief. One just has to copy and paste their title into Google and see what pops up.

Gary, he's a lazy bum and wants to reap all the benefits. I did call him on it and told him to take it down or give me credit; he took it down, yet never responded to me - the woose

Erik, I will check on Lenns blog; sounds like it tells all.

Rich, thanks for your comments; I appreciate it. Wouldn't he think twice if he knew of all the comments generated here due to his lack of character. No, I take that back, he probably wouldn't blink an eye as he'll just go on to the next unexpecting individual.

Rick, oouch! She probably had guilt written all over her face.

Lidia, thanks for the info. I sent an email to the guy letting him know that he needs to remove my post or give me credit. He has since removed the post and in my checking I found another one posted that I need to go back and make sure that he has removed it too - just amazing! What's so amazing to me is that he did it and he's right here in the same town that we both service!

Renae, oh I like your words better: put up your dukes buddy you're going down! lol

Joe, whatever they can get their hands on - stealing photos too! Geeze, it's ridiculous

Jason, you're a good guy I know as I've read your posts ..... isn't it just hard to imagine what these people will do, what they'll resort to in order to try and get ahead of the next guy?!

Erik, I'm going to check out AR's position on copyright infringement and I'm sorry to hear of your troubles trying to get in with the back and forth.  Even the best of em can have troubles.

Christy, no, these types just think that the world revolves around them and could care less about the rest of us.

Nyles, sadly, I'm sure someone is.  Just try typing one of your blog post titles into google and see what pops up

Steve, many look at blogging, see the benefits and try to figure out a way in which they don't have to participate the ethical and honarable way, and take a short cut in hopes of getting ahead of the next guy. Sad.

Paula, yes, it was something...I sent him an email saying that I was reading his blog and as I read on I was coming across very familiar words - my words yet, I didn't see that he had given me credit and asked him to remove it. He did.

Jim, I'm not familiar with copyscape but will employ the copy and paste more frequently. I'm going to have to check on that ImageReady too. People will resort to whatever is in their interest, won't they?!

Missy, I was so ticked off when I came across it.  Then I promptly sent him an email letting him know that I came across his blog and saw one of my posts on his blog with no mention of me being the author.  I asked him to give me credit or remove it.  I checked on the blog later and saw that he removed it but in checking I found that he stole another post and emailed him again to get it removed. I haven't had a chance to look back for the 2nd post yet. What's amazing though is that he couldn't respond to me via email...not a word.  He didn't even try to weasel his way out of it or apologize or nothing. This tells me even further that he is scum.

I beleive Brett Noel said it best in above post. Good luck in the future with this, I've learned something blogging. Thanks.

Michael, Brett did hit the nail on the head as you can't change a leopard's spots can you?

Lynn - I can't believe he didn't even acknowledge his misdeed.  I'm continuously surprised (but shouldn't be) by the laziness and dishonesty exhibited by so-called professionals.  It's too bad you had to be on the receiving end of his (lack of) work.

Lynn ~ This is Nick Goglucci, we have talked once before about selling in Broward and how you loved helping people who need your experise in short sales. Keep up the good work and don't worry about the bad energy of unethical agents.

Wow, I think that if this happened to me I would call them out on the carpet!

Nick, sure I know you and thanks for your kind words! No I don't let the negative energy bring me down. I only wish they could change their tune and come on over to the good side!

Rob, watch out for those rug burns! All kidding aside, it really can drive you crazy in dealing with people like this! Maybe one day they'll come around

Rob, watch out for those rug burns! All kidding aside, it really can drive you crazy in dealing with people like this! Maybe one day they'll come around

Lynn, yes that whats really puts the icing on the cake is that he didn't even acknowledge my email - spineless!

Lynn,

What a stinker!  You must confront but don't let the bad actions get you down. 

Jeanne, right...truly a stinker! Oh, no I'd never let him get to me down. His time will come as what goes around comes around.