I've just noticed that a local guy has copied my ENTIRE webbsite and made his own new site. Anyone got the latest on IP laws? Have they moved out of the dark ages yet? I can guarantee that our new site will be better protected. Is there anything I can do in the meantime that doesn't involve pain & blood (on their side...not mine:) Many thanks for any advice.

Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com

you could mail them a virus by email?
(sorry, couldn't resist - this is the panel for health care issues
I don't think that you can do anything about it. If I were you I would go on and create an even better website.... with some hidden viruses

You mean this one: http://www.shanghainicehome.com/company.html ?

It's cute that their little javascript rotational ad thingy on the home page doesn't seem to work (at least not on my browser). Plus a couple of the menus are tantalisingly impossible to click.

Why don't you give "Our one of the partner Ms. Yvonne Zhang" a call? Go over and see her and ask face to face for an explanation.

Could be a fun discussion at least watching her squirm for a bit.

I also like that their homepage caries a notice saying "Copyright 2005 NEW CENTURY AGENCY All Rights Reserved" - whereas there isn't a copyright notice that I can find on your site.

Perhaps that's what led them to believe your site was "open source" and could be pillaged with impunity.

Angie.....liked your advice! We are making a new site so I guess it doesn't matter that much. Just amazed that they promoted their site on Shanghai Expat. I got a rather big surprise when I had a squizze at a new real estate site and found it was mine!

OH MY GOD Bluebag!!! I have just opened the link you sent!!!! This is ANOTHER ONE! The site I was talking about was "liveinshanghai". Ironically their email address says "lawyerwang". Obviously NOT an IP lawyer!

How hysterical! I wonder how many more there are. I will be making appointments to visit these people this week. I can't wait to meet them. I think I will be getting close to drawing blood (even though I am a lady). Or maybe I should send 'em a virus.........hmmm. Let me think on that.

Our new site is being done by a pro and will have all the copyright notices and protections. I did my current one year's ago and it needs a complete over haul. Don't some say that "copying is a form of flattery". Boy, they could have copied a hell of a lot of better sites than mine!!!

Anyway, thanks guys for your vigilence and advice.

Cheers,
Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com
(all rights reserved)