So Geyer took down the site last night and responded to both myself and my programmer, pleading innocence – that they were using my graphics to “learn.” However, as you’ll see, they didn’t even mention the content, which they definitely weren’t using to “learn.”
The email to my programmer:
Actually, I didn’t steal the coding at all, I did that all in CSS myself, as you can tell if you look at the source coding. However, I did ‘borrow’ (sounds better than stealing? Heh) the images – Don’t worry, I took it down already and sent Sarah an e-mail as well.I kept wondering how someone could link my site to yours, but I think I left CCG somewhere in the text of mine I believe… whoops!I wanted to get something up fast, and needed a quick design, so I borrowed one I thought looked good for the time being. I was going to re-do my site after I got everything up, just now I’ll be doing it a little sooner, heh.Ttytt, I was more suprised someone linked our sites together, than receiving an e-mail from you or Sarah!
It is true, I looked at their source code after sending them the C&D and they had rebuilt the site using DreamWeaver. There was tons of useless comments and a couple of “MM_” classes that I know oh so well from the days when I used to use it. Maybe it’s just the inability to hear tone in an email, but it does sound like he’s being a little snippy about it, don’t you think?
Aaaand the email to me:
Wow! I’m actually amazed that someone found my site, let alone could put 2 and 2 together and link it with your site… well, I’m more impressed that someone found my site, lol.
I took it down, and actually, I didn’t steal your coding at all, I developed the CSS based around the images of your site… all of the coding was done by myself, albeit the javascript of the slideshow that you also used from dynamicdrive.com
I really just used the images, it’s a beautiful site! I’m pretty new to developing and designing, so I wanted to get a ‘head start’ by just using a design already made, and seeing how long it took to create something from that template.
I do apologize for using your designs!
That’s right, focus on the positive (I didn’t steal your coding at all). Notice that nowhere did he mention the content, which was probably the worst offense.
I sent him back this:
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.
I suggest that next time you would like to learn with another design, you should use a design from a Free Template provider (make sure the terms of use allow commercial use). For example, you can go to http://www.freewebsitetemplates.com/ and find something.
If you would like to try to put together someone else’s copyrighted design as a learning experience, it is usually okay as long as you do not publish it.
Also, content is copyrighted as well. Make sure you are using original content on your site. Additionally, using someone else’s content is bad for Google because you can easily get yourself blacklisted by doing so. You can also be removed from your host for using someone else’s content / design.
Good luck in your endeavors!
Maybe I’m too nice, but even though I’m sure this wasn’t a completely innocent act (it was so blatant and shameless), I do like to help people see the error in their ways and steer them towards a better path.
