Its pretty pathetic when you actually have to put a disclaimer on your website stating that it is not plagiarized and that you DID actually write all the text yourself.    

Apparently my recent problems with the plagiarism of my website may stem from a provider's website that plagairized the page, word for word, some time ago.  This provider has also been passing the text off to at least one of her friends for her website as well.  I have not yet gotten a response from this person, so I can not say if it was her or if someone else built her site and she believed it was original copy written for her.

Is it just me?  I find this very offensive.  As a provider I view my website as marketing - a representation of the product I have to offer - myself.  I believe that hobbyists who are looking for companionship (not just sex) read through our websites to get a feel for our personality and part of their decision of who to spend their time (and money) with is based on this.  (I actually had a client recently who chose to see me over another well known, well reviewed provider because some of the wording on her website turned him off and so he did not think she would be someone he would enjoy meeting.)  For this reason I put a lot of time and effort into my site and the text within it.  When another person copies and pastes it on their website as a representation of themselves it does make me quite angry.  I realize it is just an etiquette page and most providers have similar rules or requirements in this area, but each woman writes them in their words, with their own personality showing through.  

So am I being too sensitive?  Is it naive of me to believe what I put on my website should not be copied and used by anyone else without permission?  Or am I just taking this all far to seriously?


**edited for grammar**


-- Modified on 6/9/2007 8:01:28 AM

No you are not being too sensitive and have every right to feel the way you do.  As you know, it happened to me as well.  One thing I did to curtail it a bit on my new site was to make it so it could not be right click copied.  Sorry don't know the technical term but now maybe since they can't cut and paste easily, they will move on.  Who knows but unfortunately there will always be someone out there trying to get something for nothing and let others do the work for them.  Alas that is just a fact of life!

I do have it set up so they can not right click.  But my next site will definitely be flash, so if they want to copy the text at least they will have to type it out themselves - no highlight and copy.    I know it is an endless battle, but it just drives me nuts.  Not quite nuts enough to pay a lawyer to deal with it, but nuts just the same.  LOL

BTW, your new pics are beautiful!  As is the new site...

-- Modified on 6/9/2007 9:46:06 AM

it is a great piece of work, and probably one better than something I could come up with in a similar situtation. Consider it a template as to how such a page should go, and then you'll understand why so many people want it on their site. Remember, you've written in essence a policies and procedures manual for how you operate your business, and it's a perfect one, IMHO.

Oh yeah, without a doubt, how a provider expresses herself on her site goes a long way to either getting appointments, or losing them. I think we've all seen sites that are truly impressive ( a recent one, for example, Clarke Costa from SD, or our own Tasha from LV), and ones which, well, sell themselves the other way.

So, maybe some perspective is in order here. Look at it this way, I need some technical writing done, I know who to call .

The way I see it, guys who are looking for a sensual/exciting/erotic experience will take the time to read through your site.  They will appreciate your elegant text and it will attract them.  Your writings are valuable and will attract valuable clients.

Guys who are only looking for a hole to stick something in are a dime a dozen.  The kind that only look at your picture then call your number to ask what your rates are.  They'll probably only get 1 possible 2 hours and you'll probably only see them once.

Maybe the person who stole your text is trying to be something that she is not.

No, my dear, you are not being too sensitive. It's hard when something that you've spent time agonizing over is stolen by someone *snap* just like that. As someone who produces words (as an avocation right now, not a vocation) having someone take those words and pass them off as their own is very difficult - especially when you then have to prove that they're your words in the first place.

Feeling upset is a legitimate reaction to this act. Just because something is on the internet does not make it fair use, although I think case law is still bearing this out somewhat.

Yay, technology.

I am one of those clients who pores over a website for a while before I decide whether or not I am going to meet with someone new. Because we only have words and pictures for that initial meeting (and even the pictures don't always tell the whole story), making a decision is based solely on what the eye can see.

Kudos to you for making the effort in the content of your site; I will say that I think it is quite well done. Do whatever you can to protect your work and keep the wolves from your door.