A site in Brazil reproduced my entire article without permission

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   Katie Sheridanposted 13 years ago

   I just discovered my recently published article was copied, translated, and published on a site in Brazil. They credit me as the author and give the link to the original work. I requested they take down the piece and just post a short quote with the link. The owner of the site contacted me saying many of her readers don't understand English so she posts articles with translation. I answered her that that is not sufficient reason to basically steal my work and re-publish it elsewhere (where of course she gets the ad revenue). I asked her to post just a short quote with a link to my original work as well as a link to Google Translator. I noted that just to the right of my article is my contact link, which she didn't even bother to click on and contact me to ask permission.
   
   Is she violating international copyright law? If she refuses to honor my request, what course of action is open to me?
   
   Second, does HubPages have an option for international readers to view the work in another language? That sure would solve problems like these.
   
   Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
   
   Katie Sheridan

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      prettydarkhorseposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      http://hubpages.com/search/include:forums+copied+hubs

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   Website Examinerposted 13 years ago

   Your work is automatically protected under the Berne Convention, and any unauthorized translation is a violation of international copyright law. Enforcement is difficult. If the website has Adsense, filing a complaint with Google may be an option. HubPages does not offer any translation capabilities.
   
   Since the site owner is responding, keeping the dialog open but adding more pressure may be worthwile trying. This could include a formal cease and desist notice, in which you tell them to remove the offending material and reserve the right to take legal action.

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   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   Serious question:
   
   I’ve occasionally noticed that when I run across a foreign language website, google automatically provides a translation link.
   
   First, is my memory correct on that?
   
   Second, does anyone know firsthand that the google versions in other countries automatically provide an English translation link when applicable?

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      Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      To the best of my knowledge, this feature is available where webmasters have expressly requested (enabled) it. In which event the translation links would be provided. So that is not quite automatic.

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   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   Google Chrome offers to translate foreign websites in huge letter across the top of the web page.
   Other than that, when you are in a foreign country using their local google search engine, the 'translate this page' option is always to the right of the article in search. That option is always there in google no matter what country you are in.

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      paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent! Thanks! That was what I had more or less assumed, but we all know what can happen with "ass.u.me". Thanks for the confirmation. One less thing for me to worry about.

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   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   OOPS! Rephrase:
   
   I mean does google provide a translation link of my English article into the language of the host country?

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   ocbillposted 13 years ago

   Hi Kate,
   
   This has been gone by major SEO guys and webmasters and it is not duplicate content. In fact, since I know that language pretty well form unfortunate circumstances, it can never be translated word for word. The person had to have edited it to some extent.
   
   http://www.google.com/search?q=duplicat … =firefox-a
   
   What's worse, is that country does not follow many international laws. NJ child custody case, the recent US Air Marshals arrested there for arresting a Brazilian on a flight there. They follow there own laws and interpretations. But it is good to ask them in a nice way as you did.

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      Sufidreamerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Duplicate content is not the same thing as copyright - a translation into another language is an infringement, as only the copyright holder can authorise a translation. For example, if somebody tried to translate my work into Greek, without permission, I can still pursue them through the courts.
      
      Of course, as you pointed out, following it across international boundaries can be a whole different ballgame!

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         Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I agree. But most copyright enforcement on the Internet, including DMCA, works more through pressure than actual legal action. Contacting the hosting provider may work; who knows, they may have some international business interests that make them motivated to cooperate.

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   Katie Sheridanposted 13 years ago

   Thanks so much for your informative answers.
   
   I just found this about Google Translate. Go to the site
   
   translate.google.com/
   
   and choose the languages you need to translate from and to. Then just copy the URL of the page you want translated and paste in into the Google translator and voila! you get the page in the language you want, exactly as it appears on its original page. I tried it and it worked! So I will pass this info on to the site owner (I will make sure it's first translated into Portuguese).

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   Aiden Robertsposted 13 years ago

   Sort of on topic
   
   How do you find out if your work has been copied and published elsewhere, software or random search on Google.
   
   I wouldn't know where to start, any advice welcome.

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      Website Examinerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      - Copyscape (online service, free or paid);
      - Similar services, including one just started here on HubPages by Edweirdo;
      - Google Alerts (free);
      - Random Google searches (although not very practical).

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