Stolen articles - Apceo etc.

1. 84

   annartposted 2 years ago

   Why can't hubpages do something about our articles stolen by the likes of Apceo? It seems they take just about everything but HP does nothing!  HP will lose out too because authors will start removing their pieces.

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      Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much for starting this discussion, Ann. I'm hoping HP is reading this thread. I'm sick of HP's current situation; what's happening here because of Acpeo is a huge loss for HP and its authors. I'm hoping HP realizes this. The sooner they understand this, the better.
      
      Blessings to you!

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   2. 83

      bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Ann, Matt insists it's not HP's responsibility, but the writers' because we own the copyrights. However, I feel they should and can do something to disallow  the penetration of bots and human plagiarists alike, since the entire platform is being infiltrated. How about a firewall?

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      1. 82

         Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

         Matt stated in one forum post that they are working to resolve the issue.
         See this: https://hubpages.com/forum/post/4231519

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            bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

            Misbah, my interpretation of Matt's comment in that forum is that they are working on a fix to not mark OUR work as duplicate. He once again suggested you file a DMCA complaint. He did not say they are working on a fix for this global swipe that's happening on the HP format.

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            1. 82

               Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

               Yes, you are right, Matt suggested to file a DMCA complaint

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   3. STAFF

      Matt Wellsposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      HubPages cannot file a DMCA complaint on your behalf. It's your content so you will have to file the complaint. If the site that copied your content does not respond you can file a DMCA complaint with search engines. If the content is indexed it will be removed. Please visit the FAQ for instructions.
      
      We can't prevent people from copying your content. The best option for everyone is to file DMCA complaints. If you need help, contact team@hubpages.com.

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      1. 82

         Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you so much for your response, Matt. Many of us, including myself, have already filed DMCAs for numerous articles. We appreciate you always taking the time to respond to our queries, but believe me that the current situation is serious; every new article is being copied there, and this is not the story of a few HP writers, but the pain of all HP writers.
         
         Best Wishes!

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         1. 82

            hclpdposted 2 years agoin reply to this

            Yep. I concur. Almost all my articles, at least the popular ones, have been copied tonnes of times. I have given up on filing DMCAs now.

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      2. 67

         OldRosesposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         But why can't you lock down the site so that people can't come along and just copy and paste our work?  Other websites do it to prevent people's content from being stolen.  Why can't HubPages do the same thing?

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         1. 95

            AliciaCposted 2 years agoin reply to this

            My understanding is that the text isn't being copied and pasted. The data is being scraped by software, which is a different technique.

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            1. 67

               OldRosesposted 2 years agoin reply to this

               Most of my stolen articles are copied and pasted by individuals into their personal blogs.

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      3. 93

         jansharesposted 2 years agoin reply to this

         "The best option for everyone is to file DMCA complaints."
         
         With all due respect Matt, that's not the best option for everyone. Hubbers are tired and overwhelmed with filing complaints, most of which go nowhere. As some writers have stated in another forum, the option is to stop writing and publishing on HP. The larger consequence is losing writers and decreasing content on the site. I appreciate the work HP staff does but filing DMCAs is no longer practical, nor does it appear to address the larger issue: a savvy thief who is disrupting our HP community which threatens the life of the site.
         [Hope I'm not being too dramatic. ]

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         1. 82

            Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

            You're not being dramatic, Janis. Everything you've said is correct, and many of us feel the same way.
            
            Blessings and Love to you!!

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         2. 87

            Jodahposted 2 years agoin reply to this

            Not too dramatic in the slightest. They have been using the “author has to fill out the DMCA because they own the content” for the last 10 years. Things have changed dramatically, and this is not just the occasional article being copied. It is affecting the site as a whole, and every single item that some of us post. Just another reason for people to stop writing here.

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            1. 83

               bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

               Yep. Why can't a firewall be implemented? It's no longer individuals who are stealing content. We now have bots that are sweeping entire sites. I don't dare post anything new because that's what they seem to be after. HP as a whole is being infiltrated. Therefore, I think it's HP's responsibility to ensure bots can't get through.

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               1. 82

                  Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

                  There's a hubber who have some problems with this suggestion, Shauna. I am sending you the details in the DM.
                  Love and Blessings!!

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   4. STAFF

      Matt Wellsposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks to everyone filing DMCA complaints apceo has been taken down. Remember, you own the content so you have to file DMCA complaints. HubPages cannot file DMCA complaints on your behalf. I understand it's frustrating having your content copied, but if you want to take action, filing DMCA complaints is the best route.

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2. 87

   Jodahposted 2 years ago

   Here we go again.

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   1. 83

      bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      And around and around we go (chasing our tails)!

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      1. 82

         Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

         It's like the more we write, the more DMCAs we have to file.

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3. 84

   annartposted 2 years ago

   Thank you

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4. 84

   annartposted 2 years ago

   Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. It sounds pretty impossible to do anything about it but I will try the DMCA route.
   Frustrating!

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5. 84

   annartposted 2 years ago

   I am now withdrawing from HP precisely because of their inaction and lack of regard for their authors.  I'm not prepared for my work to be stolen, whether by people or 'bots' (though I'm not naive enough to think I'll never be plagiarised).  All my fiction (stories and poetry) is coming off and being used elsewhere, and I will not be writing any more articles for HP at all.  My non-fiction articles will stay, merely because they can still give me a little income.
   
   I am freelancing, targeting local magazines and the like, which also pay more, throwing all my energy into something I enjoy which will be far less likely to be stolen.
   
   I've enjoyed HP, I appreciate having had the opportunity to hone my skills, and to make fantastic friends.  Now I'm moving on, keeping in touch with my many HP friends, and enjoying life!
   
   Good luck to all of you!

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   1. 82

      Misbah786posted 2 years agoin reply to this

      This is sad, Ann. But I can understand the pain.  Best of luck and Blessings to you.
      
      Sending you lots of Love!

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   2. 83

      bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like a plan, Ann. We'll keep in touch, for sure.

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6. 96

   Rupert Taylorposted 2 years ago

   You'll be missed Ann. I understand your frustration and wish there was something that could be done to stop these thieving jerks. Best of luck with freelancing.

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7. 87

   Jodahposted 2 years ago

   I am sorry you are leaving HP Ann, but it is totally understandable. I hope you continue to write at The Creative Exiles so I can still enjoy your writing, and we can interact there. Good luck in your freelancing.

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8. 100

   Carb Divaposted 2 years ago

   I have over a dozen articles written and ready to publish. But I don't dare release them--they'll be snatched up in an instant. What a waste of time.

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      Author Albertposted 2 years agoin reply to this

      I wish you well and tell you never lose hope @ Carb

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9. 95

   ravirajan01posted 2 years ago

   Good luck with your freelancing. It is sad to see to go as I really enjoy your writing. Hope we can interact on some other site.

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10. 84

    annartposted 2 years ago

    I appreciate all of you wishing me well.  Thank you.
    I'll definitely be continuing on TCE, John.
    Linda, why not write on TCE too?  You won't have wasted your efforts, though I appreciate that you won't get the remuneration you deserve.  At least people can read  and comment though.
    It's all a bit sad and frustrating but I'm moving on and putting it all down to experience.  Will talk to many of you again soon.
    Take care and keep safe and well, all of you!
    Ann

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11. 98

    Peggy Wposted 2 years ago

    So sad to see you leave HubPages, Ann.  If you have other outlets where your work is less likely to be stolen, that is excellent.  Let's stay in touch.

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12. 89

    alexadryposted 2 years ago

    Carb Diva, I hear you! I just published an article and it was copied. Not super quick, there was a delay of two days. However, this gives me he opportunity to file a complaint with the hosting company, and the more complaints, the better. I am now thinking of publishing something really short and insignificant so that once it's copied, I can update it then later with content.

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    1. 87

       Jodahposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Alexadry, that sounds like a good plan Just publish a very basic article for the thieves and then add significant content to the original after a few days.

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13. 95

    eugbugposted 2 years ago

    There are software anti-scraping solutions for websites which deny scraping software the ability to quickly and easily download a whole site. I presume the reason this couldn't be implemented is lack of money and resources to do it. But of course there are techniques to bypass anti-scraping software, so would it be worth the effort?

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    1. 87

       Jodahposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       I thought there had to be such anti-scraping software, Eugene. I guess that is for HubPages/Maven/Arena to decide if they have the funds and resources to implement it though. We can only hope. It would prevent a lot of writers from leaving.

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14. 0

    Poetic Phantomposted 2 years ago

    Was thinking of posting some new poems
    But Now
    
    I think I must wait for some more time

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15. 84

    annartposted 2 years ago

    Will definitely stay in touch with my special friends here; you are too precious for me not to!

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16. 87

    Jodahposted 2 years ago

    Congratulations! We have succeeded. Apceo.com is no more.

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17. 80

    FatFreddysCatposted 2 years ago

    Ding dong, acpeo is DEAD.
    
    Goodbye, and good riddance to bad luck!
    
    

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    1. 83

       bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Great job guys and gals!

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    2. 92

       SerenityHaloposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Excellent news!

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18. 96

    Rupert Taylorposted 2 years ago

    Well done to all who worked to close down the scoundrel.

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       FatFreddysCatposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Let us sing the Victory Song and drink beer from his empty skull!

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19. 89

    vidsagsterposted 2 years ago

    That's good news, John. Hope we will not have to face such problems anymore.

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20. 98

    Peggy Wposted 2 years ago

    That is great news!  I just received a notice from Hostinger that they needed more information about the infringing content although I submitted a regular DMCA notice with everything already listed.  I guess I won't bother now responding back to them.  This is what I saw when I went to the acpeo website:
    
    "Secure Connection Failed
    
    An error occurred during a connection to acpeo.com. Peer reports it experienced an internal error.
    
    Error code: SSL_ERROR_INTERNAL_ERROR_ALERT
    
        The page you are trying to view cannot be shown because the authenticity of the received data could not be verified.
        Please contact the website owners to inform them of this problem.

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21. 93

    Kenna McHughposted 2 years ago

    Arrrrgh, their gone!
    
    "Nobody will believe it’s possible until we show them.” - Captain Flint, Black Sails

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22. 95

    Thelma Albertsposted 2 years ago

    I am glad that site is gone. I feel demotivated writing a new article as  I have some of them stolen. I am tired of complaining.

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23. 80

    FatFreddysCatposted 2 years ago

    Heads up, y'all!
    
    Just for gits and shiggles, I looked up our old pal acpeo dot com this afternoon and it looks like his "Gourmet Pro" site is back up again.
    
    The front page appears to be mostly food and home decor articles. I'm not sure where he may be borrowing them from, but the same half dozen or so pieces appear under all the various sub headings ("Salad," "Chicken," "Healthcare," etc.)
    
    Naturally, I checked around to see if he'd pinched any of my most recent articles and this time, at least, I seem to have been spared (whew).
    
    So be warned, we may be in for another round with this douche.

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24. 81

    Stephen Tomkinsonposted 2 years ago

    Only one advertiser - a Roumanian webpage designer that lists Hubspot amongst its fans. There doesn't seem to be an easy way to contact them. Should more advertisers appear, it might be worth letting them know that they are supporting such a site.

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25. 82

    Misbah786posted 2 years ago

    Oh, the thief is back in town....it appears that no one can limit his/her enthusiasm for robbery.

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26. 87

    Jodahposted 2 years ago

    He has been back awhile but as far as I can see has not stolen anything from HubPages yet.

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27. 85

    Gianella Labradorposted 2 years ago

    But ....the articles have source link again, I wonder if the source website is aware that their articles are being used and posted in acpeo and if they know about it or they have permitted them to do so. I know its not our concern anymore but i was just wondering.

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28. 87

    Jodahposted 2 years ago

    Yes, I wonder that too. Maybe he just moved his scraping elsewhere.

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29. 89

    alexadryposted 2 years ago

    Looks like he has targeted other websites now and getting articles from different places perhaps in hopes of staying under the radar.

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30. 100

    Carb Divaposted 2 years ago

    I notified one of the websites from which he has most recently stolen material. I hope they look into it.

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    1. 83

       bravewarriorposted 2 years agoin reply to this

       Good for you, Linda! Too bad you can't include a link to this thread.

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