They Really Need to Read Chapter 15

Joelle said at some point on October 13, 2007

Dear [Guy Who Stole My Stuff],

Next time you decide to use my content and index page as a link dump for your websites, you might want to reconsider.

I am so sick of this crap. This time, you didn’t just take my design, you took my content.  My old domain, YetUpbeat.com, was released into the wild only to be snapped up by you, the owner of the following websites: [some urls which I’ve since removed].  (A few more quick searches found a bunch more “link dump"-type “marketing” websites for mortgages and hosting and other shilly things.) You then proceeded to nab my old index archived in Webarchive.org, leaving all my content including posts from May 2006, my name and my photos, but slapping a link to your [redhead] dating service and that [blog name removed] woman’s blog in the footer.

YES, I released my domain. That’s fine. TAKE IT. But that doesn’t entitle ANYONE to my content or use of MY FACE AND NAME.  I am absolutely livid.

I’ve done my homework. This is the internet, people. Did you think you wouldn’t get caught? There’s this thing called Google. Your company claims to be an internet marking provider?  A host?  A design shop?  What a crock! Your contact form didn’t work and if you were legit, you’d know that WE CAN FIND YOU.  And I won’t let this go as “language barrier” or “cultural differences” like I do when I see this stuff pop up in Indonesia or India.  You are from Michigan.  Good ol’ USA.  I looked you right up and now know your first and last name, address, phone number, myspace address (nice photo, by the way), and thanks to Google Maps, if I had my druthers I could find out exactly where and provide you with a satellite image.  So you go on assuming that the Internet is this magical mystical place where everyone can run amok being a sheisty jerk-off and no one is the wiser.

I’ve sent an informal “cease and desist” email to every email address for every URL you own (that I can find). I’ve also left comments on your blogs and via your contact forms (at least the ones that work). I’ve also saved a copy of every page that has your address (both of them) and phone and registrar information and I even called you directly at the phone number listed.  I tried every avenue before posting this.  If this were some kind of glitch, I’d think you’d be bending over backwards to assure me that it’s not your fault. I’ve received NO response from you.  Your host is next. THEY will remove the site if you won’t and I’d rather not have you banned from your host for violating their terms of service, but I will.  I most certainly will.

It’s not like you had links up to Donkey Lovers or anything, but it’s the principle. That is MY name, my face, my rep, my ranking you are using.  Take the domain… in fact, go ahead and put donkey porn on it if you want.  Hell, run naked through the street with a garbage bag on your head screaming, “Joelle sucks Bea Arthur’s tomatoes!” for all I care. But take my content off, take my name off, take my face off or prepare to take this outside.

I have attorneys and I am not afraid to use them.

Hmph.

Joelle