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Hey guys, my name is Steve Sudell, creator of the Neck Hammock.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/neckhammock/the-neck-hammock-best-neck-pain-relief/
I've run into a huge problem where multiple SCAM artists have stolen all of my content and are claiming to sell as their own on their websites. They are on facebook ads, instagram posts, and websites. We are constantly reporting to facebook, shopify and paypal, but it usually takes several days to respond. When they take the site down, they just copy and paste the content onto another website.
This is potentially a HUGE problem for future creators. There is big business in ripping us off. Any guidance here would be so appreciated. Thank you!

I think due dilligence is needed here, but it seems you're doing the right thing by finding them quickly and shutting them down.

I think contacting the site owners doesn't help much, but actually contacting the web hosts and getting the content (or even site!) removed is the best thing. A tool like http://whoishostingthis.com/ is great for something like this, then find the webhost, go to their terms and conditions (or abuse) page and then file a report...or call for a quicker call to action.

theneckhammock wrote:Hey guys, my name is Steve Sudell, creator of the Neck Hammock.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/neckhammock/the-neck-hammock-best-neck-pain-relief/
I've run into a huge problem where multiple SCAM artists have stolen all of my content and are claiming to sell as their own on their websites. They are on facebook ads, instagram posts, and websites. We are constantly reporting to facebook, shopify and paypal, but it usually takes several days to respond. When they take the site down, they just copy and paste the content onto another website.
This is potentially a HUGE problem for future creators. There is big business in ripping us off. Any guidance here would be so appreciated. Thank you!

Report them to the proper authorities in your country, I believe that the FTC has a great channel for this. If you file a report each and every single day it will help the process move along further.

You can also post links to each scam in this form. It helps to let the community know which products to avoid.

hyperstarter wrote:I think due dilligence is needed here, but it seems you're doing the right thing by finding them quickly and shutting them down.

I think contacting the site owners doesn't help much, but actually contacting the web hosts and getting the content (or even site!) removed is the best thing. A tool like http://whoishostingthis.com/ is great for something like this, then find the webhost, go to their terms and conditions (or abuse) page and then file a report...or call for a quicker call to action.

Im sorry to say this to you, but that is foolish advice, and will do nothing at all. Web hosts only respond to DMCA takedown requests for copyrighted content and products. Just sending them a complaining email will do nothing at all, at least in the united states.

If this is such a big problem for this campmaign, they need to do what a real business does: retain a lawfirm or a legal service that issues takedown requests every day.

This is not cheap, but if his product is this popular I have a feeling he can afford it.

Why would you post someone such bad advice? Don't you know anything about these matters?

Thanks for the message, but we all have opinions - I think 'foolish' is the wrong term to use, but it's upto you!

Neck Hammock was responding to a copyright issue, so it seems my comment would be useful in this regard.

Also, Hyperstarter was the first company who worked on the Neck Hammock at prelaunch, so we know the owners well and this was a really successful campaign

eloisecrowdfunds wrote:

hyperstarter wrote:I think due dilligence is needed here, but it seems you're doing the right thing by finding them quickly and shutting them down.

I think contacting the site owners doesn't help much, but actually contacting the web hosts and getting the content (or even site!) removed is the best thing. A tool like http://whoishostingthis.com/ is great for something like this, then find the webhost, go to their terms and conditions (or abuse) page and then file a report...or call for a quicker call to action.

Im sorry to say this to you, but that is foolish advice, and will do nothing at all. Web hosts only respond to DMCA takedown requests for copyrighted content and products. Just sending them a complaining email will do nothing at all, at least in the united states.

If this is such a big problem for this campmaign, they need to do what a real business does: retain a lawfirm or a legal service that issues takedown requests every day.

This is not cheap, but if his product is this popular I have a feeling he can afford it.

Why would you post someone such bad advice? Don't you know anything about these matters?