Content from other sites.

[tk]

Hello,

I have question about website content. I have a tech website.

1. Can I take content from other sites like articles and put it on my site, after mentioning the source. Like at the begining of article if I mention that this was taken from <websitename>.com

2. If there is a site that runs forums, and generally you find lot of answers in forum threads. Can I compile the information and again mention that it was taken from that website in header or footer.?

I guess the right approach would be to contact the website for permission. I have tried contacting few, but never get any response.

Thanks
tk

 

[Brian]

In 98% of the cases you should first contact the owner/writer of the articles information. There are some sites which you can get free content from, as long as you leave in a "info box" about the writer.

 

[unknownz]

i think u dont need to ask them until u mention the source you got the info from. but i might be wrong

 

[brandonlanglois]

well u should ask the person first cause it can lead to copyright laws and u can get sued

 

[StudioWorks]

Hey,

Well if you get content fron articles sites like ezinearticles.com you are free to republish them on your site as long as you keep the links to the author's web site. In other cases, you may need to contact the webmaster and ask for permission.

All the best,

SW

 

[kareltje]

yeah, you need to ask. you can always re-write the text in a different way, i've been told that's not copyright violation,

 

[Fundraiser]

yeah, you need to ask. you can always re-write the text in a different way, i've been told that's not copyright violation,

Or you can write your own content. Changing some of the text might help you get out of the legal issues of copyright violations but then each must make an ethical decision on what is the right thing to do, not what is legal.

Writing your own article based on multiple sources of info is best.

 

[kareltje]

i agree

 

[tk]

Yes I can agree more that I should contact the publisher. But my issue is I am not getting replies.

I do like the idea of rewriting the article, will try to explore that possibility.


I was planning to put at the start of the article like this.

"Source: xxxxxx.com, Author: yyyyyyy"

Should I take my chance?

 

[killaklown]

dont see whats really wrong if you give the original author credit, try looking at there TOS or Policy (dont know which one will give information about content)

 

[Fundraiser]

dont see whats really wrong if you give the original author credit, try looking at there TOS or Policy (dont know which one will give information about content)

It's a violation of copyright law is what is wrong. While it is unlikely you would be prosecuted, it is very likely you could lose your hosting account and even your domain.

If you simply republish content, the copyright owner can suffer a financial loss if someone reads the stolen copy rather than the authorized version where the content may be used for sales or to draw paying advertisers.

"Fair use" allows you to use a sentence or two plus a link to the original content on its original site.

 

[tk]

Thanks Fundraiser.

I guess I will avoid it, till I recieve replies from the websites. How about my second question, does it have same implications ??

2. If there is a site that runs forums, and generally you find lot of answers in forum threads. Can I compile the information and again mention that it was taken from that website in header or footer.?

 

[domainprince]

Create/write you own content is the best option.

 

[Zubair1]

yeah I would agree with that

 

[Rajo]

now the problem is:
can u write ur own content as professional as others?

 

[Fundraiser]

now the problem is:
can u write ur own content as professional as others?

If you can't, you can hire a professional. Problem solved. If you can't afford one, you can do the best you can on your own.

If you do try to do it yourself, you may not be as good as a professional but then you will get better by practicing and by learning from what others have done.

If you are running a business online and are selling services or products, you need to have professional level content. But if it is that important, the cost of a professional writer is a justified and necessary business expense.

If instead you are trying to attract spiders and increase search engine ranking, you need only to be a competent writer but even better would be to understand what spiders are looking for and how best to feed them.

 

[Don]

If you can't, you can hire a professional. Problem solved. If you can't afford one, you can do the best you can on your own.

If you do try to do it yourself, you may not be as good as a professional but then you will get better by practicing and by learning from what others have done.

If you are running a business online and are selling services or products, you need to have professional level content. But if it is that important, the cost of a professional writer is a justified and necessary business expense.

If instead you are trying to attract spiders and increase search engine ranking, you need only to be a competent writer but even better would be to understand what spiders are looking for and how best to feed them.

I agree completely with what Fundraiser said. But I'll take the last paragraph one step further...

It would be better to first figure out what sort of information 'people' are looking for and the keywords they're using to find that information. Then write your own article optimized for those keywords/phrases - one of the reasons it might be better to write your own article in the first place (you control how optimized it will be).

I highly recommend you liquify the article when you're done - spiders appreciate not having to take that extra step before devouring a good meal. :blink:

 

[will7]

If in doubt, ask. Simply send an email to the author or owner of the website saying something to the effect of:

"I feel that your article, located here: <link to article> was very useful. I also feel it would be extremely useful to my users and would be grateful if you would grant me permission to republish this information on my website here: <your website>.

I would, of course, give credit to your website and to the author of the article in question.

Thank you,

With regards,

<Your Name>"

Something like that should suffice, be professional and be polite and I am sure that the author will have no problem letting you re-use the content.

 

[Don]

Example letter above...

Something like that should suffice, be professional and be polite and I am sure that the author will have no problem letting you re-use the content.

The letter above is a great way to approach it...

I've found that 9 times out of ten, as long as you tell them you'll include a link to their site above or below the article - they'll say yes. A few authors have given me rights to republish every one of their articles - once they noticed the boost in traffic. :hehe:

Good luck with it, hope they get back to you.

 

[Fundraiser]

greatdomainz - great advice on writing for the needs of the site.


will7 - an excellent approach indeed.