Article theft is an increasing concern for online content creators. Your original work can be copied from your website or other platforms without your consent. The internet, in many ways, resembles the ‘Wild West,’ where established rules are frequently disregarded, presenting challenges for those who respect copyright laws.
While tempting to pursue every instance of article theft, policing the internet can be time-consuming. Some authors meticulously track every link to their site, a task that can be both tedious and inefficient. A practical approach is to prioritize your battles.
Here’s a useful rule of thumb: if someone uses your article without permission but keeps the content and links intact, it may not warrant immediate action. However, if your article is altered, paragraph headers are changed, the title is modified, or someone claims authorship, it’s time to intervene. Contact the offending party and demand corrections. Minor errors, like broken links, can often be overlooked.
Time is a valuable asset for writers. Focus your efforts on addressing blatant violations, and let the minor issues slide. It’s more productive to dedicate your time to creating new content and generating income than chasing down every instance of plagiarism. This approach isn’t perfect, but it prevents you from getting bogged down in a potentially wasteful pursuit.