minor copyright issue

[max popenker]

Hello
As some of you might know, for last 6 years i run a Modern Firearms website
On October 12th, 2006 i put online an article about new HK pistol, the HK P30, which was 100% written by me.
2 days ago i spotted an entry in the Handgundata blog, which contains their own version of HK P30 article.
What struck me was the obvious similarities between my and their articles, in few first paragraphs, like that:

Modern Firearms version
The HK P30 pistol is the most recent creation of the famous German company Heckler und Koch Gmbh. It was announced in 2006; prototypes, initially known as HK P3000, were demonstrated during previous year. The P30 is a further evolution of the highly successful HK P2000 pistol; it is positioned by manufacturer as an ideal police pistol, but it also could make a very good self-defense weapon for civilians.
HK P30 is technically similar to the HK P2000 pistol; the differences are in exterior appearance and ergonomics. P30 is available in several variants, which differ in the type of the trigger.

The HK P30 pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol that uses modified Browning-type locking. Frame of the pistol is made from impact-resistant polymer. Trigger unit is a separate module; several versions of the trigger unit are available, as described below. Other features of P30 include a double-stack magazine that holds 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition, with ambidextrous magazine release, ambidextrous slide release lever, and modular grip design. The grip shape can be tailored to the particular requirements of each shooter by replacement of the removable backstraps and side grip panels (three sizes of either part are available, designates as S, M and L). Front part of the frame, below the barrel, is shaped to form an integral Picatinny-type accessory rail.

and

Handgun data blog version
The data provided below was obtained from H&K European website (hotlink above). The HK P30 (previously known as the P3000) pistol is the most recent creation of the Heckler and Koch. It was announced in 2006; prototypes, initially known as HK P3000, were demonstrated during previous year. The P30 is a further evolution of the HK P2000 pistol; it is positioned by the manufacturer as an ideal police pistol, but it also could make a very good self-defense weapon for civilians.
HK P30 is technically similar to the HK P2000 pistol; the differences are in exterior appearance and ergonomics. P30 is available in several (six) variants, which differ in the type of the trigger.

The HK P30 pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol that uses modified Browning-type locking. Frame of the pistol is made from impact-resistant polymer. Trigger unit is a separate module. The front part of the frame, below the barrel, is shaped to form an integral Picatinny-type accessory rail. Other features of P30 include a double-stack magazine that holds 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition, with ambidextrous magazine release, ambidextrous slide release lever, and modular grip design.

For me, it looks like "Copy & paste" with minor editing, but the blog owner refused to post my comment with question.
Well, I'm not looking for any lawsuit or other legal action against this guy - i just feel that it was worth to put a link to my site as an original source of information - sorry, i don't buy their quote "The data provided below was obtained from H&K European website (hotlink above)"

 

[Fn-P9]

It reads like the same article to me as well. In all legality I suppose you would have a case of copyright infringement and with all supporting evidence you just might wn a case. It would irk me greatly as well and I feel your pain. Maybe send the author of the other article thats is boardering on nasty ,with a hint to contact a lawyer. I dont know how all laws work especially if nobody is making any monies from these types of works.
Get nasty I suppose

 

[psyopspec]

Provided you posted yours first, there is something fishy about this. You could just shoot him an e-mail saying you really don't appreciate it and you want him to stop (basically a cease and desist).

 

[michaelbane]

Clear cut plagarism

This is obvious. Minor editing changes do not render the other person's work different from yours. The fact that he refused to post your comments on his blog is evidence of his consciousness of his guilt.

 

[Axman]

Tell him you are flattered that he decided to trust your writing is accurate but the fact is plagiarism is very unprofessional. Then make a comparison on your site regarding the blatant plagiarism. Show both of the articles and make sure people know who the plagiarist is.

 

[Delta608]

How are you damaged...?? Is the offenders site subsciption..?? AND is the original work really copyrighted..?? (I dont mean with your intials with a circle C )... It sure does look like your stuff...At least he didnt copy and use any of your pictures...!!

 

[Jim K]

I have the same thoughts. Copyright law is still in flux in regard to blogs and web postings. In the print medium, the product is sold, so someone who copies the material and provides it for free is harming the original writer (or the copyright owner, usually the publisher) by depriving him of legitimate profit from the writing. But if one free blog copies from another free blog, it is hard to see what damage has been done unless the words are used in such a way as to harm the original writer or a cause he supports. In fact, how Mr. Popenker harmed? It may be irritating to see one's words used by others, but IMHO, trying to pursue this kind of thing is pointless and will just cause stomach upset and sleepless nights to no avail.

Of course, Mr. Popenker can consult an attorney, but the cost will, I think, be more than any possible gain.

Jim

 

[Henry Bowman]

Jim, most of your assumptions on US copyright law are not correct. However, you are right that it is not worth taking legal action.

The other variable is that the original author appears to be in Russia. For a summary of Russian copyright law (not the same as US law) see: http://www.copyrighter.ru/lite/index.html?apisp_eng.htm