My story got stolen by an aggregator audiobook site

JayMark

It's Not Easy Being Nobody, But Somebody Has To.
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Sharts in fried garlic, they took all four of my books too. Just why? Now I have to figure out how to do a take-down notice.

And the site is a virus infested s-hole that tries to fry my laptop half the time I check it. It keeps trying to download web browsers when I try to get the contact information. These dudes have this figured out. :s_eek:
 

Representing_Tromba

Sleep deprived mess of an author begging for feedb
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Sharts in fried garlic, they took all four of my books too. Just why? Now I have to figure out how to do a take-down notice.

And the site is a virus infested s-hole that tries to fry my laptop half the time I check it. It keeps trying to download web browsers when I try to get the contact information. These dudes have this figured out. :s_eek:
I couldn't find the contact information and there terms of agreement says you cannot file a claim with them if you create an account. As a result I haven't created an account yet and don't intend to. What is their contacts? If you don't mind.
 

JayMark

It's Not Easy Being Nobody, But Somebody Has To.
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I couldn't find the contact information and there terms of agreement says you cannot file a claim with them if you create an account. As a result I haven't created an account yet and don't intend to. What is their contacts? If you don't mind.
Nothing. They don't have it listed. The donate provides only two crypto wallet code.

This is on the rules if you click to make an account.

Request for Content Removal: If you are a Rights Holder and believe that your work's placement on the Site infringes your copyright, please contact us without any specific instructions to submit a request for content removal or modification. We commit to removing or modifying the respective content as soon as possible after receiving an official request.

But no contact information anywhere so it's kind of a moot point.
 

Representing_Tromba

Sleep deprived mess of an author begging for feedb
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Nothing. They don't have it listed. The donate provides only two crypto wallet code.

This is on the rules if you click to make an account.

Request for Content Removal: If you are a Rights Holder and believe that your work's placement on the Site infringes your copyright, please contact us without any specific instructions to submit a request for content removal or modification. We commit to removing or modifying the respective content as soon as possible after receiving an official request.

But no contact information anywhere so it's kind of a moot point.
I filed the DCMA yesterday. That may be the only way to do it then.
 

3guanoff

Well-known memoir
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Jul 14, 2023
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You can try sending an abuse report to the email listed in their domain registration and, if there is no response, their domain registrar.
Since they host lovely ads such as this
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I doubt they are very serious about following the law. Nonetheless, it seems they cheaped out on their domain - if it was acquired legitimately, that is.
Their domain was registered to squarespace on the 11th of October. You can find squarespace's DMCA contact here.

If they only bought their domain there and their hosting is external, squarespace cannot remove the content. But they should at least provide you with a valid contact method for the registrant. If later said registrant does not respond, you may be able to get them to take action.
If their site is hosted on squarespace, the infringing content will be deleted. I recommend blustering and asking for the customer's legal information for the purpose of discussing compensation. Of course, since the site is registered to someone from the UA, you are unlikely to see a penny. Nonetheless, squarespace will consider you more seriously.

Considering they use crypto for donations, they do not seem like clueless idiots. It is possible their domain or the identity used to register said domain are stolen.

This is a little interesting, thus, I dug a little deeper
The internet is not my domain, but I did a basic check for this Yaroslav Zhomyruk the domain was registered to. They seem to have some fraud experience, purporting to be the author of this book by Maureen Redmond-Scura.

There are several results for Ярослав Жомирук and Yaroslav Zhomiruk. But I will leave that last step as an exercise to the reader. Keep in mind that this poor fellow might have had their identity stolen. People smart enough to use crypto for payments rarely put their real name on the domain registration.

After all, there are criminal gangs who specialize in assaulting the cyber wealthy.

For my closing remarks, let me promote self-awareness. Whether you are a criminal, a businessman, or a good-natured altruist, you should prioritize your security. If you are dead, your money will go to someone else. Do not skimp on security.
If you give the person in charge of your security a 10% pay cut, you are gambling with your life.
Likewise, whether you do online crime or build a legitimate online business, invest in your safety. Do not register your domain under your own name. Hiding it may cost a little extra, but this additional layer of anonymity may save your life.
There is a reason security companies include IT specialists these days.
 
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CharlesEBrown

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Interesting - on the page for each story they have "If you like this work, support the author at (link to profile)"...
So, had to kind of thank them and listed an "There is an UNAUTHORIZED audio version at [their website] - note that it appears to be a virus-ridden site that my wife's iPhone refused to load so if you go there, make sure your antivirus software is good." note in the book the skimmed.
 

Bartun

Friendly Saurian Neighbor
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Dec 9, 2020
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They made one of my book too!

I feel flattered ?

Edit: I just registered and listened. The audio is a feminine voice with a weird robotic accent. It's okayish when reading paragraphs but trash when reading dialogues.
 
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