# Website stealing content from Cecil's Columns and SDSAB Reports **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 27, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610 "2005-09-27T02:17:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/21 "2005-09-28T08:11:53Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Wrong kind of dog, though. I wonder if they’ll ever have ads for Death Rays. Yeah I wonder if it looks at the usernames? When I posted there was **Rottweiller Wallpaper** , **Rottweiler Training** , and two other rottweiller ads. Now I see those two plus **American Pit Bull** , and **Fine Art Dog Portraits** (WTF?) ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/22 "2005-09-28T18:24:21Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > TBTB may wish to look into [this site](http://www.beersforengineers.com/BfE-FAQ.html), which appears to have reprinted complete articles from the Straight Dope archives, including a Staff Report from yours truly. Bastards! > > Sic 'em, Ed. This isn’t going to be easy. The website is run by an organization called Beers for Engineers, apparently a social group in CA. There’s no contact info on the site. I called the one phone number I saw; turned out to be a tavern where they met at least once, but apparently they didn’t announce themselves - the owner never heard of them. I’m pursuing one other angle, but if anybody has heard of these guys or can find anything out about them, let me know. Please DON’T make any contact with them yourself; I’ll handle that. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/23 "2005-09-28T18:44:37Z")
> [@Ed Zotti](#): > > This isn’t going to be easy. You ain’t kidding. I tried to look up the Whois info on that site–but there isn’t any. [This page](http://tragos.org/) may be of some help–possibly one of the other sites sharing this server can provide some additional information. It’s entirely possible that all three are run by the same person(s). There is Whois information available for that URL: I found it [here](http://whois.net/whois.cgi2?d=http://tragos.org/). ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/24 "2005-09-28T18:46:54Z")
Innocent question. If a website (say the Beers for Engineers) attributes the column to Cecil, and even provides a link to the Straight Dope front page, isn’t that kosher? Like quoting and attributing something to the NY Times on these boards. Seems more like free advertising than stealing. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/25 "2005-09-28T18:50:53Z")
> [@if6was9](#): > > Innocent question. If a website (say the Beers for Engineers) attributes the column to Cecil, and even provides a link to the Straight Dope front page, isn’t that kosher? Like quoting and attributing something to the NY Times on these boards. Seems more like free advertising than stealing. No. Under the rules of Fair Use, it is acceptable to copy and/or republish a _small_, relevant portion of an article for use in one’s own works and provide proper attribution. However, republishing an article in its entirely without the copyright-holder’s express permission, even with proper attribution, is not allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/26 "2005-09-28T18:52:02Z")
> [@if6was9](#): > > Innocent question. If a website (say the Beers for Engineers) attributes the column to Cecil, and even provides a link to the Straight Dope front page, isn’t that kosher? Like quoting and attributing something to the NY Times on these boards. Seems more like free advertising than stealing. They have to get permission, which they didn’t do, and which we rarely grant for other online venues - it tends to create the impression TSD in the public domain, which it isn’t. “Fair use,” which is what you’re referring to, is quoting brief excerpts, not appropriating the whole thing. While it may seem like free advertising, we’ve had people ripping off stuff wholesale, presumably to draw visitors to THEIR sites. We get nothing out of this, needless to say. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/27 "2005-09-28T19:35:00Z")
So, does this mean the board will be solvent now? You know, after the lawsuit and the huge award/settlement. ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/28 "2005-09-28T20:17:55Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > You ain’t kidding. I tried to look up the Whois info on that site–but there isn’t any. Are you sure? I looked it up via the whois search at [Network Solutions](http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jhtml) and it gave me full registration and contact info. ---
**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/29 "2005-09-28T21:16:00Z")
Thanks **Q.E.D** and **Ed**. I didn’t know the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/30 "2005-09-28T21:24:28Z")
> [@Santos L Halper](#): > > Are you sure? Well, I’m sure [Whois.net](http://Whois.net) didn’t have any info. Obviously, I didn’t check enough whois databases. ---
**Author:** ![Santos\_L\_Halper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/santos_l_halper/32/1_2.png) [@Santos\_L\_Halper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santos_L_Halper)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/31 "2005-09-28T21:51:30Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Well, I’m sure [Whois.net](http://Whois.net) didn’t have any info. Obviously, I didn’t check enough whois databases. You’re right, I checked there too. I don’t understand how one would have the info and the other doesn’t? ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/32 "2005-09-28T21:51:51Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Well, I’m sure [Whois.net](http://Whois.net) didn’t have any info. Obviously, I didn’t check enough whois databases. I checked several Whois lookups also and didn’t find anything. I guess you just have to look in the right places. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/33 "2005-09-29T17:24:02Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > TBTB may wish to look into [this site](http://www.beersforengineers.com/BfE-FAQ.html), which appears to have reprinted complete articles from the Straight Dope archives, including a Staff Report from yours truly. Bastards! > > Sic 'em, Ed. Not to be dubious, but where’s the article in question? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/34 "2005-09-29T17:31:16Z")
> [@Fabulous Creature](#): > > Not to be dubious, but where’s the article in question? What do you mean? Where is the article of mine they stole, where is the original article on the Straight Dope or what? ---
**Author:** ![squeekster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/779978/32.png) [@squeekster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeekster)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/35 "2005-09-29T17:43:28Z")
> [@Fabulous Creature](#): > > Not to be dubious, but where’s the article in question? It _WAS_ on the FAQ page of that site right under where it states “Next Question”. It seems to have somehow magically disappeared though. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/36 "2005-09-29T17:47:48Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > What do you mean? Where is the article of mine they stole, where is the original article on the Straight Dope or what? They took the articles down. [Google cache of the site still has em.](http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:p5PWk2KovpYJ:www.beersforengineers.com/BfE-FAQ.html+%22Beers+For+Engineers%22+cecil&hl=en&client=firefox-a) ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/37 "2005-09-29T17:53:24Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > They took the articles down. [Google cache of the site still has em.](http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:p5PWk2KovpYJ:www.beersforengineers.com/BfE-FAQ.html+%22Beers+For+Engineers%22+cecil&hl=en&client=firefox-a) Ah ha! That explains it, thanks. Ed moves pretty quick for an old guy. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/38 "2005-09-29T17:59:58Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > OMG, look what you did to Google Ads! 😃 I influenced the Google ads! What prize do I get? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/39 "2005-09-30T19:19:18Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > Ah ha! That explains it, thanks. Ed moves pretty quick for an old guy. 😉 Did he make them an offer they couldn’t refuse? Anyone missing a horse? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610/40 "2005-09-30T19:31:49Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Wasn’t that the bizarre “chicken board”? [Them](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=295910&highlight=metatus) and the Hong Kong-based [Metatus](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=132916&highlight=metatus), Law99, and HiCow. The HK-based ones no longer exist and the chicken one seems to have pruned all its SD-related content. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/website-stealing-content-from-cecils-columns-and-sdsab-reports/323610.md?page=3)