Thursday 30 July 2020

This blog may be removed!

Yesterday I received a 'take down notification' from Blogger, about this post. Another writing blogger has reported it for infringing copyright. It doesn't, but because a complaint has been made I must remove the 'offending material'. If I fail to do so, I will be in violation of Blogger's terms and the entire blog could be removed.

I cannot remove anything which infringes copyright, as there's nothing to remove.

I can challenge this, but must tell them the precise content the matter refers to – and I can't because I don't know. There was a link which supposedly would take me to the complaint, but it states 'unspecified'. If I did know, I would need to provide a sworn statement and all my personal details would be made available to whoever made the complaint. 

There's a lot of stuff about me being at risk of perjury and having to pay damages if I go ahead. If I don't go ahead, I'm accepting the accusation I've infringed someone's copyright. Anyone who has read more than a few of my posts will know I take copyright matters seriously, and might understand how distressed I am by this.

If anyone has any experience of this issue and can advise me, please get in touch.

If this blog vanishes, you'll know it's because I couldn't remove what doesn't exist. 


34 comments:

liz young said...

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Who would do such a thing? The system is obviously flawed if you can be accused with no right of reply.

Patsy said...

@ Liz.

Yes, rubbish system.

The complaint was made by another writing blogger. I've not named them in the hope that it was made by mistake rather than being malicious, and that they'll withdraw it.

Gill James said...

Would the Society of Authors be able to offer any help? I've just done a complete sweep of your post and can find nothing that indicates any copyright issues. Could the complainant have made an error?

Chris Sutton said...

Are you sure this is genuine, Patsy? It sounds like a scam almost. How can you be accused of infringing copyright without the company giving specific details of that 'infringement', so that you can defend yourself. That's like the police arresting you but not reading you your rights or saying what the charge was. 'Unspecified' just doesn't cover it.

I'd suggest you get back in touch with them, asking them to provide specific details, so that you can investigate and either take it down, or defend your right to post it, whatever it was. To ask you to take something down when you don't know what it is is ridiculous. Sometimes mistakes are made in all innocence, but unless you are given all the relevant information, how can you know?

If the person who filed the complaint is reading the blog, perhaps they would like to give details. Patsy is a staunch defender of copyright matters and would not knowingly infringe anyone else's.

Patsy said...

@ Gill – I'm hoping it's just an error, rather than vindictive. I've contacted them asking if they'll withdraw the complaint.

@ Chris – I initially deleted the email thinking it had to be a hoax or scam, but it showed up when I logged into the blog. I asked for an explanation from Blogger yesterday, but haven't yet had a reply.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

That's dreadful, Patsy, and I fail to see where you might have done anything wrong! Surely Blogger can help with this.

carrie said...

That's awful, Patsy :( I do hope it can all be sorted for you. Surely if it's relating to one particular post they can tell you which one? It's all ridiculous!

Anonymous said...

That's awful. It really does sound like a scam, which says everything about how Blogger are dealing with it. I hope you get it sorted out. Liz

Patsy said...

@ Rosemary – I've asked them for an explanation. No reply yet.

@ Carrie – They've said which post. It's the last 'over to you' one, but not what part of it supposedly infringes copyright.

@ Liz – If it's a scam, I can't see what the complainer hopes to gain. My blog is no competition to theirs, which is for a writing society in America.

Chris Sutton said...

I've just re-read the last Over to You - the one about your anniversary, right? - and I am still at a loss. Do they object to the link to your book A Year of Ideas I wonder. But there's no copyright on titles, they get duplicated all the time. I'm as bewildered as you are by this one.

Patsy said...

@ Chris – Yes, that's the one. If it was the book title, why would they just complain about that one post? Surely they'd target the book itself?

Chris Sutton said...

If they're in America then they won't be awake yet. Maybe you'll get some clarity when their day starts.

lionsshare said...

This seems very strange and must be worrying for you. Stupid not to say what the supposed infringement is. Hope it's sorted soon - we don't want to lose you! x

L said...

I reckon it's a scam too. Call their bluff saying you will countersue and give them a date by which to reply.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I just read someone else got the same notice from a blog post six years ago. Odd!

cannycat said...

There are a few lawyers who deal with copyright/intellectual property law - it might be worth contacting a couple if you're able to? Also agree with the Society of Authors comment. It's hard to defend yourself if you don't know what you're defending yourself against! There's also what looks like some good advice at https://www.fsb.org.uk/resources-page/help-i-ve-been-accused-of-copyright-infringement.html

Jenny Worstall said...

Very odd and so sorry you've had this anxiety. Do hope it's all a big mistake and you'll be getting a massive apology soon.

Anonymous said...

Like your other correspondents, I can see nothing problematic in your post - surely this is a mistake. I hope the matter is resolved quickly, to spare you further anguish. And, like Jenny, I hope you get an apology. Eirin Thompson

Charlie said...

That’s awful Patsy - I do hope it gets sorted sooner rather than later for you.

Helen Laycock said...

Ad a bit of a technophobe, is it possible that someone just clicked on something, like three dots, to see what it was and inadvertently set off a complaint?

Carolb said...

It's unbelievable that someone could think anything in that post infringed their copyright as clearly it couldn't. Frustrating too in not having answers from Blogger. You know they're wrong, and we know they're wrong.

Hopefully the person who complained has made a mistake and they'll realise that before major damage is done.


ados123 said...

What a shame, Patsy and what a lot of worry and fuss over nothing. There was nothing in the post that I remember that was wrong. Sorry you've gone through this when you do so much to help people.
Alyson

Fay Knowles said...

Gosh, Patsy, this is terrible! You of all people don't deserve this. You are always so helpful and kind to other authors. And all those horrible book pirates get away with marketing our books illegally! Do hope it's just some kind of stupid mistake.

Writingfran said...

How awful Patsy. I hope it was a simple mistake and you get a resolution soon

Marguerite said...

I can't say anything new but just wanted to show my support for you, Patsy. Like all the above, I have scoured through the post.Do hope it gets resolved.

Anonymous said...

Some kind of scam trying to get you to click on dodgy link? Someone just trying to make trouble?
Or perhaps the complainant’s website has been hacked so it’s not really them? If it’s a scam I’m guessing other bloggers have received same message. Have retweeted on Twitter. Hope you get it sorted soon.
@LindaDaunter

Jan Halstead said...

Hi Patsy

I think this might be a phishing scam. Hackers have been targeting Instagram accounts for quite a while with copyright violation notifications. Why not blogs? If I were you, I would ignore it, click on nothing, trust nothing. I'm sure your blog won't disappear. Believe in your own innocence.

Jan

Patsy said...

Thanks everyone for your concern and support.

This definitely came through Blogger, so isn't the kind of scam intended to get me to click on a dodgy link or anything like that.

Maria said...

Gosh Patsy! I really hope this is some sort of misunderstanding, I hope the writer/blogger will respond to you and explain what she is upset about...it just seems very bizarre.

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculous, Patsy. You're the biggest defender of copyright on here. Sorry for all the worry it's causing you. Hope it get's sorted soon.
Jacqui

Anonymous said...

Really sorry you're being put through this stress, Patsy. My first thought is it's a scam of some sort, if not it's a mistake. Hope it get's resolved quickly. Good wishes. Kate Hogan

Lindsay said...

Please let us know how you are getting in with this horrible situation, Patsy. Sending virtual support! Wish I had some practical advice.

Patsy said...

Thanks everyone for the support. Things are looking a little better now.

Bubble said...

How utterly bonkers. Good luck and keep us posted.