Page 1 of 1
Question about sites including my site in frame
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 4:07 am
by matthijs
I would like some help with the following.
Recently I found out that my site gets included in some sort of directory site. The site lets people search/browse on different topics, and shows my site in the results. However, instead of linking to my site and letting people go there, they include my complete site in a frame.
Also recently a client of mine got asked if it was ok to include their site in some sort of directory aggregator (same principle I guess).
Now I would like to know:
- Is this a common practice?
- Would it be bad for SEO? Because of the duplicate content.
- Is it legally allowed for site owners to do that (without permission)?
Thanks.
[edit]
Ok I found out it is illegal to do this. As the other party is including my content on their site. There are ads in the top frame, so they are making money while using my content, without my permission.
But the other issue (search engines) is more worrying though. i wouldn't want people looking for keywords specific to my website to end up on the other site instead of mine. So any input on that issue is appreciated.
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:41 am
by Grim...
I don't think it is illegal.
There's simple javascript that will stop it.
Re: Question about sites including my site in frame
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 9:55 am
by angus
matthijs wrote:I would like some help with the following.
Recently I found out that my site gets included in some sort of directory site. The site lets people search/browse on different topics, and shows my site in the results. However, instead of linking to my site and letting people go there, they include my complete site in a frame.
Also recently a client of mine got asked if it was ok to include their site in some sort of directory aggregator (same principle I guess).
Now I would like to know:
- Is this a common practice?
- Would it be bad for SEO? Because of the duplicate content.
- Is it legally allowed for site owners to do that (without permission)?
Thanks.
[edit]
Ok I found out it is illegal to do this. As the other party is including my content on their site. There are ads in the top frame, so they are making money while using my content, without my permission.
But the other issue (search engines) is more worrying though. i wouldn't want people looking for keywords specific to my website to end up on the other site instead of mine. So any input on that issue is appreciated.
Technically he's not "including" your website, he's ... linking back in an abstract fashion

.
What search engines do you know that actually do this, I know image searches do this, but they don't have any banners, etc. They are anyway in it's rarity as I've never came accross one

...
If you want to be removed, just email the service, they have to take you off it, if you don't want to be included, its your site after all ...
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 10:02 am
by Grim...
Code: Select all
<script type="text/javascript">
function frames_suck() {
if (top.location != location) {
top.location.href = document.location.href ;
}
}
</script>
<!-- lalalaaa -->
<body onload="frames_suck()">
Fixed, plus you still get included in the directory.
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 11:27 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
Your content by virtue of being publicly accessible on the internet make this a legal action in most countries. Consider what would happen if it were illegal - then Google Cache is suspect (it's actually serving stored content indirectly), along with the dozen or more archive sites on the web these days...and then some. You make it public, you must expect it to be distributed publicly. Now if they edited your content without your permission and then proceeded to re-serve it...that would be illegal.
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 2:42 pm
by Buddha443556
Would it be bad for SEO? Because of the duplicate content.
It's not duplicate content if it's your site in a frame. Somewhere in the HTML it's pointing to your domain. However, check the search engines to make sure your site comes up on keywords and phrases and not the other site's frame set (which is possible with Google at least).
Google wrote:Google supports frames to the extent that it can. Frames can cause problems for search engines because they don't correspond to the conceptual model of the web. In this model, one page displays only one URL. Pages that use frames display several URLs (one for each frame) within a single page. If Google determines that a user's query matches the page as a whole, it will return the entire frame set. However, if the user's query matches an individual frame within the larger frame set, Google returns only the relevant frame. In this case, the entire frame set of the page will not appear.
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:16 pm
by matthijs
Thans for the reply's. I'm a bit wiser now.
I do think however that what they are doing is illegal. From
this site:
By framing the content of one web site within another, the framer may be committing a copyright violation either for reproducing or creating a derivative work based upon the original work. A "derivative work" is defined by the Copyright Act as "a work based upon one or more preexisitng works, such as a translation,... art reproduction, abridgement, condensation, or any other form in which a work may be recast, transformed, or adapted." To determine which of the exclusive copyright rights has been violated, courts must look to the purpose and function of the frame. At least one court has found that a framer does not unlawfully reproduce copyrighted material by framing; rather, the framer creates an unlawful derivative work
And according to
plagiarismtoday
The reason is that framing a site, even if one does claim it isn’t a reproduction of the work, does create a derivative of it. Simply by adding a banner and logo across the top of a site, one changes the original work. The right to create derivative works is the sole right of the copyright holder, unless willingly forfeited, and that makes such use of the material an infringement.
The point is, the site is using other's content - without permission - for their own profit.
Also, I looked at the source code of their site. In it you will find an exact copy of my metadata, with one exception:
The meta copyright is on their name!!
You see that exactly
my keywords and metadata is being copied, while at the same time
they claim copyright!!
I have traced the owners of the site and emailed them. If they dont remove my site on short term they can expect a letter from my lawyer

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:22 pm
by Oren
matthijs wrote:Also, I looked at the source code of their site. In it you will find an exact copy of my metadata, with one exception:
The meta copyright is on their name!!
Now it really seems like what they do is illegal.
Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:25 pm
by matthijs
yes it is. I know several other people and sites who are being "framed" as well and have contacted them about it. So when actions are needed I'm not alone.