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Ask HN: A Bolivian TV station stole my web app. What should I do?

4 points by dolphenstein ↗ HN
I just gave my lil' moustache app a bit of a facelift and then decided to see (via google) what was happening in the world of online moustache apps. I then came across this site: http://www.reduno.com.bo/bigote/

Pretty much a complete rip off of my facetache.com! (Their copy is based on an earlier version. http://20.facetache.appspot.com)

I'm somewhat miffed at the whole thing. Partially amused and partially a bit cranky at their audacity.

Anyways HN, what would your response be?

2 comments

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mouseroot
send em an email you could either get credit or they could completely ignore you the only difference is the color scheme and thier logo
lutusp
> Anyways HN, what would your response be?

Unfortunately I don't know anything about Bolivian copyright law. Under U.S. rules, you might have a good chance to argue that it's not a derivative or satirical work, it's a straight-up copy and therefore not a protected use -- you might have the right to compensation.

But in the international playing field, this is not so clear. Prosecuting such a case would be expensive.

The other post in this discussion suggests asking for a note of credit on the copied page. Under the circumstances, that's not a bad idea.