A recent Law.com article discusses the legal issues related to Copycat Websites, which are sites that copy another site's design features, HTML code and meta data used to identify the site for search engines.

Copycat sites have been going on for a long time now. To their own detriment, these sites copy everything, including registered trademarks and copyrights. And by stealing another's IP, they put big targets on their own backs. This type of site is easily dealt with by shooting off a stern Cease and Desist letter and CC'ing the site's ISP for leverage.

Of course, this approach may be too bold for some attorneys, who are worried about exposing their client to a tortious interference with a business relationship claim. A further complication can occur when the copycat site belongs to an international company or is hosted by an off-shore ISP.

Regardless of whether you employ the shoot-first C&D tactic, a lengthy arbitration or an appeal to the State Attorney General, be sure to take plenty of screen shots of the copycat site and save its HTML source screens as evidence.