Web sites; company details

[Brown and Boris]

I have been trying to identify a couple of new competitors who have web sites, but no contact details other than a mobile number. No names, addresses, company house numbers, VAT numbers (although they quote prices to have VAT added)or even landlines. They may be companies, but as likley to be sole traders. Everything is done via email and they are taking payments via Worldpay.

I understood that traders had to put their registered address on their web sites, just lie they do on invoices etc?

Can I grass them up, and who to?

[grumbledoak]

You are right that they should: http://www.out-law.com/page-7594

Not sure who you'd report it to, or how 'low' that would be - you don't seem to be talking about multi-nationals with large eCommerce budgets here, but individuals who quite possibly don't even know...

Edited by grumbledoak on Friday 22 August 19:46

[The Moose]

Just bear in mind that if they are not a Limited Company nor VAT registered, then they would not have to put such information on their site...

If you want to "grass" them up, maybe start at companies house??

Cheers

The Moose

[Brown and Boris]

I am miffed because these operators are using my copyrighted materials and selling them as their own.

They are also teaching people how to 'cheat' the system; a system which used to, and probably still pays their mortgage. Effectively they are selling information, some of it belonging to me and other material which is designed to frustrate attempts to properly test people's qualifications ( a bit like lecturers selling essays for degree courses on the side).

Without an address I can't even get a solicitiors letter sent about the copyright issues and don't want to alert then to my interest by email or mobile until I know who they are. I think they may be people employed by one of the legit operatiors, but who are trading on the side and disguising their identity because they know that their employer forbids them from trading other than through their regulated employment.

In my experience rather than getting all legal with these people it is easier to get HMRC, Companies House and their employers to deal with them, and that doesn't cost me lawyers fees.

[ukvoyager.info]

You could start with the hosting company? They might then give up the name of the person paying for the site if they are hosting illegal content.

You could also do a whois on the domain and see who it is registered to.

[JustinP1]

Better idea:

Pay them for the information. You then have the proof that they are copying your materials.

Then maybe try a 'whois' search to see where their site is registered.

Thirdly, maybe give them a ring and tell them you want 10 copies of the info and tell them you need by company cheque. Ask them where you should send the cheque...