What is the name of your state? Maryland
What is the name of your state? Maryland
I just recently found that my picture is being used to market a less than wholesome dating service which caters to those looking purely for sex. I am absolutely furious because I run a child day-care service and this was brought to my attention by one of my customers after having discussed it with another one. The page even has my home city and state! How many thousands of people have seen my picture advertising a sex related website?!
I initially found my picture posted on a Yahoo member forum and ALL of the links posted go to a shady website which is purely acting as a go-between for the larger site. This is clearly part of an affiliate program in which they 'hire' help in generating clicks, views, and purchases for their website. An unsuspecting browser comes across the fake profile with my picture, clicks a link, then is taken to a website advertising "hot sex tonight." The creator of the fake profile with my picture is then paid for generating traffic.
I have tried a number of different ways to find the owner of the fake profile and secondary go-between website but all of the WHOIS data is false. Fortunately the affiliate program this person is taking part in is part of a rather large company but I'm not sure I will be able to get his info to confront him directly.
My question is this, is the affiliate legally bound to the company in which he represents? In other words, much like if McDonalds hires someone to do work for them and that person breaks the law, McDonalds would be responsible. Is this the case with affiliate programs? If not, would I legally be able to obtain the registration information for the actual person with which I have a grievance from the owner of the affiliate program? What should my next course of action be?
What is the name of your state? Maryland
I just recently found that my picture is being used to market a less than wholesome dating service which caters to those looking purely for sex. I am absolutely furious because I run a child day-care service and this was brought to my attention by one of my customers after having discussed it with another one. The page even has my home city and state! How many thousands of people have seen my picture advertising a sex related website?!
I initially found my picture posted on a Yahoo member forum and ALL of the links posted go to a shady website which is purely acting as a go-between for the larger site. This is clearly part of an affiliate program in which they 'hire' help in generating clicks, views, and purchases for their website. An unsuspecting browser comes across the fake profile with my picture, clicks a link, then is taken to a website advertising "hot sex tonight." The creator of the fake profile with my picture is then paid for generating traffic.
I have tried a number of different ways to find the owner of the fake profile and secondary go-between website but all of the WHOIS data is false. Fortunately the affiliate program this person is taking part in is part of a rather large company but I'm not sure I will be able to get his info to confront him directly.
My question is this, is the affiliate legally bound to the company in which he represents? In other words, much like if McDonalds hires someone to do work for them and that person breaks the law, McDonalds would be responsible. Is this the case with affiliate programs? If not, would I legally be able to obtain the registration information for the actual person with which I have a grievance from the owner of the affiliate program? What should my next course of action be?