Getting a book published today often means partnering with a publishing house that can handle everything from the cover design to reaching the right audience. A good publisher supports authors through every stage, including design, editing, publishing, and marketing.
However, a recent investigation reveals that a company calling itself European Author House Europeanauthorhouse has engaged in deliberate plagiarism and fraudulent practices, copying the design, branding, and client portfolios of Ireland Publishing House
Complete Copying of Website Design
A careful comparison of the two websites shows striking similarities:
- Homepage Layout: European Author House’s homepage mirrors Ireland Publishing House’s in structure, style, and colour scheme. The same book showcase slider, typography, and content hierarchy have been copied almost identically.
- Author Testimonials Section: The most concerning element is the use of actual author videos originally hosted by Ireland Publishing House The same authors are presented with identical thumbnails and video durations, giving the false impression that these authors are affiliated with European Author House.
- Author Branding Services: The section promoting “professional author websites” has been duplicated word-for-word, including bullet points such as “Custom author website design” and “SEO-friendly structure and mobile responsive layout.” These services were originally developed and branded by Ireland Publishing House for its clients.
Misappropriation of Author Portfolios
Beyond visual and textual copying, European Author House has used real author portfolios from Ireland Publishing House clients without permission. Specifically, author websites that were designed and developed by Ireland Publishing House for its own clients are now being displayed on European Author House’s portfolio page as examples of its own work. This is particularly alarming because:
- Prospective clients may be misled into believing these authors, and the websites built for them, are the work of European Author House.
- Client book covers, biographies, author websites, and success stories have been lifted directly from Ireland Publishing House’s website and client deliverables.
This practice constitutes intellectual property theft and misrepresentation, putting both authors and the publishing industry at risk.
Implications for Authors
Authors seeking publishing support must be vigilant. Copycat websites like European Author House present multiple risks:
- Financial Risk: Authors may pay for services that are substandard or never delivered.
- Reputational Risk: Using a fraudulent publisher could harm an author’s credibility if readers or industry partners discover misrepresentation.
- Legal Risk: By using stolen content, authors may inadvertently be associated with copyright infringement disputes.
How to Protect Yourself
To avoid falling victim to fraudulent publishers, authors should:
- Verify Registration: Check if the publishing company is officially registered and transparent about its location and credentials.
- Confirm Client Reviews: Look for independent reviews and testimonials rather than relying solely on content hosted by the publisher.
- Inspect Portfolios Carefully: Compare author portfolios and website designs against known legitimate publishers to spot potential copying.
- Consult Industry Networks: Engage with writing associations, trusted literary agents, or author forums for advice.
Legitimate Publisher vs. Fraudulent Imitator
The distinction in this case is straightforward. Ireland Publishing House is a registered publisher with verifiable business credentials, original branding, and authentic client work produced under signed client agreements. The author websites, portfolios, testimonials, and service materials on its site reflect work it has actually delivered.
European Author House, by contrast, is displaying client websites, author portfolios, and service content that it did not produce, presenting the work of another company as its own. Misrepresenting another publisher’s deliverables as one’s own portfolio is not a marketing choice or a stylistic overlap; it is fraud.
Authors should exercise extreme caution, verify the authenticity of any publishing service before engagement, and confirm that portfolio items shown to them were genuinely produced by the company claiming credit.
