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Michael Martinez of SEO Theory tipped me off to Google updating their duplicate content webmaster guidelines page.
The update was pretty minor, they made some stylist changes but also changes the last paragraph.
New Version:
In rare situations, our algorithm may select a URL from an external site that is hosting your content without your permission. If you believe that another site is duplicating your content in violation of copyright law, you may contact the site’s host to request removal. In addition, you can request that Google remove the infringing page from our search results by filing a request under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
Old Version:
If you find that another site is duplicating your content by scraping (misappropriating and republishing) it, it's unlikely that this will negatively impact your site's ranking in Google search results pages. If you do spot a case that's particularly frustrating, you are welcome to file a DMCA request to claim ownership of the content and request removal of the other site from Google's index.
Here, Google is saying that they rarely ever have an issue with displaying your content below a site stealing your content in the search results. Whereas before, they stated if it happens, here is what to do. Here they are now saying that it is very rare for it to happen.
The wording alone isn't major but when you see that it was changed, it does send a message.
Forum discussion at Search Engine Roundtable Forums.
