How do you outrank a page with the same content?

[ooen]

There are cases which your website and other websites have the same content(partially). For example, both participate in the same affiliate program. Both get a copy of GPLed or public domain work. How do you outrank a page with the same content? PR, PR, PR?

 

[ooen]

Getting out of sandbox

I have two websites, but both domains are pretty new. Presumably they are in sandbox. How do you find out if your website is out of sandbox or not? I asked about this in a couple of different forums, but most people appear to be just guessing.