Plagiarism. How should we react?
These Book Blogging 101 posts should be used as a guide. Every situation is different.
In the wake of the Plagiarism scandals that are rocking our world (Don’t think so, Google blogging and plagiarism — and check it. Most of the links are from book bloggers). I was even one of the blogs plagiarized. In all the cases each person handled things differently. I was very surprised with the reactions from the GenPop on each case.
Some handled it internally and no one heard word about it, except the two parties involved, like in my case. All that was necessary was a very heated email exchange back and forth. Some cases were handled very publicly and some were handled publicly but with information withheld to protect parties involved. Each case had different reactions and outcomes. The general reactions that I heard from people hearing about the scandals:
- They are angry with the plagiarist because they stole
- They are angry with the plagiarist because they didn’t apologize correctly, or they reacted “wrong”
- There need to be harsher consequences for people that steal
- They didn’t understand exactly what the plagiarist “stole” and didn’t think it was wrong
- The victims of the plagiarism are chasing drama with their posts, they should have handled it internally
- Some of the plagiarist are minors and feel they are being bullied
This makes me wonder. I understand the anger towards the plagiarist. They stole. They are wrong. Wrong-doers make people angry. It is why we invented words like, Justice, Vengeance and…lynch mobs. But, I focused on the reactions of other bloggers. In all cases the content was taken down eventually. There might have been some lip back and forth, but in the end the desire event was achieved. The content removed. So, I thought, what is a proper reaction a plagiarist should make when accused and found guilty by evidence? Here are my thoughts.
Step 1. Own it.
You have been busted, your bits and parts are flapping in the wind and there is egg all over your face. Why are you denying you did anything wrong? Everyone is innocent in jail right? Well, you are not in jail, you have serious reputation recovery to handle. You shouldn’t own it after you sent two “deny deny” emails. You should own it at the beginning. The best thing to do would be to come clean with the person you plagiarized, remove the content IMMEDIATELY and then hold your breath.
Step 2. Most apologies accepted.
Now, word has probably spread. The person you plagiarized most likely discussed it with their buddies, those buddies might have discussed with one loudmouth. A few bloggers are probably in the know about the situation. It’s time to apologize. First and foremost you should apologize to the person or people that you stole from. If those people go public, you should issue a public apology on your blog. Direct, don’t give excuses, don’t state that “you didn’t know” all of this will look terrible. Just own it and apologize for it. What I did was wrong. I apologize. It will not happen again. Prioritize the people that you hurt and apologize to them. Better get that right too…nothing like apologizing to the wrong people and feeling that backlash.
Step 3. Reevaluate.
Maybe it is not the time to just handle business as usual. Use the time for reflection and revamping. Maybe take a few days off. Rethink your branding etc. I’m not saying ”hide”, but it might be a good time to spring clean. You have to reflect on what made you plagiarize in the first place. Are you low on time? Are you low on ideas? Are you desperate to succeed? Take a break and find out what prompted this, you might come out better in the end. You don’t have to quit. Use this as a learning experience, you might find yourself respected again, sooner then you think.
Step 4. Don’t do it again.
Don’t even be tempted. If even a hint of it lingers around you the masses will be frothing at the mouth to take you down. So, if you are ever tempted, it might be the time to say good-bye.
Now on the opposite spectrum. What to do if you have been plagiarized? The first knee jerk reaction is to TELL THE WORLD. Bring them down. But, this can have some adverse effects. The victim gets victimized again if the post seems to “bully” the accused. It is your word against them. You write a tell-all post and suddenly the accused turns out to be a twelve year old, and your a thirty-something…how does that look? You look like a dick, no matter how many time the person copy and pasted your work.
Step 1. Make contact on the down-low.
Your first step is not to jump on twitter and start DMing all your buddies. You can’t control them…the first thing they will do is go to the site. Some will comment. You need to make contact with all your ducks in a row. Cite your sources, your evidence and send it all over. You’ve been busted. Take your stuff down. They have 24 hours to remove the offending content, they are infringing on your copyright. If they do not remove the content you will contact their hosting company.
Making contact usually results in a apology or the content removed quickly. That is your goal. Nothing more. You want your content removed. The end. Once they do this, the matter should be closed and you can go about life.
Unless of course this isn’t your goal. Did you have other motives? Did you want to see them tried by the public? Humiliated? Ruined? Then if that is your goal, you can of course take it further and move on to the next steps. But, if they have removed the content…isn’t that enough? Do what feels right.
Step 2. Contact their Host
If they have not removed the content, it is now time to contact their host. If they are self-hosted, you would contact their hosting company, like Blue Host or GoDaddy. This might take longer, but it does work. Do your research. Look into their host’s TOS and in the email that you report the site, quote their own terms. Then give them examples of this person’s copyright infringement. The hosting site will take action if it thinks you have a good case. They will terminate hosting for the site. Of course, the site can always try and get hosting from another company, but this is a huge pain.
If they are not self-hosted, if they use platforms like Blogger you can usually shut-down their whole blog very easily by reporting them to Google, who is very strict with their TOS. Every CMS platform has strict rules against copyright and DMCA laws. This is a good way to stop any malicious plagiarism.
Step 3. Advertising Blitz
They have advertisers? Contact the advertisers.
Notify their advertisers that they are supporting a plagiarist who refuses to remove the offending content. Advertisers will usually give a pass if they accused pulls the content down…but if they don’t remove the content and you can cite examples the story is very different.
Step 4. Public Outcry
It has been a week. You’ve contacted their host. You’ve contacted them. No word. No apology. The stolen content is still live. It’s time to go social. This is when you write your PSA announcement. You highlight your proof, you state your case. You let the public decide. You provide links to their site. Who cares about giving them page views? Let them revel in that sort of exposure. It will be over very quickly.
Step 5. Hire a Lawyer
This is the most extreme, but if nothing has worked above and you still wish your content taken down, you would have to go to a lawyer and start legal proceedings.
What do you think? Are these good reactions? How would you, or how have you reacted to these situations?
Reader Question of the Week:
I do believe that there is no such thing as unintentionally plagiarism. To plagiarize you have to copy phrases and thought processes. It has to be an obvious similarity. A few similar phrases shouldn’t land you in any trouble. Hopefully. No one can copyright terms like “the characters are awesome” only the thought like, “In XXX book the characters are awesome because of their intelligence and wit.”
I worked up a Dos & Don’ts chart on what will get you in trouble for copyright. As long as you stay away from stuff like this, you should be fine.
Common Misconceptions about copyright that can get you in trouble.
- Don’t ever copy and paste anything. Obviously that is copyright infringement. Unless you are posting a quote from a piece with the source cited. Then you have to follow proper guidelines when quoting and citing.
- Do not ever post an image you are not sure is available for use.
- Do not ever post an excerpt without permission. Fair Use usually constitutes a few sentences, never a whole chapter.
- Screen shots. Did you know even screen shots can get you in trouble? Taking screen shots of whole posts and posting about them, or linking to them can get you in trouble under DMCA laws. Just like you can’t take screen shots of movies and post them, the same applies to blog posts. Under fair use again you have the right to post only a few sentences.
- Song lyrics are considered Fair Use but…you can’t post song lyrics unless you are reviewing THE SONG or doing a parody. Including lyrics in your book, or review of a book as a thought is considered copyright infringement.
- Comments count. Holy bugs! Did you know that if a reader posts copyrighted material in your comments you can be held liable. Yup. You are the admin, you have to control the content on your site. There was a rash of this happening last year. Someone was posting whole paragraphs of other people’s reviews in comments. No one could figure out why they were doing this. My pessimistic brain thought…maybe they are trying to get the blogger in trouble. Why else?
- Owning a graphics program and doing it “for free” doesn’t make you less liable then designers that charge. If you are doing a design for a friend and “lift” images off the web and then just place text on top of it…still copyright infringement. I see this all the time. Those funny gifs of shots from movies (which is copyrighted material) with just stupid phrases put over it. This is not fair use. Just because you are doing it for fun or free, doesn’t make it right. I just made a lot of people unhappy on this.
- Ponied up cash for an image? Bought a deviant digital artwork? Paid a designer to make a pretty header? It is still not yours to do what you want with. You need EXPRESS permission from the artist/designer/photographer to use that image in any way other then what it was intended for. I actually had a client that bought a photograph. An actual physical photograph. Scanned it in and sent it to me to “design” into her header. I told her I wouldn’t do it and lost the client. But, who do you think would be responsible when that photographer saw my design? Me. Yes, she paid for the photograph, but the image was intended as artwork to hang on your wall, not redistribution. Even stock images that you purchase from stock web sites have restrictions of use. Prints up to a certain number, not for large format printing etc. That is why when you purchase themes and blog designs, they usually have a user and developer charge. Developer charges are much more, because they relinquish rights and allow you to do what you want to the framework.
Book Blogging News:
There have been numerous cries of plagiarism this week, and consequently a 1 year after post by victims of plagiarism, fashion blogger, Beautifully Invisible. Beautifully Invisible was plagiarized by prominent young adult blogger, The Story Siren who still operates “as usual” to this day. It seems that is all that has been on topic this week and funny how it’s starting up about the same time as it did last year. Cabin fever leads to more plagiarism after long winters stuck inside? Or bloggers learning there is very little consequences as they see their “mentor” suffering hardly any ill effects? {source}
Happy Thursday. Talk Less. Read More. Blog with Integrity.
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Awesome post as always.
I can’t stand the thought of plagiarism.
You bring an excellent point about consequences.
And thank you for the common misconceptions section.
Thanks Juju. It is easy to forget what you can and can’t do when it comes to stuff on the internet. I know I am at fault for images also…I’m glad it helps.
Interestingly enough, my day job is at a university, and at times I have to deal with students who plagiarized. And just like in the book blog world, many of them are defiant and angry when confronted with the evidence. I think they often don’t understand that rewording/rephrasing is STILL plagiarism…this concept is not hard, but apparently they think so!! And I see the same thing here.
For what it’s worth, students get expelled from our university for plagiarizing…essentially ending their college career. And I don’t think it’s harsh at all to expect similarly tough sanctions on a blogger. Losing your advertisers and readership should not be a surprise in such a case.
I know plagiarism is rampant in college and high school environments. It is easier to just copy and paste internet information instead of writing your own. And I always wonder if it is a “new” thing, or if it is just easier to catch now in this digital environment. Now we are catching Newspaper reporters for plagiarizing — didn’t they even accuse Prez Obama of plagiarizing in one of his speeches. You can even get in trouble for “misquoting” a tweet. I think a few lawsuits in the political arena have popped up for that.
I think the first response for anyone doing wrong is to deny, but then again, isn’t it the same for someone wrongly accused? I think it is true that most do not understand changing a few words here and there is still plagiarism…but technically in their heart they should realize the thought is not their own, same within our sphere.
Great comment it has got me thinking.
So I’m totally out of the loop here. What other plagiarism scandals have there been lately? Other than TSS. Who plagiarized you? Or is that not public info?
Sigh…I need to get this stupid test out of the way so I can get back into the blogging world. And someday actually get my blog redesign done. *lazy*
Too many Alison! Mine has been handled, so I’m keeping it quiet. Don’t want to fuel the drama machine, LOL.
Good luck on your test chick! Come back to us
This is the best post I have ever read on plagiarism…
It is wrong, no doubt about that, but I hate when bloggers attack plagiarizers. Like that is gonna make a difference in the world to look like a bully and humiliate a loser. Really???
Maybe if they read your post, they may know the proper and mature steps to take in dealing with plagiarism.
Wow! Thanks Freda. I hope so. I think anything done to humiliate or retaliate against an individual is wrong. Basic principals of life. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I believe as an end game if the content is not removed the blogger should publicly come out to let everyone know. But, as always, a last resort.
Great and informative post.
I agree with Juju, thanks for the common misconceptions. Obviously, when hundreds of people read the same book there will be common opinions formed and spoken. That’s not plagiarism and people need to understand the differences.
Though, I think keeping it all private is the way to go ~ sometimes taking it public seems to becomes almost an evil necessity. Unfortunately. It would be nice if people would just own up, apologize and keep it from escalating to the ‘drama’ level.
Hope it calms back down soon.
Thanks Ali. I agree with you about common opinions. I had an issue with a review I did with Carrier of the Mark. Me and another reviewer both did tables and compared it to Twilight. I had never read this person’s review and I actually got an email from a reader that said that blogger plagiarized me. On researching, the other blogger published before me…and yes we had similar content but it wasn’t the same. We stated the same opinions because the book WAS just like twilight lol…just a coincidence.
I have been plagiarized a few times. Every time I try to handle it on the quiet. Unless the offending blogger doesn’t remove the content…I see no harm in keeping it quiet. Especially if they are apologetic.
I agree with this; I’ve seen posts where those that plagiarize show arrogance and refuse to take down whatever they stole. Maybe a post against plagiarism should greet every new blogger. You know, to kill the Plagiarizing Instinct before it spreads out like the plague. (As if it isn’t already, but still…)
Great post! I am always out of the loop when it comes to blogging drama, but I prefer it that way. I think issues should be handled privately, at least as privately as they can. I think people can say/do things out of anger that can only serve to make a bad situation worse. As always, your post is extremely helpful. I love that you included tips about unintentional plagiarism.
Great advice. And I couldn’t agree more with your step one “own it.” The biggest thing someone can do is own their wrongdoing. Whether it was a lapse in judgment or a continued pattern of bad behavior, when confronted the best thing to do to squash a situation before it gets out of hand is to own it.
While it doesn’t right the wrong, it certainly helps to calm things down. Unless the victim is out for blood, someone saying I did it, I messed up, I’m sorry, I’ll take it down and I won’t do it again will most often end things right then and there.
Of course that response takes a lot of courage and maturity. And sadly for many who’ve stooped to plagiarism in the first place they either don’t have that level of courage or maturity. But it’s also human nature to instantly become defensive and react accordingly. And that’s a tough response to fight against.
Just look at all those who publicly have been outed for their bad choices that refuse, even when backed into a corner, to admit their wrongdoing. (I’m not talking in the blogosphere.) Celebrities, politicians, religious icons. It’s hard to hold bloggers to a higher standard?
Yet we kind of want to, don’t we? I mean we’re readers, we love the written word, we’re better than all that? Maybe that’s me and my ridiculous naivete.
Anyway… also great advice about contacting the host. Not sure everyone knows about that.
The problem with all these wonderful steps, of course, is that when emotion is involved most sense flies right out the window. From a victim’s point of view it’s hard to remain silent when someone does “a bad thing.” It’s hard to forgive someone their “tresspasses” when you feel victimized.
It’s harder to be the “bigger” person when you’ve been wronged so egregiously. And it’s hard not to want to open up to trusted friends. Because going through things alone is just too hard when you feel beaten down, demoralized, victimized.
But I think your advice is the right way to approach things from both sides. And I think both sides should always take a step back before reacting. Of course sometimes delays in response will be seen as “non” responses and that could further enflame the situation.
Arrgggh. I’ll just shut it now. I’ve gone way off point. Sorry for the comment vomit. Again. Feel free to delete.
Hey Rachel–this is such a great and helpful post. It is a shame that this continues to happen, but hopefully as bloggers become more aware of this issue, we’ll see less of it–or at least, people will be better able to handle it if it happens to them.
My plagiarist stole from me and other reviewers for over a year. I’m lucky that my situation turned out as best as could be expected, but many others are not so fortunate.
I was just reading up on your image theft situation, too. That certainly did not sound accidental–and kudos to you for working quickly to take action. And so…creatively, too.
claps hands for this post
Dislike that this has been rampant with the blogosphere
I agree with keeping it private
As always, great post..level-headed and informative. Emotions run high when plagiarism happens, but I think few of us would really know how to handle the situation without public drama.
Another Great Post! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this informative post Rachel! While posting someone else’s image on your site is wrong, it’s forgivable if you’re a new blogger or under a rock when it comes to copyright infringement. It’s a different story when bloggers lack creativity and passion when it comes to writing their own reviews and take it upon themselves to plagiarize someone else’s written work. I think confronting the issue privately like you did is the best way to go. Who needs the drama when you’ve got books to read?!
Well said! I do graphic design for an Internet Company and there are people that never understand why we cannot use certain images for certain things. ‘Editing’ an image does not make it yours.
I applaud this, particularly the part about common misconceptions. You do a great job in trying to educate the community about this.
This is one of the best posts I’ve ever read on this subject. It’s very had to be the victim of this no matter how big or small the blog is. I think people don’t realize how much time goes into a post or even writing a review. My mother once told me there are no shortcuts in life. Sometimes the only thing we have is our reputations. I for one don’t look at reviews of books I’m going to be writing reviews on.
Grace
I think this is an awesome post!! With all the crap going on in the blogging world I think we all needed this little reminder. I am a small blog and until all this stuff came out I never even thought about plagiarism. I don’t know if anyone has plagiarized me and I am not sure I want to know. Part of me wants to keep my head in the sand and live in my little bubble of naivety! I know I can’t forever but I want to keep my nice blogging world happy!
I really think your suggestions for how to handle this are great. I will never understand why the blogger who plagiarized won’t just own up to it and take the content down. It is so frustrating to see this happen. There are so many good and hard working bloggers out there that put their heart and soul into their blogs and it sucks to see them get victimized. I guess I just don’t understand some people!
Thanks for this post Rachel!
Wow! Totally great advice & educational information. Thank you for always helping us understand things we don’t always think about! Eek I sure hope I haven’t done any of those unknowingly! >_<
I’m alway thankful for your BB101 post. Always good stuff
I while back I started to think about the audio books samples I post on my blog, so I asked my husband to asked a lawyer friend of the family about the legality. He explained the under, can’t remember the code now, you can do it as long as you are not claiming it as your own work, and you are reviewing the product. He said that the same goes for a quote, if you are using it to critique the grammar or improper or proper use of the language, or again, reviewing the product, but you always have to give credit to the owner.
Ah! And thanks to you, I always use Grammarly to check all my post for plagiarism before I publish. Unfortunately even grammarly won’t help me 100% with the correct gramma..LOL…English is bitch…LOL
I read in one of the don’t above where you said you can’t link to a post… really?? That is plagiarizing too? Yeesh!
Hey, another great post! I had the same question as the one you posted here, actually, because there are really a lot of bloggers, and if we have the same opinion on a book, it may be construed as “plagiarism”. Honestly, what I do is just read the title and ratings when I see reviews of books I haven’t read yet, and steer away from reading reviews of others, unless I already read the book. I know it’s not the best thing to do for book blogging, but I do want to steer clear of any issues. It seems like such a nasty business…
I didn’t know song lyrics are not allowed! After all, there are a lot of websites posting the lyrics. Why aren’t they allowed? :/ So that’s why my favorite lyrics site has been erasing their content lately…
Thank you for this! Plagiarism sucks and it makes me really sad that the book blogging world seems to be plagued by it. As book lovers, aren’t we in love with words and wouldn’t that mean that we have higher respect for the words of ourselves and others? It just seems really counterintuitive…
Another great post. Thanks for writing it.
I find that in many cases, taking it public isn’t necessary so I really like your advice here.
I’ve tried very hard not to support plagiarists, but I haven’t contacted the advertisers. I know in the case of TSS, it pisses me off that publishers don’t seem to care about what she did or how flippant she was about it. I think I will contact them, even if nothing comes of it.
Be careful if you’re out at Mardi Gras this week.
Really awesome post! You did a wonderful job of putting together a lot of information in a way that was neither overwhelming nor boring. I really loved the Common Misconceptions list.
PS. I really like that I was able to email this post to myself. It will make it easier for me to remember to link back to it when I make a list of my favorite recent posts
Great post as always…It just boggles my mind though that some people just don’t “get” it. We all work so hard on our blogs…why do people think that taking a shortcut and stealing someone else’s work is no big deal!