Plagiarization

[akanechan]

I've only plagiarized a paragraph for a school essay. Hey, it had very useful information. <.<

However, for fanfiction, nope. Never. I don't see the point in taking credit of someone else's work rather than enjoying it. Plain ridiculous. :/

The only reason I've seen people doing it is because they crave attention. Which is also ridiculous, since why not they just open up Microsoft Word, work hard, and actually get the good attention that they deserve.

[fairlane]

I can't see how there would be any satisfaction in claiming credit for something someone else wrote. Even if it didn't get noticed, whats the point?

It hasn't happened to me, but if it did I would do what the writer you mention has done and ask for it to be removed.

[latch22]

That's exactly what it is: stealing. And you're right, Artemis. They saw something that worked, and they were too lazy to write something of their own, but they wanted a big ego trip in the form of feedback.

It is a shame, really. The whole situation is so stupid. I don't want to drop names, so I won't, but I think that she--the plagiarized writer in question--is handling it well.

[latch22]

The story has been reposted.

Here's the kicker, though: they only did so, I think, to erase the comments from both myself and mars. They did not change the chapter, but they do have an extended A/N claiming that they changed some words, and that they contacted the author--and they gave her name this time--but that they are waiting for a reply.

If they are waiting for a reply, then I don't understand why they would post it already. That's absurd. Perhaps they're impatient... but I find that to be a poor excuse.

[latch22]

Okay, they changed their A/N. It now says that they liked the story and it is what inspired them to write their own story in the first place. (Technically speaking, however, they did *not* "write" their own story...) They wanted to write something similar, but they claim to have reworded it so that it will not be confused with the original story... even if, you know, they stole the plot, too.

[akanechan]

latch22 said:

Okay, they changed their A/N. It now says that they liked the story and it is what inspired them to write their own story in the first place. (Technically speaking, however, they did *not* "write" their own story...) They wanted to write something similar, but they claim to have reworded it so that it will not be confused with the original story... even if, you know, they stole the plot, too.

Hmm, the way I see it, they saw the plot was very interesting and wanted to write it themselves.

Though I see it stupid, considering why take someone else's idea? Perhaps make a bit similar...

[Keira]

I don't know that I've ever been out right plagerized, because a lot of people don't know my work so much anymore, but I've had a couple of people tell me in the past that my work "inspired" them to write something of their own. I thought, "Wow, great! I must be doing something right then!" and of course when I went to read the story I inspired them to write, it left me seething because they basically took my ideas, changed a few aspects, names, and slight situations, and made their own story.

But when it comes down to it - I just throw my hands in the air and say, 'Whatever. If they are that desperate for a story, I just pity them.' Besides, in my opinion - whether or not it's my story - nothing is ever as good as the original. No one likes a copy/fake out. They just aren't that good.

[Tensleep]

You know, there are perks to being out of the loop. If I am being plagiarized, I have no knowledge of it.

However, I would not appreciate being used like that. I would write them a very well worded e-mail. If I was ignored, then I would follow it up by taking matters into my own hands.

You know, I find most people on ff.net courteous about that kind of thing. I get e-mails all the time asking to borrow a character. However, the majority of these have been from the same person who is a slash nut...Yeah, the main reason you don't see my characters anywhere. Well, Pepsi makes an appearance in Catherine Ace's Operation Zodiac and Keira has been offered a few.

But like I said, completely oblivious otherwise. I find I'm happier being this way.

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[Keira]

I tried to find that story you guys were talking about, and perhaps I'm just blind, but I think it may have been taken down now. I searched for a good ten-fifteen minutes and never found it. Thanks, Latch, for helping me though I was very curious about which story was actually being mentioned, but didn't exactly want to have it named in the thread - I appreciate those of you who kept the title unmentioned.

[Keira]

Oh, I found it. I always forget to change that rating thing (I wish they'd give you the option of just showing all the stories without needing to specify it every time. I gave y'all a little help and reported the abuse as well. I think that's very interesting people assume they have some sort of right to borrow a chapter from another fanfic story - it's completely different than borrowing The Outsiders, seeing as Susie has given permission for the use of her story and character on the site. But taking from another fanfic author... even if she means it all in flattery, that's still pretty low.

I remember about five or six years ago in the Harry Potter section on ffn, there was this author who had an immensely well liked story that had thousands of reviews it was so good. It wasn't my cuppa, so I never read it myself, but I remember one day there was a huge uproar because one smart, well-educated reviewer recognized the entire story as being that of a published author, with merely the names of the characters, places, and objects changed. They even posted a review with an excerpt of both the fanfic and the actual book side by side, and it was word for word the same, minus the names. Needless to say, the author was in big trouble for that one. Lol.

[maxiekat]

admin said:

.

I remember about five or six years ago in the Harry Potter section on ffn, there was this author who had an immensely well liked story that had thousands of reviews it was so good. It wasn't my cuppa, so I never read it myself, but I remember one day there was a huge uproar because one smart, well-educated reviewer recognized the entire story as being that of a published author, with merely the names of the characters, places, and objects changed. They even posted a review with an excerpt of both the fanfic and the actual book side by side, and it was word for word the same, minus the names. Needless to say, the author was in big trouble for that one. Lol.

This author is now published, believe it or not. I won't say her name, but she has a Young Adult fantasy novel that came out earlier this year that several people I know loved. We've sold a ton of it at my store and it's very well liked.

I looked her up and saw that she used to write fanfiction. Through some googling the story about her plagiarizing for Harry Potter stories came up pretty quickly. Apparently, she liked to reference pop culture a lot - Buffy, Star Wars, etc - and lifted quotes from those sources and put them in her work without directly citing them. That didn't sit well with everyone, but the real kicker was when it was discovered that she had lifted passages from a long out of print fantasy novel and passed it off as her own work.

There is also a well known incident in the publishing world of romance author Janet Dailey, who used to be extremely popular and even had an award named after her. Well, several years ago it was discovered that in her newer novels she had begun plagiarizing Nora Roberts. Not the brightest thing in the world to do since Nora Roberts is one of the largest selling writers in the world and it was inevitable that she would get caught.

[fosterchild]

People are nuts!!! Hard to imagine a well known author found plagiarizing! Even harder to imagine that she would be so well sold....

If you can't formulate your own stories you shouldn't be writing. Plain and simple. It's one thing to be inspired by someone's work (Lord knows so many of you inspire me all the time) but to out and out take it and put your name on it?! Crazy!

[Tensleep]

maxiekat said:

There is also a well known incident in the publishing world of romance author Janet Dailey, who used to be extremely popular and even had an award named after her. Well, several years ago it was discovered that in her newer novels she had begun plagiarizing Nora Roberts. Not the brightest thing in the world to do since Nora Roberts is one of the largest selling writers in the world and it was inevitable that she would get caught.

Dude...seriously? Man, and I liked Janet Dailey. One of the few good Cowboy romance authors out there. Is there no shame anymore?

[maxiekat]

Dude...seriously? Man, and I liked Janet Dailey. One of the few good Cowboy romance authors out there. Is there no shame anymore?

It happened 10 years ago. Here's the link to a report on it: www.likesbooks.com/30.html

Her new stuff is apparently free of plagarism. I'm sure she's watched carefully now.

Also - I know what you mean about good cowboy romances, lol. All my favorites have moved to other genres and it's frustrating. If you ever want any suggestions, let me know.

[Keira]

maxiekat said:

This author is now published, believe it or not. I won't say her name, but she has a Young Adult fantasy novel that came out earlier this year that several people I know loved. We've sold a ton of it at my store and it's very well liked.

Wow, I just looked her up (I still remember her ffn name to this day) and you're right. That's so bizarre. She has an entire page on Wikipedia fanhistory (my bad - it just looks almost idenitcal to wikipedia, lol) devoted to her plagarism. How sad is that? I'm sure her novel is very good though. She was an exceptionally good author when she was using her own work, lol.