Hello everyone! I have been self battling over long period about this topic. It's high time now that I think I should do this. So let me start with one question to all of you. What do you think about reason behind stealing someone's hard work, labelling it under their name and getting appreciation? What kind of satisfaction it gives?
No, I seriously want to know because recently I came across people on IF copying stories of other writers from one forum to another forum without their permissions, without crediting original writer and not even once mentioning in post about it being other's work. I'm not going to mention names because list is long. It's not about one or two the number of fictions being copied is unbelievable. Just because writer sometimes not put tag of DO NOT COPY gives permission to one of plagiarism. It's not happening on IF only, some steal it from IF and post on wattpad, face book under tag of their names.
Is it that hard to understand that how hurt original writer will feel after knowing his/her work is stolen? It takes alot for writer to write one story. It's all what they have for expressing their thoughts, ideas, creativity, talent and what now. They live their stories. The writer actually experience firstly, visualize everything in mind and just like that someday some random insensitive person appears from somewhere and without thinking about anything feel free to copy it. How amazing?
Fearing about their work being plagiarized many beautiful stories have been removed or discontinued. Writers think many times before posting their work because of this.
As a reader I feel it's my responsibility to stand against this, which I will be continuing in future too. But don't you think it's yours too? If you are reading stories and found it plagiarised then it's sincere request do not ignore it or don't feel it's not your job to take pain of raising your voice against it. Because you owe, that much to original writer. Every writer does not go for taking copyright of their story. We readers have to take initiative because steps are being taken against this; we just have to bring it into light.
Many of you will have doubt about how to find about story is original or plagiarised then simple take at maximum 32 words of story you are reading excluding character's name and search it in Google it will show all links, original along with plagiarised one you just have to take little effort of checking who posted story first that is who is original author and who is plagiarised one.
I agree benefit of doubt should be given if it's for first time. Not for number of times as mistakes happens once, twice or thrice not for uncountable times.
Few terms and clarification of some doubts:
Plagiarism is the "wrongful appropriation" and "stealing and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions" and the representation of them as one's own original work.
Copyright infringement is the use of works protected by copyright law without permission, infringing certain exclusive rights granted to the copyright holder, such as the right to reproduce, distribute, display or perform the protected work, or to make derivative works.
Plagiarism is morally wrong and injustice to original writer and not crime where as copyright infringement is crime and liable for legal action.
PENALTY FOR PLAGIARIZING ON IF
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLOT AND CONCEPT
Few questions, when people write they are inspired from a particular story to what extent it can be an inspiration?
1. A particular scene from a movie or a book then a new story is built up?
2. Entire concept of a story or a movie entirely redone?
3. Will it be called as a plagiarism if the entire concept remains the same without any innovation?
4. If some scenes are copied ditto.
Answers to above questions:
1- Inspiration is when you see something/experience something and are inspired to create something from it. Fan Fiction comes under inspiration. When you see a scene from a movie, and base a WHOLE NEW STORY, it is inspiration.
2- In the second case - when you tweak the plot of a story, it is plagiarism. Why? Cause you are not actually creating something. It's like stealing a diamond necklace from somebody, and replacing one of the diamonds with a ruby. I hope you get what I mean - To give you another example - let's say I steal an umbrella from somebody. I come home, and color the umbrella red. It doesn't change the fact that I stole it.
3- There is a huge difference between concept and plot. Concept is me saying "the concept of my story is that Khushi has an accident, and suffers from amnesia ... and Arnav helps her regain her memory." That is the concept of your story. Plot is me saying - "okay so Khushi has a motorbike accident, Arnav rushes to the hospital, khushi doesn't recognize him, Arnav is traumatized, then he meets doctors who tell him Khushi's memory can be bought back, then he swears to bring Khushi's memory back, she gets discharged from the hospital and blah blah blah blah. Somebody writing an entirely different plotline ON THE CONCEPT of K losing her memory and A helping her recovering it cannot be counted as plagiarism. Somebody taking my entire PLOT and writing the story is plagiarism.
4- A disclaimer should be provided, else it counts as plagiarism.
This is answers provided by @ vfordonkey on being asked above questions. I am just putting here If anyone finds it difficult to reach through link provided.
So guys I request you to just be little careful while reading and try to take stand against this if you feel to stop plagiarism. If you find stories being stolen then do complain to moderators and convey it to original writer. They are going to take actions after checking everything what we need to do is bring that thing in light. It's not about stories on this forum only; I am talking about every forum. Do tell your friends and spread this. Because when we will be aware and united we can stop those who do not value someone's hard work. Those people, who think they can happily plagiarise and no one will notice, need to know they can't escape that easily. I do not mean to go for online bullying but they should know the consequences and in future should think before doing this thing. I repeat benefit of doubt can be given when it's not repetitive.
THIS POST IS NOT MEANT TO HURT ANYONE, I MAKING THIS BECAUSE I'M HURT. I VALUE WHAT I READ AND THINK SOME OF YOU TOO FEEL SAME WAY...
FEEL FREE TO DROP YOUR THOUGHTS AND EVEN CAN POINT OUT IF I'M WRONG IN DOING THIS...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
