Support Doe Eyes & all victims of plagiarism! - Page 6

I am an ardent reader of many FFs in IF, written by very talented writers. But recently, I have been reallly really disappointed by the current issue of plagiarism. Like someone rightly pointed out, this case of plagiarism affects writers and readers alike. Many of the brilliant works I used to read or I wish to read have been moved to private blogs. There are so many FFs that I probably can never read now since they are restricted and their writers dont have enough trust in any new readers to provide them access. Many of the writers have even stopped writing. Frankly, I dont blame them.

I am suffering badly because of this, as a reader. I cant even begin to imagine how disgusted the writers would be.
Seriously, I have no idea how this can be stopped except that I can report the sites wherever possible. But with the current scenario - I dont think it would make much of a difference.
The people who are responsible for this should really understand that they're ruining and copying someone's hardwork. Its not cool, its gross.

Originally posted by: CravingKhana

Hey Lali

I believe this is the first time I have seen you make a post...incensed into doing so is the sad part...

while i have been really divided by this topic..in this particular case it is blatant copying and I did go to the website in question and also addressed the issue to the admin.

The site seems to be endeavoring to bring change in the world of publishing which is potentially a benefit to writers like doe eyes if ever the want to in the near future ...so its a shame that the said person is abusing that too (double whamy)

I am not sure however how IF can help...even the do not copy etc cannot do anything to prevent someone who has the intention...may be just deter the half hearted.

Plagiarism is nothing new ...it is as old as writing itself...and my guess is it will continue to be so...

"I know one thing--that a certain amount of pride always goes along with a teaspoonful of brains, and that this pride protects a man from deliberately stealing other people's ideas" (sic)

"Unconscious appropriation is utterly common; it is not plagiarism and is no crime; but conscious appropriation, i. e., plagiarism, is as rare as parricide. Of course there are plagiarists in the world--I am not disputing that--but bless you, they are few and far between."

both quotes from Mark Twain that clearly put forth my current take on the topic way better than I can...

What i will say is that Unfortunately the only way to fight this is to hope that those who choose to do it will let their better self prevail...and to also think that the authors they choose to plagiarise from are the people they seem to be looking up to and in doing so are being very hurtful to the very same people and in all causing injury to the fiction itself.

Thanks for your support, Tangs. And the very valid comments.
Being in the academia, I am very acutely aware of plagiarism and the grey areas one straddles especially in academic writing. And the constant warnings and elaborate guidance that we give students about the dangers of plagiarism and the strategies to avoid it. Nevertheless, there is the question of what is plagiariasm, as you ask. Is it the idea, which no one really has a copyright to or is it the appropriating of parts or whole of the actual work? Many a famous writer has fallen prey to this or been accused of it. So I absolutely take your point.

However, this was a total taking over of the whole work, making it a complete appropriation, which to me has gone beyond the grey areas or the borderlines It was blatant thievery in my eyes. While I would have joined in any protest supporting any writer who fell victim to it, in this case, the writer is very special and close to my heart, though my only acquaintance with her is through her stories and a few pms of appreciation I have sent her.

To say that I was incensed is to say the least, I felt someone had assaulted this young and talented writer, and also me as a reader, hence the spirited condemnation of the plagiarist.

Looking at the responses to this post, I can see a lot of people condemn this act. I am very touched that so many people joined me in this condemnation with their posts.

Thank you everyone for joining me in condemning this act of plagiarism and for showing your solidarity with all writers.
All's well that ends well, to quote the very famous Shakespeare (who himself has been accused ot nabbing other people's ideas!! Ha, ha), the Scribd moderators have removed the offending person's post.
Hurrah for us, this is no small victory in our battle against plagiarism.

Thank you all for your posts. Much appreciated.👏