She should be suspended.
Plagiarism is the fondest form of flattery. Is that the saying? I think it’s actually supposed to be “imitation,” but that’s pretty close. I will tell you though, that in reality it makes you sweat. It makes you feel ill. It makes you shake to have someone flatter you in this way.
My husband has stumbled upon a post written by someone in which they have directly stolen my writing, VERBATIM. And it’s a person who gets paid to write; they got paid for this post of theirs (MINE). I’ve left a message for the editor of this website and am now waiting. I don’t know what else to do.
When I was a teacher, if a student plagiarized work and passed it off as their own it was considered an extremely serious offense. What happens here? Will she be suspended? Will she have to write an essay? Will we be calling her parents? Sometimes we asked the student what they thought an appropriate consequence would be.
What do you think it should be, J.H.?
Labels: Tales
Oh, this is a huge offense in blog land! It should definitely be reported! I’ve heard of it happening and have never seen any posts of mine stolen, but would be doing something about it if so!
Steph
Comment by Adventures In Babywearing — March 7, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Unbelievable! You might put a copyright notice on your blog (or maybe you already have one)? Can you post a comment on their post for others to see? I would be livid. At the uni where I used to teach, plagiarism in any form was grounds for expulsion.
Comment by Lynanne — March 7, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
Appalling!!! What a lack of respect. Some people have no problem taking credit for someone else’s words and thoughts. You are probably not the only person she has stolen from.
Comment by jaybee4000 — March 8, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
WOW. that’s just sad. and so wrong. SO wrong.
i worked for a blog network for a while (content quake) and the had VERY strong verbiage in the contract about plagiarizing and how little it would be tolerated. so, hopefully if this person is getting paid to blog, the people paying her/him will not keep her/him on staff.
you write great posts, but stealing them is just pathetic.
Comment by kate — March 8, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
This is beyond excusable. Far, far beyond. If you had said something in a post in just the right way that would add to her post content… then a link (with YOUR permission if she is being remunerated for her post), or a quote and a link, or SOMETHING professional would be in order.
But this is lifting from you in one whole piece? I notice that you do not post a link to the offender. Wise of you. We all tend to get pretty grumpy about this sort of thing, and I have seen some rather nasty internet lynchings in the past.
The part that really scalds, is she GOT PAID. She STOLE, not just for glory, but for financial gain. Ew.
Comment by bon — March 9, 2008 @ 11:43 am
That’s awful! Borrowing an idea to expand on it is one thing (especially if there is some linky love back to your idea in return) but lifting an entire post with no original thought is wrong!
Now I want to know who it is, just to see if this person has stolen from anyone else, too.
Comment by Christina — March 9, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
[…] for those of you waiting for an update on this, they’re pulling her blog off of their website, the whole thing. So I’m a whole lotta […]
Pingback by Total Mom Haircut » What’d He Say Monday? — March 10, 2008 @ 9:12 am
Wow! I can’t believe that. Well, I can. You are amazing, I can see why someone would have the urge to pretend they could write as well. But sheesh. That’s crazy.
Comment by Mama D — March 10, 2008 @ 10:02 am
While I don’t write well enough to be ripped off, I have been copied in other ways and it makes me way more mad than it probably should. So I can’t imagine the emotion you must have felt when you read that! Unbelievable..
And what an amazing coincidence that you caught it, I hope the person is punished (and very ashamed).
Comment by Jamie — March 10, 2008 @ 11:20 am
Holy cow!
It’s happened to me, too. The thing that REALLY hurt about it, beside the obvious, was that it was a post about my first miscarriage. The woman who stole it claimed to be miscarrying, using my words. Talk about twisting the knife. A photo of Beatrix was stolen as well. The woman was claiming she was HER newborn daughter.
I am happy the plagiarist was caught—what an amazing coincidence. I’m dying to know who and where, but I understand you can’t share something like that here.
Comment by gretchen from lifenut — March 10, 2008 @ 11:41 am
A good scandal is like an accident you can’t look away from. Good for you for rising above and not posting her link. Dude! what a totally crappy feeling. Like someone broke into your house and stole stuff.
Comment by jd — March 12, 2008 @ 12:03 am
[…] just wanted to add, for those of you waiting for an update on this fiasco, that the blog has finally been removed from the website (after several weeks, several phone calls, […]
Pingback by Total Mom Haircut » Haiku Friday - Sick Day — April 4, 2008 @ 10:10 am