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so I'm just curious...is it really fair to copy and paste a whole long article from another website and post it in the forum as your own? This isn't about anyone in particular because I have seen a few people do it.

Lol, I wouldn't say it's fair to claim it at your own.

Only if you name the original author and/or add a link to the original article

that's kinda what I was thinking...or sum it up in your own words and add a link for more info

I really don't know but I think it would depend on how you or the person how gets the info sees it.

If they say from where they found the info I see nothing wrong with it,but to say it's your own that is plagiarizing.

would you consider not saying anything about it at all..just opening a post, hitting copy an dpaste and sending it out as claiming it as your own?

That's why certain threads get RIA'd cause the threader doesn't state where s/he got the info.

Plagiarism is illegal. You cannot claim someone else's work as your own. I don't find it that difficult to reference the author and source.

that's why I started this thread...a gentle non accusitory reminder to some of the people who do it...

I agree with the previous post as long as the person states where they got it from it ok to use it

Personaly I use the internet to study stuff that I want to know about...I then make my own summary of what I have learned after cross referencing the material.

I usualy get permission from the person before using their material. If in fact I actualy do so...

I would never copy and paste a full article from another person...Not only do i deem this rude but it is very insulting at the same time.

I know after working on stuff in the past and someone else leaching it without permission, I felt really offended by this. If the person haad asked me I would of said yes you can use the material

Example of this I am working on something now that i hope to update my profile with and also use as an article here...However as it concentrates on one person who is still living and this is his actual work that he dedicated time on..I am also trying to arrange that I talk to him and get his personal insight on the matter.

I will also show him my material that I have been working on, from reading his books on the subject. Asking for his approval to add the article to this site as well as some others I use.

sounds very considerate mear

Well copying an article off another site/author and claiming it as your own is just plain and simple plagiarism... aka illegal.

The way I see it, when someone just copies and pastes someone else's article wordly, without saying who wrote it, is already plagiarism, cause when you don't state where it's from people will often assume it is yours.

well the only way i see that it would be ok is if you got permission for using or you summarized it. i know from personal experience that when you get copied off of and someone claims it as their own it can start alot of legal issues.

It is not only illegeal, it's evidence for the inability to express matters on your own. I've seen it a lot (not only on here), and what hits me hardest is that people don't seem to realize it oftentimes. I once commented it, and the 'author' of the text rated me 1. Poor soul.

If the person is not lazy to copy and paste the whole article then he/she should copy and paste the link as well or say by who or from where.

It doesn't take long.

But most do it cause they like to see their names written in the Forum anyway.

In my opinion anyone who wordly copies off someone else's work without stating who wrote it and where they found it, is stealing. In my opinion anyone who does not want to reveal who really wrote it does this on purpose, with the sole intent and hopes others will not realise and give them praise for it.

And yes true, it's not just illegal, it's kind of sad really. xD

I totaly agree...Being a artist as a hobby I often do my own depictation of other artists characters, but when i do this I always state that I am NOT the original artist and that this is only how I interprid the character myself....I always make sure that I change it considerably from the original artists as well.

This way I am never faced with copyright issues... As even though i never painted the original, I never state my work as the original, nor is it for sale.

I agree. If you 'use' someone else's work either as inspiration, example, etc, it is no problem as long as you make it clear who made the original work.

I have the same thing with my graphics and drawings. I seriously hate it when someone uses my work without crediting me for it.
That's not cause I'm that vain or selvish or anything, but I do take pride in my work. My drawings take me a lot of time and effort (and often headaches from staring at the screen so concentrated lol) to get them to the point where I'm pleased with them, it's just insulting and hurting even when someone else would just take it like that.

On the other hand when someone asks me first if they can use it, or if I could make them something custom, I don't mind at all. As long as my name will be right there with it, as they're kind of like my babies, yes I'm proud of my work as everyone should be of their own accomplishements.

Lol in artschool I was thaught "Copying without crediting or editing = stealing, copying and editing, giving it your own twist = learning"
It's something I still live by, no matter what is the subject.
The less you edit and change, the more credit should go to the original creator.

And I think that still one should always include who or what inspired them to write, draw, etc, whatever it is they made.
It's just common decency.

It's ILEGAL

0_o;
caps scare me..

well if u claim it as ur own, means u dont have the creative mind to make ur own

Copy and paste saves a lot of time...on the other hand, it is fair to name the reference or at least poast something that can tell you weren`t the author of the article...

i agree it is illegal lol

lol, indeed. So those of you out there copying and pasting articles without any kind of credit to the author or original thoughts about it of your own....STOP IT

I agree it should state the author o the article

Since there are a great deal of creative, and original people here at the site, I think it would be good for us all to look for one another, in case these indidviduals you speak of look within for some ideas. Plus, we could always keep our eyes open where it seems someone has performed an act of plagerism, and investigate further. Nothing invasive, or rude mind you. It's still a friendly site remember!

To me It's Stealing...Unless You Know the Person And He or She said It was Ok to Use it

As long as in the first and last line of the text you relate to the original source of the information it's alright, it's only stealing if you don't and post it as your own.

no it isnt fair that is why you have to put where u got the artical from

That's exactly what I meant with "relating to the original source in the first and last line of the text"

As long as you state the original author and where you got it from I don't see a problem.

never claim someone elses hard work as your own. always give them credit

as everyone has already stated, as long as you give credit where credit is do and as long as it isnt copyrighted, i dont see whats wrong with sharing info you have come across with people who might enjoy it

as long as you tell us its not your own work, it would be fine.

You know something!!?
I would be really impressed if someone did a whole original work, and then listed in proper syntax all the works they cited to put it together. Just like a college essay!

(including the article, pg #'s, author, editor, website url, full date, and everything)

My stance on this topic is if you post the original authors name and source of where you got it it's fine to post .Getting their actual consent would be better,but as long as you state who and where you got the info from it is fine.

If I catch people posting an entire article or even parts and not giving credit to original author I will shut down threads with said stuff in it.I have done so before and won't hesitate to do it again as often as it needs done.I believe the other staff on here feels the same way.Plagerism is wrong and can end up in liable suits if caught by original author/owner of article/materials being used illegally.