Plagiarism....we're all guilty

[lovecraft68]

Don't think you are? Think again, the proof is right here.

 

[NotWise]

Damn. My secret's out!

 

[Alice_Rosaleen]

I once had a Philosophy professor with a background in law who called out the University's plagiarism rules as being vague to the point of unenforceable unless you really messed up. And since it was a course on aesthetics, he proceeded to go through the history of Western art as being filled with forgers and copycats since day one.
I like to sneak in song lyrics and see who, if anyone, will find them. Every part of my Ink series was inspired by a different song or artist, with a couple of lines from each worked in.

 

[lovecraft68]

I once had a Philosophy professor with a background in law who called out the University's plagiarism rules as being vague to the point of unenforceable unless you really messed up. And since it was a course on aesthetics, he proceeded to go through the history of Western art as being filled with forgers and copycats since day one.
I like to sneak in song lyrics and see who, if anyone, will find them. Every part of my Ink series was inspired by a different song or artist, with a couple of lines from each worked in.

I think when it comes to lyrics you can use a line or two with no issue, but the entire thing will get you in trouble.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Not me, mate - don't use that dictionary. Mine's blue. Electric blue.

 

[Alice_Rosaleen]

Not me, mate - don't use that dictionary. Mine's blue. Electric blue.

I'm so confused- I don't know how to sing your Electric Blues.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'm so confused- I don't know how to sing your Electric Blues.

Don't let him fool you, he's more acoustic than electric

 

[oggbashan]

I get my words from Roget - and Shakespeare.

 

[jehoram]

I had to go to Google for this quote, but I found it. it's by Gene Fowler:

"The best way to become a successful writer is to read good writing, remember it, and then forget where you remember it from."

 

[MelissaBaby]

I think when it comes to lyrics you can use a line or two with no issue, but the entire thing will get you in trouble.

I have used whole songs, or substantial parts of songs, and put a copyright notice at the end of the story. Laurel has always accepted it. Any legal jeopardy would fall on her as the publisher. So, I don't know the nuances of the law, but I've gotten away with it several times.

 

[lovecraft68]

I have used whole songs, or substantial parts of songs, and put a copyright notice at the end of the story. Laurel has always accepted it. Any legal jeopardy would fall on her as the publisher. So, I don't know the nuances of the law, but I've gotten away with it several times.

I'm not talking trouble here, here is different you're not making any money. I'm talking if you publish something for $$$ and use too much of a song it can get you in trouble if its found out.

 

[Alice_Rosaleen]

I've just used a line or two, like "So you can make me cum, that doesn't make you Jesus", from a Tori Amos song, or "He's the whirlwind in the thorn tree and it's hard for me to kick against the pricks", loosely taken from a Johnny Cash song. I'd still like to work in "We can share the women, we can share the wine," from my favorite Grateful Dead song. Someday.

 

[KindofHere]

...............

 

[Alice_Rosaleen]

I'm friends with a guy who practices copyright law and he's fairly successful at making his clients money. So maybe it's about knowing when you need a lawyer and how to find one that won't screw you over.

 

[KindofHere]

...........

 

[Tio_Narratore]

I'm friends with a guy who practices copyright law and he's fairly successful at making his clients money. So maybe it's about knowing when you need a lawyer and how to find one that won't screw you over.

If you don't mind him screwing other people over...

Common or obvious phrases cannot be subject to copyright. Fox News found this out rather specifically when they tried to trademark "Fair and Balanced." Using distinctive phrases, or whole selections of writing, may get you into legal trouble if someone notices, but here also it's not so cut and dried.

A major consideration in plagiarism/infringement cases is the purpose of the use. If you are, in fact, using the selection to make money or as your own, then you're doomed. Speaking academically, however, we can "copy" other people's work if we are analyzing or interpreting it, and need to present the words in question or to support an argument we may be making, provided, and this is crucial, we adequately cite it.

In short, if you quote from, say Umberto Eco's "Numero Zero," to discuss it, there's no problem. But if you decide to start your work with "Here's a story I really enjoyed," and then proceed to reprint the whole of "Numero Zero," you are guilty.

 

[Alice_Rosaleen]

I just meant this particular person I know has clients who are more successful than him- partially because of his help. And in the cases he works (which aren't always copyright, patent or IP related) it's about finding what the spirit of the law is meant to protect, not screwing anyone over. Corrupt legal systems benefit more financially than the people they're meant to serve. The two lawyers I know are ethical, stand-out gentleman- and one is the best Game Master I've ever had. Not saying it's the rule, just that I know some exceptions.
I've never needed a lawyer either, but I supposedly have a get-out-of-jail-free card if I ever do .

 

[Tio_Narratore]

I just meant this particular person I know has clients who are more successful than him- partially because of his help. And in the cases he works (which aren't always copyright, patent or IP related) it's about finding what the spirit of the law is meant to protect, not screwing anyone over. Corrupt legal systems benefit more financially than the people they're meant to serve. The two lawyers I know are ethical, stand-out gentleman- and one is the best Game Master I've ever had. Not saying it's the rule, just that I know some exceptions.
I've never needed a lawyer either, but I supposedly have a get-out-of-jail-free card if I ever do .

You have a tape of POTUS in Moscow?

 

[MelissaBaby]

I'm not talking trouble here, here is different you're not making any money. I'm talking if you publish something for $$$ and use too much of a song it can get you in trouble if its found out.

They can take me for everything I've got. Then spend it at Dairy Queen. If they don't spurge.

 

[TxRad]

So much for my box set book. One hundred thousand words in a box. Some assembly required.

 

[lovecraft68]

They can take me for everything I've got. Then spend it at Dairy Queen. If they don't spurge.

Dairy Queen? You're rolling in it, they'd be buying gumballs with mine

 

[lovecraft68]

So much for my box set book. One hundred thousand words in a box. Some assembly required.

Imagine it as a puzzle?


There Their and They're are all shaped the same, which one is supposed to fit here/hear/hare?

 

[Oblimo]

All of my work is Klingon erotic opera written in the Pre-Incident Praxis dialect I devised myself.

 

[Tio_Narratore]

All of my work is Klingon erotic opera written in the Pre-Incident Praxis dialect I devised myself.

I've heard one. Who was your composer? I'm incredibly impressed by her use of a duodecatronic arrythmial structure for the Overture!

 

[ChloeTzang]

So much for my box set book. One hundred thousand words in a box. Some assembly required.

Isn't that what the monkeys are for?