I just got PLAGIARIZED!!!

[mlyn]

And boy did it suck!!!

Luckily a fan/friend (dear friend) sent me email that my story Prenuptial Visit was on EroticStories.com.

I went and looked and what do you know... it was exactly the same, including the lead in sentence as the first 4 parts of my story here, except he change the two main characters first names only. It had been submitted by someone called Bear... who had another story there as well.

I felt violated.

I wrote to ES.com and within 2 hours had an email back that he had removed the story. I told him my email that I had the emails saved that proved how we had created the story, if he needed proof. But, damn! It felt really awful.

Has it happened to anyone else?

 

[Weird Harold]

I wrote to ES.com and within 2 hours had an email back that he had removed the story. ....

Has it happened to anyone else?

Art, the webmaster at EroticStories.com, is like Laurel and Manu in that he has little patience with plagiarists.

Plagiarism is, unfortunately, rampant on the internet. I encountered three stories by Hullo_nurse on ASSTR.ORG that were posted by "Editors@Allme.com." I e-mailed her to ask if she knew her stories were being used at Allme.com and was not particularly surprised to find out they were using her stories without permission.

I see a lot of stories duplicated on various sites. Usually they're posted by the authors, but far too many are stolen stories.

 

[alltherage]

Is there some technical way to prevent the download of a story off the sight? Allot of the work here is very high quality and the writers of such work ought to be protected in some way.

 

[Weird Harold]

Nope

In order for the site to function, it has to send the text of the stories to the readers. There are at least a dozen ways to capture the story text once it's on the reader's system.

 

[alltherage]

Just wishful thinking then I guess.

 

[P. B. Walker]

This only way I know of to protect your work would be to not allow the story to be broken up electonically and then "mark" the work in some manner... this is similar to pictures you see on the internet that have a word or a picture in one corner of the picture. However, with a picture it's very easy to keep all the data together, it's much harder with a story. This same problem is what the music industry is running into with mp3's and the songs on CDs. How do you allow the song to be played from the CD, but not allow it to be downloaded and made into an mp3? From what I've heard, and I might be wrong, they have been able to insert "codes" into the songs that create beeps or periods of silence in the song when it is downloaded off the CD and made into a mp3, but plays fine when it is just played off the CD. So, they didn't keep it from being made into an mp3, they just "damaged" the song when it is made into an mp3. I have no doubt that some resourceful person will come up with a way to keep stories and other information published on the internet protected. Just have to wait until then...

- PBW

 

[SlyFox]

And boy did it suck!!!

But, damn! It felt really awful

Mlyn, you have my sincerest sympathy... I HATE that. It's like stealing the flowers off of a grave or someone's flag after 9/11 (that happened to me, btw). It really makes me angry... And I don't care if it is the "sincerest form of flattery" - It sucks, big time. I've been known to "borrow" a phrase or two, now and then, but whenever possible, I try to give credit where credit is due, and just hope for the same in return.

SlyFox

 

[abashed-dreamer]

As has been pointed out, the problem of reproduction cannot be solved, given that you want the story to be downloadable to the reader's computer. I download stories I like all the time.

One could encode a sentence like *this story is by jane doe* into the first letters of some series of sentences. I.e. the first sentence starts with 't', and the next with 'h'. The series of sentences need not be at the very beginning. Or the first letters of paragraphs could spell out something like this.

One could introduce a set of small errors, that distinguish you. Have double periods on sentences, 10-15.

One could have a 'trademark' sentence that would fit into many stories. 'The excitement seemed surprising, always.' This, in first letters encodes the name 'tessa'.

NOTE: ALL of the schemes require that you not tell anyone about the code!!


I do find that stories in pdf format present more of a challenge to the casual plagiarize or copier. But the serious thief can download and do the conversion, I am sure.

 

[CynMarie]

It seems that may work for stories that are available by download only. However, if a person just wants to read a story that's been posted (such as here) and type it word-for-word, it would be pointless.

Sneaking an encoded message is a good idea though, as long as the person has the story copied exactly as written.

 

[bearlee]

I sent you an email about this but this has been bothering me so istead of waiting, I decided to just get on here. I had, until tonight, never heard of the site you referred to, but I looked it up and sent them an email with a copy to the webmaster@literotica.com

I write stories, all except one December 28, 2001(and some non-erotic ones) about my fiancee, either true or her the inspiration. It is a diversion for me. I write under the name "bearlee" and you indicate somebody stole your story and put on eroticstories.com. by the name of "Bear..."

I wish you had put the full name in because it really bothers me people may think you are referring to me and I assure everyone that's just not the case. I'm hoping you will point that out or the other site will confirm this, if they can, in an email response. I hadn't looked at your story before tonight, but have looked at others and sent feedback(I didn't read the whole thing, just the first couple paragraphs) and I'm on your newsletter-in fact I got a copy the other day.

Rest assured, this was not me. There are more than 20 people registered on this site having screen names starting with "bear". Some are capital "B" and some small "b" such as me.

So, if you have the name or other information, I'm hoping you'll clear this up for anybody reading this post. I realize I could have let it go and eventually it would have gone away, but it was bugging me too much to sit here and say nothing.

Sorry for the long post, have a Happy New Year! bearlee(Lee)

 

[mlyn]

re: plagiarism

In response to bearlee,
the person who stole my story had the name of Bear only, over at lit.com. He had 2 stories posted. Mine and another, and I didn't think to look at the other one. But Art, webmaster at ES, removed the story within 2 hours of my email. Sorry if you felt this indicated you, but that was all he put. I also didn't read any mail til today. sorry, m.

 

[bearlee]

Thanks, I did get an email back from the guy named Art on the other site and they have several names that have some variation of the name "Bear" but he assured me the author in question wasn't me. I also appreciate your email response, and his. Although I have read a couple of your things, as I mentioned, I haven't read this particular story and have tried to stay away from reading much stuff on here anymore since I've tried making my own attempt at writing. I'm always afraid I'll inadvertantly take someone's idea. I have looked recently at tyjord(some pretty weird stuff) and thesandman since we seem to correspond back and forth some. Anyway, thanks again and Happy New Year!(Now I will read it!) bearlee(Lee)

 

[Hitchhiker]

ES.com.vs Literotica.com

Mlyn, read your bit ouch that hurts . So had a look at ES.com
boy that site sucks. So many adds it makes ones head spin.

There would another way to beat the copycats a story checker between sites when a new story is posted it is checked with all other sites to see if there is an older version written by another author it would mean that every story has its own serial number or D.O.B with author. I'm no computer wizz but this seems simple and logical as computers are so good at making matchs.

I'll check out yr story download to disk and read at work tomorrow.

 

[Naughty_Horse]

I just submitted my first erotic story, pending approval, so I'm not the most authoritative voice here. I am, however, a published writer and, by comparison, I wouldn't care if someone hijacked this writing.

No one's being paid, right? In my opinion I'm putting my fantasies on the board fully expecting people to jack off and I shouldn't be surprised if these lecherous spankers have loose morals regarding unenforcable copyright law.

Just my opinion, as I know the first time I had anything plagiarized I was really upset. In this instance, it's almost the gift that keeps on giving if it takes on a mind of its own and help people jerk themselves silly all over the world. (Or, conversely, it could be like Frankenstein's out-of-control monster and I must now embark on some weird masturbatory confrontation in the arctic... those poor seals.)

On the other hand, if Bear submits my story to some Internet site and gets an email from a luscious creature willing to make those fantasies come true... well, then I'd be livid.

 

[Hitchhiker]

Oh dear Naughty horse, How sad thee are.
The idea is write and enjoy that others have pleasure from your writting. Also for me I prefer to publish on a SITE OF QUALITY and LITEROTICA.COM is such a site. As you can see from my previous post ES.com does not have that quality.

However some form of serial number for each story would be an idea, that would stop the copycats.

As for making contact with a female or other that could make your fantasy come true. Live in hope.
I have had contact with a lady who likes the style of my work and she, though thousands of miles away has gone out and bought herself a new bedroom power tool. For me that is a wonderful compliement. Also fantasy or cyber lovers are safe and dont leave crumbs in the bed!!!!! After all the biggest sex organ in the body is the brain so use it.

 

[GasPedalJoe]

I recently had several chapters from a book I wrote plagiarized and republished in another book. Indeed, the validation you feel is at times overwhelming. Who could do such a thing?

I'm glad that you've found the perpetrator, and it's a relief to me that the other website manager was so cooperative about removing the story.

--GPJ.

 

[taurents]

I know how you feel one of my stories appeared not once but twice on a pay site with no facility for contacting the owner of the site , its specially annoying to know they are being paid for MY work

 

[pocketrocket]

Its a compliment if you want to look at it that way

I've never had a story lifted, but I one had an exam stolen. The Professor told me that I should look on it as a ompliment, sine that person obviously thought I was better at it that he/she was. That didn't stop them from suspend him/her (I never knew who), and I still had to retake the test, but it has been some consolation.

 

[NaughtyMike]

Think about all the stories he could choose to copy and he selected yours above the rest. Feel flattered.

 

[The Sex Master]

And boy did it suck!!!

Luckily a fan/friend (dear friend) sent me email that my story Prenuptial Visit was on EroticStories.com.

I went and looked and what do you know... it was exactly the same, including the lead in sentence as the first 4 parts of my story here, except he change the two main characters first names only. It had been submitted by someone called Bear... who had another story there as well.

I felt violated.

I wrote to ES.com and within 2 hours had an email back that he had removed the story. I told him my email that I had the emails saved that proved how we had created the story, if he needed proof. But, damn! It felt really awful.

Has it happened to anyone else?

It's a problem,with no EASY answer.

 

[MysteryWriter]

I suppose the answer is dont post anything here you ever want to sell anywhere else... with a few exceptions I dont want my name on what I post here... They were done for fun and anyone can make a copy then tell his girlfriend he wrote it. Course she might throw his ass out. Too wierd.

 

[Frenchman]

Stolen Stories!

Anyone who has taken the time and trouble to submit his/her work has entered a contract of trust. When that trust is violated, then the thief (yes, a thief of the time, talent and labor of love) who stole and became a 'pretender' of that authoship is guilty and should be challenged by a group who does have some small power to shame him for his thievery.
As a very new member of Literotica authors, I propose that when such a person becomes discovered (caught) that his/her name/e-mail/contact be shared; so that at the very least, we alll might be afforded the opportuniity to drop a line and let him/her know that they were found out and should be ashamed to have stolen in such a cowardly fashion.
I would be willing to get together (via cyberspace) with others and add my voice to such an effort.
I am a Webmaster of a new site. It has taken me two years of blood, sweat and tears to create and produce my offering. Should anyone rip me off, I would rip them a new one to the best of my ability.
Just because it is one small plageristic rip-off of a single story from Literotica: that still makes it none the lesser of a cowerdly act.

The Ol' Silver Fox
and ready to 'Posse Cum e Tatus'. Giddy-up!

 

[taurents]

Great idea but sadly the people who do this will not worry what public opinion is of them and if the heat does get too much then they will simply operate under another id for a while

 

[Frenchman]

Theives in the night!

I know exactly what you mean, but you are wrong on a couple of very important point my 'Creative Compadre.'

It does not matter whether they do the right thing, it matters whether we do the right thing
.
I hear creative conversation ad nausium regarding 'Creative Integrity' Yada,Yada, Yada, yet when it comes to 'Put up or Shut' up the complainers slink away with their tail between their legs. Doing a small thing shows courage in the face of a coward!

Secondly; making the skunk take ANY action to pay for his/her deed is a form of social punishment (even if small). Others of their kind will observe that they too may be labeled, 'Slime'.
Many may steal, but their few like wearing the lable of their trade!

Dude and Dudesses, I tell you the pen is a very mighty tool and if the creative types can't figure out how to use their creativity as a weapon of defense then of what use is the craft and just how much is their creative integrity worth? Use it or lose it!!!

 

[CRaZy]

I found two of my stories on a pay site. In the end I let it go. The webmaster was beside himself. He had paid good money to buy 1000 stories in zip form only to receive abusive emails from angry writers all over the web whose stories had been stolen. I'm not even interested in pay sites but he gave me a year's free membership as an act of faith. It wasn't his fault. Of course, the zip story sellers had disappeared down a hole somewhere. My point is this - don't always blame the site. My experience was that the webmaster couldn't have been nicer. He was truly ripped off. I don't write wank and wipe stories. Given the nature of his site, I don't think his readers would have been too impressed either.