This is a very important discussion because plagiarism affects the quality, objectivity and

trustworthiness of your research. It ruins your integrity as a writer. Secondly, plagiarism is a

criminal offence since it is about using someone else's work as your own i.e. stealing
intellectual property.

Plagiarism Research | Science topic - ResearchGate

1. The action or practice of taking someone else's work, idea, etc., and
passing it off as one's own; literary theft.

2. A particular idea, piece of writing, design, etc., which has been

plagiarized; an act or product of plagiary.

Choosing a Topic for a Research Paper or Presentation

 Getting Started
 Assigned topic?
 Choosing Resources to Support your Topic
 How Long Should Research Take?
 Plagiarism

CSES, HORT, AECT, PLPA, HESC Agriculture Librarian

Necia Parker Gibson

Email Me
Contact:

Mullins Library 220N

office number 479-575-8421

neciap@uark.edu

Email is the best way to contact me. neciap@uark.edu

Text a librarian:479-385-0803

I do consultations via Skype as well as face to face. Email me for an appointment.

479-575-8421

Skype Contact: email me for an appointment.

Subjects:Agricultural Education, Communication and Technology, Agriculture, Agriculture, Food and

Nutrition, Environmental Sciences, Horticulture, Hospitality, Human Development and Family
Sciences, Plant Sciences, Science & Engineering, Soils and Environmental Science, Style Manuals

Quick Tips

 How much time do you have? How long/how involved does the
paper or presentation need to be? This influences the topic you can
choose, as some topics will be better than others if either the time
until the due date or paper length is short.
 What kind(s) of information do you need-- a single fact, an opinion, a
simple analysis, an in-depth discussion, or more? Some things show up in
specific places and not others, or are easier to find quickly in certain
places. Facts such as boiling points are usually easier to find in
handbooks, for example.
 Are specific types or numbers of sources required? sometimes
articles from peer-reviewed or scholarly journals are required (see
the box below for a definition of peer review).
 How much do you know about your topic? Have you been allowed to
choose, or do you have a topic assigned?

Have you procrastinated? If so, you aren't alone. Talking to librarians may
be even more helpful when time is short.

Cite your sources as you work. It is far easier to keep track if you record
the information a

Selecting resources

What kind of information do I need, how much, and in what

format?

 If you are looking for a little bit of information or a discrete fact, then an
encyclopedia, handbook or dictionary might do the trick. Don't spend
hours looking for the boiling point of a substance when we have
 handbooks that will show you in a moment! We have more and more of
these in electronic format, such as Access Science.

 If you need magazines or newspapers, ProQuest Direct, Ebscohost

Academic Search Complete and Lexis Nexis Academic include many of
them.

 Many people start out by using the interdisciplinary databases in the "Top
Ten" list. Or select a database by choosing your subject from the list of
databases under Electronic Resources and Databases. For example,
clicking on Agriculture generates a list including Agricola, CAB, Biological
Abstracts, Web of Science, and others.

NOTE: some topics show up in more than one database. Articles about
food security will show up in Food Science and Technology Abstracts,
Sociological Abstracts, Criminal Justice Abstracts, and CINAHL, as well as
in ProQuest Direct, and others. Check your terms, though. In some areas,
food security means food safety, vs. having enough to feel secure.


o Many of the databases will allow you to limit your search to "peer
reviewed" or "scholarly" articles. These will more in-depth and of
better quality than magazine or newspaper articles.


o Find visual aids and statistics to support your speech. They will
improve the audience's understanding of an issue and support your
argument more readily than words alone. Don't forget to cite
figures, diagrams or images that you include, as you would other
supporting material.

 If you need to have electronic text (esp. distance education students or if

you're working from home), many of our databases allow you to limit your
search to citations that have the full text of the article attached.

When using any database provided by the Libraries, the user is responsible for observing the copyright laws of the
United States (Title 17, United States Code). Students, faculty and staff should understand the fair use guidelines that
protect scholarship and research.

How Long Does Research Take?

How long the research process takes varies by:

 the nature of the assignment

 how well the topic is covered in 'the literature'* (i.e., books, journals and
other sources)
 what materials are available in our library or online
 the length of time allotted for the assignment
 the expertise of the researcher (i.e., what you know about the topic).

Things to keep in mind:

  Start early so that you can revise your strategy or your paper if
necessary.
 Some topics will have a huge amount of material available, while some
will have little.
 If you need background material, subject encyclopedias may give more
specific detail.
 Conducting research normally takes longer than you expect.

Frustration and backtracking are a normal part of the process. However,

reference librarians can show you strategies that can save you time and
can help you do your research more effectively.

Ask at the Desk, through Ask-a-librarian, by phone 575-6645, text to

479-385-0803 or email refer@uark.edu for assistance.

You can use the Research Paper Wizard (also called Hogworthy) to help
plan the sequence and find sources.

University Rules

"10. Plagiarizing, that is, the offering as one's own work the words, ideas, or
arguments of another person without appropriate attribution by quotation, reference
or footnote. Plagiarism occurs either when the words of another (in print, electronic,
or any other medium) are reproduced without acknowledgement or when the ideas
or arguments of another are paraphrased in such a way as to lead the reader to
believe that they originated with the writer. It is the responsibility of all University
students to understand the methods of proper attribution and to apply those
principles in all materials submitted."
Catalog of Studies, 2010-11 Academic Regulations, Academic Honesty, Introduction, Definitions

What this means in real life is that you can't use your friend's paper or
presentation, either as a whole work or as a source; you shouldn't even
use your own papers from another class, without explicit permission from
both professors. You'll need to use articles, books, book chapters, and
make sure you cite the material that you use, whether you quote directly,
paraphrase, or integrate materials. Be careul to keep track, especially if
you are copying and pasting text or images(yes, images should be cited
too-- they are the intellectual property of the creator). We have several
tools, including Refworks and Endnote Basic, to help you keep track of
your sources. Some of our librarians also like Zotero, which is a free tool.

 Catalog of Studies-- Academic Dishonesty

Consequences

Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty can cost students their scholarships, their
ability to attend the University, potential jobs or internships, and often some of their
relationships--

The New York Times has a page that links to many articles about plagiarism.

Maintaining academic or research integrity is a problem in many fields. The subject is

complex, and made more difficult by the ways the media can make it seem as though
"everyone is doing it." First of all, that isn't true, and second, the people who take shortcuts
through using other peoples' materials as their own shortchange their own learning.

handouts and other information from the QWC

 The Quality Writing Center at the University of Arkansas » Handouts

Credit goes to--

This guide page uses some style elements and content borrowed, with permission, from a
similar page by Patricia Kirkwood.

Different Forms of Plagiarism

The most obvious form:

Plagiarism can take several forms. The most obvious form of plagiarism is the purchase of
prepared papers from commercial term paper companies and the submission of such papers
as one's own work.

Proper footnoting essential:

A second obvious form of plagiarism is a word-for-word copying of someone else's work, in

whole or in part, without appropriate acknowledgement, whether that work be a magazine
article, a portion of a book, a newspaper piece, another student's paper, or any other
composition not your own. Any such verbatim use of another's work must be acknowledged
by (1) appropriate indention or enclosing all such copied portions in quotation marks and by
(2) giving the original source in a footnote (or parenthetical notation, if you are using a style
that supports parenthetical notation). As a general rule, you should make very little use of
directly quoted matter in your research paper. If you do not know how to footnote properly,
ask your instructor for guidance. In addition, proper footnote style for many academic
departments is outlined by the MLA Style Sheet or K.L. Turabian's A Manual for Writers of
Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. These and similar publications are available in the
library or in the University Bookstore. UTD requires dissertation and thesis students to use A
Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations - Sixth Edition when
formatting their papers. This resource is available at the UTD Bookstore and the UTD
Library.
Paraphrasing vs. original work

A third form of plagiarism is the paraphrasing for the structure and language of another
person's work. Changing a few words of another's composition, omitting a few sentences, or
changing their order does not constitute original composition and therefore can be given no
credit. If such borrowing or paraphrasing is ever necessary, the source must be scrupulously
indicated by footnotes. How then you may ask, can I be original? Am I to learn nothing from
others? There are several answers to such questions. Of course you have come to the
University to learn, and this means acquiring ideas and exchanging opinions with others. But
no idea is ever genuinely learned by copying it down in the phrasing of somebody else. Only
when you have the thought through an idea in terms of your own experience can you be said
to have learned; and when you have done that, you can develop it on paper as the product of
your own mind.

(from UTD Judicial Affairs)

Introduction

Plagiarism: What Every Student Should Know

From UT Dallas Judicial Affairs Community Standards and Conduct

Every student will be held responsible for reading and understanding the following statement.

To submit to your instructor a paper or comparable assignment that is not truly the product of
your own mind and skill is to commit plagiarism. To put it bluntly, plagiarism is the act of
stealing the ideas and/or expression of another and representing them as your own. It is a
form of a cheating and a kind of scholastic dishonesty which can incur severe penalties. It is
important, therefore, that you understand what constitutes plagiarism, so that you will not
unwittingly jeopardize your college career.

The most obvious form:

Plagiarism can take several forms. The most obvious form of plagiarism is the purchase of
prepared papers from commercial term paper companies and the submission of such papers
as one's own work.

Proper footnoting essential:

A second obvious form of plagiarism is a word-for-word copying of someone else's work, in

whole or in part, without appropriate acknowledgement, whether that work be a magazine
article, a portion of a book, a newspaper piece, another student's paper, or any other
composition not your own. Any such verbatim use of another's work must be acknowledged
by (1) appropriate indention or enclosing all such copied portions in quotation marks and by
(2) giving the original source in a footnote. As a general rule, you should make very little use
of directly quoted matter in your research paper. If you do not know how to footnote
properly, ask your instructor for guidance. In addition, proper footnote style for many
academic departments is outlined by the MLA Style Sheet or K.L. Turabian's A Manual for
Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations. These and similar publications are
available in the library or in the University Bookstore. UTD requires dissertation and thesis
students to use A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations - Sixth
Edition when formatting their papers. This resource is available at the UTD Bookstore
and the UTD Library.

Paraphrasing vs. original work

A third form of plagiarism is the paraphrasing for the structure and language of another
person's work. Changing a few words of another's composition, omitting a few sentences, or
changing their order does not constitute original composition and therefore can be given no
credit. If such borrowing or paraphrasing is ever necessary, the source must be scrupulously
indicated by footnotes. How then you may ask, can I be original? Am I to learn nothing from
others? There are several answers to such questions. Of course you have come to the
University to learn, and this means acquiring ideas and exchanging opinions with others. But
no idea is ever genuinely learned by copying it down in the phrasing of somebody else. Only
when you have the thought through an idea in terms of your own experience can you be said
to have learned; and when you have done that, you can develop it on paper as the product of
your own mind.

Using the instructor as a resource

If an assignment baffles you, discuss it with your instructor. And if you are directed to use
printed sources, consult your instructor about how to proceed. There is an art to taking notes
for research; careless note taking can lead to plagiarism.

The consequences of plagiarism

Why be so concerned about plagiarism? Because it defeats the ends of education. If students
were given credit for work that is not their own, then course grades would be meaningless. A
college degree would become a mere sheet of paper and the integrity of the University would
be undermined. To protect conscientious students, therefore, and to guarantee the quality of
their education, the University assesses heavy penalties against those who plagiarize. The
Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System and the
University's Handbook of Operating Procedures provide penalties for plagiarism which
range from an "F" grade to dismissal from the University. If these penalties seem severe,
remember that your integrity and the integrity of the University itself are at stake. These rules
and regulations are available to students from the Dean of Students and the Office of Student
Life (SU1.602), where staff are available to assist students in their understanding of the
various rules and regulations governing student conduct. Finally, the University cannot
prevent students from plagiarizing, but it can make sure that they know what plagiarism is,
what the penalties for it are, and in what jeopardy it places future careers; hence this
statement. Read it carefully. If you do not understand it fully, consult your instructor. And, if
you have any doubts about the originality of a paper you have written or a comparable
assignment, see your instructor before you turn it in.

“cited text of other authors should be covered in double inverted quote sign example ".............."
(Kale, 2018). then put author surname, comma and publication date in parenthesis. Because anti-
plagiarism software tool understand only double inverted quote sign ("......") and sentences cited
from another source is excluded from plagiarism detection during scanning of text by anti-plagiarism
software tool. Please be follow this style.”
Dear David, Please have a look at these useful RG links.
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_check_plagiarism
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_detect_check_plagiarism_in_a_research_manuscript
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_check_for_the_plagiarism_of_a_document_freely
Good luck!”

How to Avoid Plagiarism in Research Papers (Part1)

Last updated May 24, 2018

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Writing a research paper poses challenges in gathering literature and providing evidence for
making your paper stronger. Drawing upon previously established ideas and values and
adding pertinent information in your paper are necessary steps, but these need to be done with
caution without falling into the trap of plagiarism.

Plagiarism is the unethical practice of using words or ideas (either planned or accidental) of
another author/researcher or your own previous works without proper acknowledgment.
Considered as a serious academic and intellectual offense, plagiarism can result in highly
negative consequences such as paper retractions and loss of author credibility and reputation.
It is currently a grave problem in academic publishing and a major reason for retraction of
research papers.

It is thus imperative for researchers to increase their understanding about plagiarism. In some
cultures, academic traditions and nuances may not insist on authentication by citing the
source of words or ideas. However, this form of validation is a prerequisite in the global
academic code of conduct. Non-native English speakers face a higher challenge of
communicating their technical content in English as well as complying with ethical rules. The
digital age too affects plagiarism. Researchers have easy access to material and data on the
internet which makes it easy to copy and paste information.

Related: Conducting literature survey and wish to learn more about scientific misconduct?
Check out this resourceful infographic today!

Guard yourself against plagiarism, however accidental it may be. Here are some effective tips
to avoid plagiarism.

1. Understand the context

 Do not copy–paste the text verbatim from the reference paper. Instead, restate the idea in
your own words.
 Understand the idea(s) of the reference source well in order to paraphrase correctly.
 Examples on good paraphrasing can be found here
(https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase.html)
2. Quote

Use quotes to indicate that the text has been taken from another paper. The quotes should be
exactly the way they appear in the paper you take them from.

3. Identify what does and does not need to be cited

 Any words or ideas that are not your own but taken from another paper need to be cited.
 Cite Your Own Material—If you are using content from your previous paper, you must cite
yourself. Using material you have published before without citation is called self-plagiarism.
 The scientific evidence you gathered after performing your tests should not be cited.
 Facts or common knowledge need not be cited. If unsure, include a reference.

4. Manage your citations

 Maintain records of the sources you refer to. Use citation software like EndNote or
Reference Manager to manage the citations used for the paper
 Use multiple references for the background information/literature survey. For example,
rather than referencing a review, the individual papers should be referred to and cited.

5. Use plagiarism checkers

You can use various plagiarism detection tools such as iThenticate or eTBLAST to check for
any inadvertent plagiarism in your manuscript.

Tip: While it is perfectly ok to survey previously published work, it is not ok to paraphrase

the same with extensive similarity. Most of the plagiarism occurs in the literature review
section of any document (manuscript, thesis, etc.). Therefore, if you read the original work
carefully, try to understand the context, take good notes, and then express it to your target
audience in your own language (without forgetting to cite the original source), then you will
never be accused with plagiarism (at least for the literature review section).

Caution: The above statement is valid only for the literature review section of your
document. You should NEVER EVER use someone else’s original results and pass them off
as yours!

What strategies do you adopt to maintain content originality? What advice would you share
with your peers? Please feel free to comment in the section below.

If you would like to know more about patchwriting, quoting, paraphrasing and more, read the
next article in this series!

Avoiding plagiarism

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Avoiding plagiarism

8 Most Common Types of Plagiarism to Stay Away from!

Last updated May 20, 2018

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Plagiarism, or passing someone else’s work as your own, is not a new phenomenon in
research. It has gained greater attention with the advent of technology that has made it easier
to uncover instances of plagiarism. There are many types of plagiarism already described.
Although no degree of plagiarism is acceptable, it can range from complete plagiarism, as the
most egregious act of fraud, to accidental plagiarism.

However, not all types of plagiarism are alike. When analyzing whether something is an act
of plagiarism, the determination of whether it was intentional or unintentional, plays an
important role. That is why knowledge about plagiarism is a key learning component at
colleges and universities. It addresses the gravity of both intentional and unintentional
plagiarism.

Types of Plagiarism

With respect to the gravity and frequency of plagiarism, a survey of scientific researchers has
produced a ranking of plagiarism types. While complete plagiarism represents the most
serious offense, paraphrasing is the one that is the most common. It is, thus, very important to
consider and understand all the various types of plagiarism and how they occur.

Complete Plagiarism
Complete plagiarism is the most severe case of plagiarism where a researcher takes a
manuscript or study that someone else created, and submits it under his or her name. It is also
considered intellectual theft and stealing.

Source-based Plagiarism

Plagiarism may occur because of the different types of sources. For example, when a
researcher references a source that is incorrect or does not exist, it is a misleading citation.
Plagiarism also occurs when a researcher uses a secondary source of data or information, but
only cites the primary source of information. Both these types lead to increase in the number
of references sources. This, in turn, increases the citation number of the references.

Finally, data fabrication and falsification are also forms of plagiarism. Data fabrication is the
making up of data and research findings, while data falsification involves changing or
omitting data to give a false impression. The consequences of this type of plagiarism can be
grave, particularly when it comes to medical research which constitutes evidence for medical
decisions.

Direct Plagiarism

Direct or verbatim plagiarism occurs when an author copies, the text of another author, word
for word, without the use of quotation marks or attribution, thus passing it as his or her own.
In that way, it is like complete plagiarism, but it refers to sections (rather than all) of someone
else’s text. This type of plagiarism is considered academically dishonest and it calls for
academic disciplinary actions. It is not as common, but it is a serious infraction of academic
rules and ethics.

Self or Auto Plagiarism

Auto-plagiarism, also known as self-plagiarism or duplication, happens when an author

reuses significant portions of his or her previously published work without attribution. Thus,
this type of plagiarism is most likely to involve published researchers, rather than university
students. The severity of this kind of infraction is under debate, depending on the copied
content. Many academic journals, however, have strict criteria on the percentage of author’s
work that is reusable. Many journals run the manuscripts through plagiarism software before
considering it for review.

Paraphrasing plagiarism

This is, as published on Wiley, the most common type of plagiarism. It involves the use of
someone else’s writing with some minor changes in the sentences and using it as one’s own.
Even if the words differ, the original idea remains the same and plagiarism occurs. Because
students often do not have a clear understanding of what constitutes plagiarism, there are
recommendations for research and writing available to reduce the risk of paraphrasing
plagiarism.

Inaccurate Authorship

Inaccurate authorship or misleading attribution can happen in two ways:

In one form, when all the authors contribute to a manuscript, but do not get credit for their
work. The second form is the opposite: when an author gets credit without contributing to the
work. This type of plagiarism, whichever way it occurs, is a violation of the code of conduct
in research.

It is also possible to commit this form of plagiarism when someone else edits a manuscript
leading to substantive changes. In this case, the recommendation is to acknowledge the
contribution at the time of publication, even if they are not listed as authors.

Mosaic Plagiarism

Mosaic plagiarism may be more difficult to detect because it interlays someone else’s phrases
or text within its own research. It is also known as patchwork plagiarism and it is intentional
and dishonest.

Accidental Plagiarism

Whether intended or unintended, there is no excuse for plagiarism and the consequences are
often the same. However, plagiarism may be accidental if it occurred due to neglect, mistake,
or unintentional paraphrasing. Students are likely to commit accidental plagiarism, so
universities should stress on the importance of education about this form of plagiarism.

These are some of the different types of plagiarism that are common in the research
community. How many of these have you encountered? How did you deal with them? Please
share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Avoiding plagiarism

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Avoiding plagiarism
How to Avoid Plagiarism in Research Papers (Part 2)
Last updated May 21, 2018

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In our previous article, we introduced the definition of plagiarism and instructions on reusing
intellectual output from others without committing plagiarism. We also provided links to
helpful tools to help organize your references (e.g., EndNote or Reference Manager) and
check plagiarism (e.g., iThenticate and HelioBLAST [formerly eTBLAST]). This article
offers additional information and examples on paraphrasing, patchwriting, and quoting.

More than Just Words

Many, if not most, people presume that plagiarism refers to copying others’ words without
giving that person credit. They would be correct; however, plagiarism is more than that. It
also involves copying another’s “ideas” and data. Ideas, just as words or data, are “owned” by
the person who created them. Taking one’s ideas as your own without proper credit is just as
serious as copying his or her words without credit. Plagiarism is a serious professional
infraction. The actions taken against the offender can be anything from the retraction of a
paper to the loss of research funding.

Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

In a research paper, references are used throughout to support findings. To help the
author, journals provide guidelines for in-text citations and references (e.g., articles, books,
essays) based on the recommended style guide. It is also important to determine whether to
quote a reference directly or paraphrase it. What’s the difference? Again, don’t be pulled into
the trap of believing that paraphrasing won’t be considered plagiarism. You must be very
careful here.

Quoting is reproducing someone else’s words. Although it is often necessary, quotes should
be used sparingly. When necessary, quotes are used to clarify, define something in the text, or
support a claim.

Example:

The elephant is the largest mammal in the world and can weigh nearly eight tons. It has a
“massive body, large ears and a long trunk, which has many uses ranging from using it as a
hand to pick up objects, as a horn to trumpet warnings, an arm raised in greeting to a hose for
drinking water or bathing.” (Source: https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/elephant)

This quote (note the quotation marks) gives a good verbal description of what an elephant
looks like. We don’t need to add anything to it and it would be difficult to paraphrase and
retain the visual. We have given credit to the source in the parentheses.

Paraphrasing is using your own words to express what someone else has written. As with
quotes, paraphrasing must also be cited. Remember to give credit even when paraphrasing.
When paraphrasing, ensure that the reference is provided and the main idea/concept is not
altered.
Example:

The elephant is the largest mammal in the world and can weigh nearly eight tons. Its large
floppy ears help to cool its body and protect it from insects. Its proboscis that runs from its
head to the ground and is used as a tool and for drinking and bathing. (Source:
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/elephant )

Here, the information has been paraphrased, but the quoted version is a better definition. As
mentioned, quotations can be quite useful for defining and clarifying an idea, but must be
used only when necessary.

Paraphrasing is quite useful but it can be difficult to do. Some good guidelines for
paraphrasing are as follows:

 Ensure that you are completely aware of the message behind the quote.
 Compose your paraphrase without referring to the quote.
 Compare your paraphrase with the quote to ensure that the meanings are the same.

This takes some time but it will help avoid any accusations of plagiarism.

Patchwriting

Patchwriting refers to text that is too similar in format and wording to the original quote. This
can be a sign of not fully understanding the message. Be mindful of this. It is not acceptable
to simply use synonyms to replace original words.

It is easy to simply copy text off the Internet for just about anything we want to discuss. We
copy and paste it into a blank virtual piece of paper. We cut out superfluous information and
add our own words. This is patchwriting, and it is still plagiarism.

Example:

The pachyderm is the largest mammal in the world. It weighs anywhere from 500 pounds to
eight tons. It has a huge body, big ears, and an extended trunk that can pick up objects, sound
warnings, greet others, drink water, or bathe.

Would this need to be cited? Yes, this is clearly patchwriting. We merely deleted some
words and shortened the sentence, but the original message is the same.

Remember, when paraphrasing, do not just substitute synonyms for original words. Think
about what is being conveyed. Write down the “thoughts” behind the original words, not the
words themselves. This will help you avoid the patchwriting trap.

You are asked to write a definition of “species.” Can you copy verbatim the definition out of
the dictionary without having to cite it? Can you use the definition in Wikipedia without a
citation? Why or why not?

Avoiding plagiarism

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Avoiding plagiarism

How Do Editors Help in Combating Plagiarism by ESL Authors?

Last updated May 24, 2018

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ESL authors often employ language editors to improve their manuscripts. The editors
sometimes encounter cases where the authors have copied sentences from published papers of
other authors to use as their own. MacDonnell presents a good overview of the reasons
behind the plagiarism practiced by ESL authors.1 There are obvious cultural differences
between Western and non-Western countries, and it has been suggested that copying of words
is not considered as a serious issue by ESL authors.2 The Committee on Publication Ethics
(COPE) has published an in-depth discussion paper on this issue.3 Without going into details
about the reasons behind plagiarism, let us discuss how editors can detect plagiarism and
what they can do once they detect plagiarism.

How to Detect Plagiarism

As a typical document written by a non-native speaker has many grammatical errors, the
editors can detect plagiarism if some paragraphs are especially well written in an otherwise
poorly written document. The editors can also google search random sentences from the text
to see whether they have been copied. They can also check the references cited by the author
to see if some text is reproduced. There are also many software tools available to detect
plagiarism. 4

Communicate with Authors in a Polite Language

When plagiarism is detected, it becomes very important to convey this to the authors without
using an accusatory tone. Most authors are accomplished academicians and they may feel
slighted if the editors accuse them of something that they perhaps didn’t know is an offense.
The extent of copied material also plays a role in the editor’s actions. If whole paragraphs are
copied from someone else’s work, then the editors should respectfully decline the work. They
should present the authors with the similar passages from the source and request to rewrite
the affected passages. On the other hand, if the author has copied only some sentences, the
editors can “correct” the affected passages by paraphrasing and then ask the authors to cite
the original source. As the authors request language correction in their manuscript, the editors
can include slight paraphrasing in their usual editing services.

Paraphrasing as a Service

In addition to copying from others, some authors may copy some text, sometimes
entire paragraphs and even the whole content, from their own published papers, and tell the
editors to rewrite the text so as to not appear as a direct reproduction. Typically this happens
when a graduate student wants to write a thesis based on his/her publications but does not
have sufficient time. In such cases, the editors can offer a paraphrasing service after making
sure that the published papers are actually written by the author.

Other Strategies

Sometimes a good strategy to implement when large-scale plagiarism is encountered is to tell

the authors to write the affected text in their own language and then get it translated it in
English. The editors can then edit the translated text. This tends to work well for most
authors. In addition to this, it is also important to educate the authors about the seriousness of
plagiarism. As mentioned before, copying of words may not be considered a grave issue in
some cultures.

References

1. McDonnell, K. E. (2004). Academic plagiarism rules and ESL learning: Mutually

exclusive concepts? American University TESOL Working Papers, No. 2.

2. Hayes, N., & Introna, LD (2005), ETHICS & BEHAVIOR, 15(3), 213–231: Cultural
Values, Plagiarism, and Fairness: When Plagiarism Gets in the Way of Learning

3. Elizabeth Wager (2011, April 26) How should editors respond to plagiarism? COPE
discussion paper
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2. 10 easy ways to make sure your article gets read
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I think it’s in high school when most of us had the concept of plagiarism shoved down our
throat. It was all part of the lessons about citations and the MLA format or the Chicago Style
Manual or whatever it was your teacher used to put the fear of getting an F in you. And, of
course, this was likely before this whole internet thing controlled our communication. Still,
too often, there is confusion about infringement of copyright and plagiarism.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is, simply, taking someone else’s work and passing it off as your own. Happens all
the time. Happens to school kids. Happens in the work place. Happens on the internet. Every
day. Everywhere. Sometimes people lose their job because they’ve plagiarized another
person’s work. Students have had their college admissions revoked due to plagiarism charges.

Plagiarism is not illegal in the United States. Despite the sometimes very harsh
consequences, plagiarism is a moral issue not a legal one. Given the spectrum of morality
practiced by people around the globe, plagiarism can range from a small nuisance to a serious
offense with significant consequences.

While many companies don’t have a policy regarding plagiarism, certain industries follow
very strict ethical codes. As consumers we also expect a certain level of professionalism from
those in fields where information and words are the equivalent of gold. And while passing off
someone else’s work may not seem like a big deal compared to things like insider trading,
corporate espionage, or trade secret theft, most educated people do consider plagiarism to be
important.

What is copyright infringement?

Copyright infringement can only happen if the underlying work is copyrighted. While
copyright is automatic, it doesn’t apply to every single thing we create. So, yes, there are a
host of super cool things that you can not copyright. Things like lists, useful items,
choreographic works (unless they have been recorded), fashion, ideas, and, for the most part,
works created by the US Government.

Copyright infringement is a legal framework for pursuing damages against someone who
wrongfully violates the exclusive rights you have with your copyright. That’s kind of the
lawyer-ish way to say, if someone uses your copyrighted work without permission or under a
covered exception such as Fair Use, you likely have a case and can sue them (or if it’s online
also file a DMCA Takedown Notice and get their posting taken down).

Like copyright, copyright infringement is automatic. If your copyrighted work is used

without your permission in a way that violates your exclusive rights, the person or
organization using it is engaging in copyright infringement. The key is that (1) you must have
a copyrighted work, (2) it is used without your permission or under a valid exception, and (3)
in a manner for which you have exclusive rights.

Let’s break this down:

1. The work must be subject to copyright. Remember, there are a number of things that can
not be copyrighted.

2. You must be the copyright holder. Your copyrighted work does not have to be registered,
but that helps if you decide to seek damages. The copyright can’t be expired (which is not
usually important with regard to current works but keep the year 1978 in mind because that’s
a key date of delineation in Copyright).

3. Your copyrighted work must be used without your permission or authorization and not
covered by an exception. This means you did not provide permission or if you had but have
since legally withdrawn permission, there may be an infringement. Keep in mind that if you
had put your work out under a Creative Commons license those are non-revokable. (Did you
know that about Creative Commons licenses?)

4. The allegedly infringing use is one that is yours exclusively under the US Copyright Act.
Other people can tell you they’ve seen your work online, but they can’t use the law to enforce
your rights. The exclusive rights are rather broad but you’d want to ensure the allegedly
infringing use falls into one of those categories.

If all four of these things are present, you likely have a copyright infringement and have a
host of legal remedies available.

What is the difference between Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism?

The most significant difference is that you can sue or employ the remedies under the Digital
Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) for copyright infringement but you can’t for plagiarism.
Plagiarism may overlap copyright infringement, but that’s not always the case.

Other differences include:

Copyright infringement doesn’t consider whether you were given credit. Copyright
infringement can still occur even if the source, author, or copyright-holder is cited. Plagiarism
only occurs if someone is trying to pass off your work as their own.
Plagiarism is a violation of moral, ethical, or organization norms not laws.

Plagiarism can occur with things not subject to copyright or when copyright infringement is
excused as Fair Use. Ideas can be plagiarized, as can useful articles, neither of which are
subject to copyright.

Copyright infringement only happens with regard to the copyright holder, which may not be
the author or actual creator. Plagiarism is an offense against the author or creator, regardless
of who may have legal rights to their work.

Plagiarism can occur even if there is permission from the copyright-holder to use the work.
Permission to use the work doesn’t mean you get to take credit and pass it off as your own.
Even if the copyright-holder didn’t specify anything about giving credit, you have to provide
some type of attribution to avoid a plagiarism charge.

For copyright infringement that takes place online, you may be able to file a DMCA
Takedown Notice. In cases of plagiarism only, the remedies available are much more limited.

Bottom Line

Both copyright infringement and plagiarism are bad. Both often play out in the court of
public opinion, which likely has a greater cost than any legal judgement. Some may argue
that the consequences of being found to have plagiarized a work are more harsh than
damages a court doles out. Interestingly, a finding of plagiarism may stay with someone
much longer than being held accountable for copyright infringement.

As a society, the value we have for makers and creators is not always consistent with actions.
With the advent of social media, it’s easier than ever to be held accountable for claiming to
have created something when, in fact, you didn’t. Right or wrong, we really need to move
away from the premise that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness and, instead, support the value of
creators and their work and ask permission and give credit.

IN THE NEWS

Plagiarism

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ENTERTAINMENT

Bob Dylan's 'Tempest' over plagiarism claims

September 13, 2012 | By Randy Lewis

They've got a lotta nerve, to say he stole some words. That's essentially Bob Dylan's response to
criticism that has sprouted up periodically throughout his half-century (and counting) career that he
has quoted or outright plagiarized other writers' words in some of his songs. Talking to Rolling Stone
contributor Mikal Gilmore in the Sept. 27 issue of the magazine - which hits newsstands Friday--
Dylan blasts such critics with harsh words. The exchange with Gilmore , who cited specific instances
over which Dylan has been slammed for lifting thoughts and phrases from Japanese author Junichi
Saga and Civil War poet Henry Timrod, begins politely, with Dylan shifting into musicologist mode:
“In folk and jazz, quotation is a rich and enriching tradition,” Dylan said.

ARTICLES BY DATE

ENTERTAINMENT

Jerry O'Connell copies Shia LaBeouf who copies Marina Abramovic

February 12, 2014 | By Deborah Vankin

Beverly Boulevard is awash in meta-ism today. In addition to Shia LaBeouf's so-called art installation
- a plagiarized play on plagiarism itself, which has been prattling on since Tuesday morning at Cohen
Gallery - now actor Jerry O'Connell has set up an art installation of his own, a spoof coordinated by
Funny or Die directly next door, mocking LaBeouf. Whereas LaBeouf's art-apology, “IAMSORRY,” is
riffing on artist Marina Abramovic's 2010 MoMA piece “The Artist Is Present,” O'Connell's
#IAMSORRYTOO is riffing on LaBeouf's riffing of Abramovic.

Advertisement

ENTERTAINMENT

Quentin Tarantino's girlfriend is accused of plagiarism

July 15, 2013 | By John Horn

Lianne MacDougall, a film writer who specializes in genre movies and has been linked romantically
to Quentin Tarantino, has been accused of repeated plagiarism and apparently has taken to Twitter
to apologize for lifting whole sections of other articles. Mike White at the website the Impossible
Funky said he has chronicled a series of verbatim lifting published by MacDougall, who uses the
Web alias Spiderbaby and writes for the sites FEARnet.com and hosts the online show Frightbytes.

CALIFORNIA | LOCAL

Janet Dailey dies at 69; romance novelist overcame plagiarism scandal

December 23, 2013 | David Colker

Romance novelist Janet Dailey, who went from secretary to bestselling author with millions of copies
of her books sold worldwide, found herself in the midst of a scandal in 1997 that could have been a
career-ender. But in her world, the heroine always found a way to overcome dire straits. In Dailey's
"Night of the Cotillion" (1977), Amanda finds love with Jarod, though he mocks her early on for being
"wrapped up in those romantic notions ... and the happily-ever-afters. " In "For the Love of God"
(1981)

WORLD
German education minister replaced after plagiarism scandal
February 14, 2013 | By Emily Alpert

Germany replaced its embattled education minister Thursday, choosing a mathematician to succeed
Annette Schavan, who was accused of plagiarizing parts of her doctoral thesis. Schavan announced
her resignation days after a University of Dusseldorf probe determined that the minister had
“systematically and deliberately” used others' work without crediting it. The former minister denies
any wrongdoing and says she will contest the decision in court. However, Schavan said Saturday that
she was stepping down anyway because an education minister suing a university would cause
difficulties for the government.

NEWS

Rand Paul attacks media over plagiarism accusations

November 6, 2013 | By Morgan Little

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Rand Paul shifted his tone from apology to condemnation Wednesday as he
continued to face fallout from alleged plagiarism in numerous speeches and articles. Last week, the
Kentucky Republican chalked up accusations that he had improperly lifted passages from Wikipedia
to a misunderstanding about attribution practices and the malicious intent of “haters.” But as more
suspiciously similar passages emerged, including one in a September Washington Times column that
prompted the paper to suspend Paul's weekly contributions, Paul has been forced to go on the
offensive.

ENTERTAINMENT

CNN suspends Fareed Zakaria for alleged plagiarism

August 10, 2012 | By Scott Collins

CNN host Fareed Zakaria is in the crosshairs after being accused of plagiarism for a gun-control
column. The network said Friday it had suspended Zakaria, a foreign-policy expert and the host of
"Fareed Zakaria GPS," after questions arose about a column he wrote this month for Time headlined
"The Case for Gun Control. " In the column , Zakaria alluded to the recent shootings at a Colorado
movie theater and a Wisconsin Sikh temple, but the rest appeared to be borrowed heavily and
without attribution from an April 22 New Yorker article about guns in America by Jill Lepore.

ENTERTAINMENT

Finnair to remove airplane art after plagiarism charges

May 30, 2013 | By David Ng

Finnair, the largest airline in Finland, said on Wednesday that it will remove artwork that adorns an
Airbus plane in its fleet after it was discovered that the art was plagiarized. The design on the plane,
which depicts a group of trees in a forest, was created by the Finnish firm Marimekko five years ago,
according to reports. But it turns out that the design was improperly copied from the celebrated
Ukrainian folk artist Maria Primatshenko. A spokeswoman for Finnair told the Associated Press that
the design would be painted over as soon as possible.
ENTERTAINMENT

Jane Goodall book postponed after plagiarism issues raised

March 25, 2013 | By Jenny Hendrix

Primatologist Jane Goodall and publisher Grand Central have announced they will delay publication
of Goodall's forthcoming tree-focused book "Seeds of Hope" in the wake of accusations that certain
passages were plagiarized. The Washington Post noted the lack of attribution of certain passages last
week. "Together with my publisher, I have decided to postpone the release of my new book, SEEDS
OF HOPE, so that we may have the necessary time to correct any unintentional errors," Goodall said
in a statement released Friday.

CALIFORNIA | LOCAL

When college applicants plagiarize, Turnitin can spot them

January 29, 2012 | By Larry Gordon, Los Angeles Times

The student's admissions essay for Boston University's MBA program was about persevering in the
business world. "I have worked for organizations in which the culture has been open and nurturing,
and for others that have been elitist. In the latter case, arrogance becomes pervasive, straining
external partnerships. " Another applicant's essay for UCLA's Anderson School of Management was
about his father. He "worked for organizations in which the culture has been open and nurturing,
and for others that have been elitist.

CALIFORNIA | LOCAL

Rand Paul, angry over plagiarism charges, wants to sword fight

November 6, 2013 | By Robin Abcarian

One measure of a savvy politician is how he handles his mistakes. Expressing nostalgia for the days
when one could shoot or stab a critic is not a great PR move. Rand Paul, the Republican U.S. senator
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senator, beloved by the tea party and touted as a potential 2016 GOP presidential candidate, has
lashed out at the reporters who have discovered his borrowings, calling them "hacks and haters.

NEWS

Rand Paul attacks media over plagiarism accusations

November 6, 2013 | By Morgan Little

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Rand Paul shifted his tone from apology to condemnation Wednesday as he
continued to face fallout from alleged plagiarism in numerous speeches and articles. Last week, the
Kentucky Republican chalked up accusations that he had improperly lifted passages from Wikipedia
to a misunderstanding about attribution practices and the malicious intent of “haters.” But as more
suspiciously similar passages emerged, including one in a September Washington Times column that
prompted the paper to suspend Paul's weekly contributions, Paul has been forced to go on the
offensive.

NEWS
Rand Paul: Plagiarism accusations just attacks from 'haters'
November 1, 2013 | By Morgan Little

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), facing accusations that he plagiarized Wikipedia entries in two speeches,
claims critics are “making a mountain out of a molehill,” and that he credited the proper sources.
While campaigning for Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Virginia, earlier this
week, Paul warned Liberty University students about the dangers of genetic testing. “In your
lifetime, much of your potential, or lack thereof, can be known simply by swabbing the inside of your
cheek.

ENTERTAINMENT

Rachel Maddow a 'hater' in Wikipedia plagiarism flap, Rand Paul says

October 30, 2013 | By Scott Collins

Rachel Maddow is a "hater" who needs to stop nitpicking -- or so says Sen. Rand Paul. Maddow, the
liberal MSNBC host, this week accused GOP leader Paul of making a speech that "totally plagiarized"
the Wikipedia page for the sci-fi film "Gattaca. " In the speech, Paul referenced the movie and its
world "where DNA plays a primary role in determining your social class. " This and other lines
seemed lifted directly from the Wikipedia page. PHOTOS: Celebrities by The Times Big deal, Paul said
in a Wednesday interview with Fusion.

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Forward Prize for poetry goes to non-plagiarizing poet

October 2, 2013 | By Carolyn Kellogg

The Forward Prize for poetry was thrust into the news last month when a poet withdrew from
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more than $16,000, was presented Tuesday night to Michael Symmons Roberts for his collection
"Drysalter. " Each of the 150 poems in the collection is exactly 15 lines long; the title refers to an
18th-century store stocking poisons, powders, gums and drugs -- "with a nod, too, to the Psalter," as
is noted on the prize's website.

ENTERTAINMENT

Plagiarizing poet withdraws from contest. Wait, poets plagiarize?

September 23, 2013 | By Emily Keeler

The poet C.J. Allen has withdrawn his poem, “Explaining the Plot of Blade Runner to My Mother Who
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some early poems. The award for single best poem, the category Allen was shortlisted for, comes
with a prize of about $1,600. Poet Matthew Welton discovered that Allen had plagiarized a number
of his poems after attending a reading of Allen's last year. In a post on his publisher Carcanet's blog,
Welton compares his own poems to Allen's plagiarized versions . Jeannette Winterson, a judge for
the Forward Poetry Prize, told the Bookseller that she has conflicted feelings about Allen's poem
being withdrawn from consideration.
OPINION

Plagiarism in Politics
October 25, 1998

Re "Unoriginal Sins of the Candidates' Speeches," Oct. 19: As a university English teacher, I am
appalled that The Times takes such a cavalier attitude toward plagiarism. Each term, I am required
by the university to read aloud and distribute the policy regarding plagiarism: If a student is caught,
he or she is failed from the course--no appeal. After 20 years of teaching, I continue to wonder how
students can believe that plagiarism isn't wrong. (I've even caught some students plagiarizing from
one of my own publications!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next

ENTERTAINMENT

Quentin Tarantino's girlfriend is accused of plagiarism

July 15, 2013 | By John Horn

Lianne MacDougall, a film writer who specializes in genre movies and has been linked romantically
to Quentin Tarantino, has been accused of repeated plagiarism and apparently has taken to Twitter
to apologize for lifting whole sections of other articles. Mike White at the website the Impossible
Funky said he has chronicled a series of verbatim lifting published by MacDougall, who uses the
Web alias Spiderbaby and writes for the sites FEARnet.com and hosts the online show Frightbytes.

ENTERTAINMENT

Finnair to remove airplane art after plagiarism charges

May 30, 2013 | By David Ng

Finnair, the largest airline in Finland, said on Wednesday that it will remove artwork that adorns an
Airbus plane in its fleet after it was discovered that the art was plagiarized. The design on the plane,
which depicts a group of trees in a forest, was created by the Finnish firm Marimekko five years ago,
according to reports. But it turns out that the design was improperly copied from the celebrated
Ukrainian folk artist Maria Primatshenko. A spokeswoman for Finnair told the Associated Press that
the design would be painted over as soon as possible.

In this article, Sachin Vats of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law discusses laws
relating to plagiarism in India.

Laws Relating to Plagiarism

We all know that the stealing of money or any tangible items comes under the purview of
crime and are easy to identify but the stealing of ideas, words, expressions, illustrations,
tables, figures, thoughts are very much too difficult to identify. This type of stealing are
regarded as Plagiarism.
Introduction

 The incorporation of someone else’s work into our own work, with or without their consent
and presenting it as our own without full acknowledgement is known as “PLAGIARISM”. It
may be intentional or unintentional. It is one of the most severe violation of the Academic
writing.
 The English word “Plagiarism” has been derived from the Latin word “Plagiare” means “to
kidnap or abduct”.
 To plagiarize means stealing and passing off the ideas or words of another as one’s own. It is
a literary theft and can be taken as fraud because it contains both elements i.e., stealing
someone else’s work and lying about it afterward.

Different Forms of Plagiarism:-

1. The Potluck Paper :- The writer use different sources and compile them up to create a new
article. Actually only few sentences and paragraphs are changed.
2. The Photocopy :- Some significant portion are taken exactly without making any alteration.
3. The Self-Stealer : – It is not considered as wrong or offence in India as the author has right to
reproduce his own works as he or she wishes to make changes.
4. The Ghost Writer : – It is the exact copy of the work of another. All the words are copied
accrediting to their own name.

Do Plagiarism amount to Fraud or Cheating?

 The copying of another’s ideas without giving credit to the actual owner of the idea is said to
be plagiarism. Plagiarism in normal sense considered as unethical issue but not a CRIME.
 As someone else’s work or ideas are misrepresented as one’s own work, so it amounts to
“Fraud”.
 When the act has been done dishonestly it shows the ingredients of “Cheating”.
 When a substantial portion of the copyrighted work is copied without the permission and
knowledge then it amounts to criminal proceedings.It will amount to both the copyright
infringement and the violation of “special right” of the author to be credited.

Do Paraphrasing amounts to Plagiarism?

 When Paraphrasing is done, the source of the work must be cited to avoid Plagiarism.
Paraphrasing is restating another person’s work in our own way, so the credit must be given
to the real owner of the work.
 We all know that the works created by other people is rightfully their intellectual property
and if we use that work we are bound to acknowledge it. The point that is important here is
that the original sources used in a work must be quoted in order to give due credit to the
source from where it is taken.
 Plagiarism shows the stealing of another person’s intellectual property which includes ideas,
inventions, original work of authorship, words, slogans, design, proprietary information, etc.
 Students must observe academic codes of ethics to avoid all forms of plagiarism. Merely
incorporating the ideas which another writer has expressed without accrediting to that
writer constitutes plagiarism.
Bill Gate has also expressed his views on Plagiarism as an “Intellectual Property Theft”. The
theft of Intellectual Property with the use of computers and internet is on the rise in
contemporary time.

 It is done in three ways :-

1. Stealng with the Web.

2. Sealing within the Web.
3. Stealing from the Web

Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

 Plagiarism invites the charges of copyright infringement in most of the cases. But there is a
difference between plagiarism and copyright infringement. In plagiarism the use of author’s
work is done without giving attribution to him whereas the use of author’s work without the
permission where the work is protected by copyright, it is known as copyright infringement.
Plagiarism is an act related with moral wrong apart from inviting legal action as the the
original author has the moral right to be called the author of the work.

 Plagiarism may occur even without the copyright infringement. Copyright infringement will
occur only if the work that is copied is protected by copyright but the use of a work without
crediting its author would be plagiarism.

Laws concerned with Plagiarism

 The right not to be plagiarised is not recognised by any of the statute in India, but the
section 57 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 gives authors the right to claim authorship of
their works among other things.

 The section 57 of the Indian Copyright Act,1957 grants to the authors the “special right” to
be attributed for their work. It is a moral right and perpetual in nature. The statute
recognises the right to attribution analogous to the rights not to be plagiarised.

 Section 63 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 is considers infringement as the criminal
offence and awards the same punishment for both i.e., the violation of section 57 and the
copyright infringement.

 The convicted infringers are awarded imprisonment that ranges between six months to
three years under section 63 of the Act. They have also compensate in monetary terms for
the act of infringing.

 Section 63 (A) of the same act stipulates an enhanced penalty for second and subsequent
convictions.

Civil Wrongs and Criminal Offences

Plagiarism is actually considered as an unethical conduct of a person and not a crime by

itself.
  The violation of an author’s right to be credited and copyright infringement are both civil
wrongs and criminal charges can also be filed against the violator.

 In case of a civil suit, the remedies that can be awarded are : injunctions to restrain further
infringement, damages, the delivery of accounts of profit and both infringing copies of the
work used to make them. Certain administrative actions may also be taken.

 A convicted infringer is liable to be imprisoned between six months and three years, and to
be fined between fifty thousand and two lakh rupees under section 63 of the Act. The
punishment is enhanced for subsequent convictions.

 Sometimes College and University rules for student conduct takes Plagiarism as an academic
offense and not a legal offense. But this is not the actual case. Plagiarism is not only an
academic offence but also a legal one.

Who will be Liable For Plagiarism?

 One who is claiming the copyright of the work is liable for Plagiarism. Generally, the
Publisher has an exemption clause in the agreement with the Author and says the views are
of the Author only, in that case the Author is Liable and the Publisher can claim immunity. In
other cases both can be prosecuted.
 Plagiarism generally constitutes false claim of authorship regardless of the material
protected by copyright. Hence, the Author is responsible for it when it is concerned with
academic credit. The Publisher is held liable in the case of Copyright infringement. Generally,
the claims of Plagiarism leads to the claim of Copyright Infringement.

Some Misconceptions that Arise

 If the language used in any of the article is completely different from the original article then
it does not infringe the copyright of the original writer but depending upon the
circumstances, the later article may violate the moral right of the author of the original
article to be credited for his work.

 The exclusive rights to reproduce, adapt,translate and publish their work or to allow others
to do so are collectively called “Copyright”. “Self-Plagiarism” is not considered as offence or
wrong in under the Indian Copyright Act,1957 as the author who is the owner of the
copyright has all the rights for reproduction of the work or to make adaptation to the work.

Indian Judiciary and Plagiarism

 The dramatic allegation of plagiarism was made on the Divisional Bench of the Delhi High
Court by the Spicy IP blog on December 1, 2015. The Delhi High Court plagiarised thirty three
paragraphs of its judgment in Roche V. Cipla case from a law review article written by
Swetashree Majumdar and Eashan Ghosh in the Queen Mary Journal of Intellectual
Property. The Delhi High Court acknowledged the truth of the plagiarism report in an order
passed on th 8th December, 2015 and apologised to the authors. The responsibility of the
plagiarism was laid down to an intern who was told to write a precise facts of the case.
“What will happen to the Education System of our Country if the torchbearers who have academic
responsibility on their shoulder are indulge in the activities of plagiarism ????”

Deteriorating Condition of Education System due to plagiarism

 After a lot of cases arising about plagiarism, the regulator of the higher education i.e., UGC
(University Grants Commission) is serious about it and provided guidelines to be followed by
the Universities to check plagiarism in academic activities. Puducherry University has taken
strict measures against plagiarism and dismissed a faculty member guilty of plagiarism. All
these incidents are very unfortunate and disappointing for our current educational standard.
Plagiarism is considered as an academic sin by the Universities all over the world.
 India does not have any particular statutory body to deal with academic plagiarism and the
cases related with plagiarism are often dealt on Ad-Hoc basis depending upon the different
situation and nature of the case.In the era of professionalism, one of the important topic
that needs attention is “Professional Ethics”. If the world starts to copy one another then the
individualism will lose its importance and it will lead to retardation in growth.

Measures Taken or Need to be taken

 The Government of India is planning to make strict law to prevent plagiarism in academics.
The law will consist provisions from warning to deregistration of students and dismissal of
the teacher concerned.

 The people working for the socio-economic and cultural development of the society
facilitates us with enormous inventions and creations which are making our life better and
easier. The need of the hour is to encourage the inventors and the creators. Their work must
be rewarded by suitable legal protection through strict laws otherwise the people working
behind the scene for the development will be at a loss.

Three reasons for copyright protection

 Theme: Protecting your ideas

One of the main types of intellectual property, copyright is automatically applied to any work
that is an original creation and not a duplication.

It is important to note that copyright protects the way an idea is presented, rather than an idea
itself; for instance if it is committed to paper or other piece of media.

So what makes having copyright protection so important? Surely if it happens automatically

you don’t have to worry about it? While it’s true that your work gets automatic protection,
that doesn’t mean that people won’t copy your work for their own gain. Your copyright may
be worth more than you think, so it’s important to properly consider the reasons for keeping
on top of your property.
Your work is an asset

If you have an original idea or piece of creative work, no matter what others may say, it’s still
a potential asset and should be treated as such. Your work can end up having considerable
value in the future and can even potentially be used for financial collateral. There is also the
concept of copyrights as a legacy as they can last for decades, passed down as part of an
estate. For literary, musical or artistic works, copyrights can last a further 70 years after the
death of the original creators death and in broadcast or publishing cases this time period
extends to 50 years.

Protect your rights

If someone infringes your copyright, you will have legal grounds to pursue the guilty party to
either pay you for a license, or compensate you for any financial loss you may have incurred.
If they are using your work without your knowledge, you are well in your rights to stop them
doing so and receive compensation for any earnings they have made off the back of your
work. If you do see that someone is using your work without your knowledge or permission,
we recommend consulting one of our IP experts about what legal recourse you can take.

Licensing is the way forward

If you have copyrighted works that has attracted the interests of other parties, you can explore
your licensing options to make sure you can financially benefit from their use. Licensing is a
legal authorisation from you to another party that permits them to use some (or all) of your
copyrighted works. Licensing is also an effective way to increase the legal protection around
your idea, and can be used as evidence against another party who does not fulfil their part of
the deal or is using your work without permission. The above are just a few broad areas why
you should take an active interest in your intellectual property, even if you think it is already
protected. Copyright infringements happen every day, so stay on top of your intellectual
property protection and take proactive steps to ensure your rights are looked after.

If you’re just setting out in business and you’re concerned that your depth of
understanding of UK copyright laws are inadequate, don’t panic: Our workshop ‘How
does copyright affect my business?’ is geared towards innovators and entrepreneurs
looking to protect their creations, from photography and music to poetry and software.
Our in-depth workshop will demonstrate how copyright is applicable to everything
from your website and business brochures to flyers and any other business collateral
where you may use copyrighted material.

Plagiarism, Copyright, Academia and Commerce

Charles Cronin
Columbia Law School
Ccroni@law.columbia.edu
Presentation given at Colby College, 15 October 2003
Conference on Information Ethics and Academic Honesty
Introduction
The sweeping title of my talk “Plagiarism, Copyright, Academia
and Commerce”
Reflects, I confess, not a successful attempt to weave these
overlapping topics into a
Coherent half-hour discussion, but rather a retreat into
generalities after a realization that
The focus of much of my work that intersects with issues of
plagiarism – namely music
Copyright infringement (which is oriented very much toward
popular music, and the
Commercial sector) – is not readily accommodated within a
discussion of academic
Ethics. And so, in an effort to hew to the subject of today’s
discussion, I plan to bandy
About the first three terms of my title for the balance of my talk,
but the fourth, the
Commercial sphere, and specifically my interest in music
copyright infringement we’ll
Need to postpone for another time.
The topic we consider today, academic honesty, is timely indeed,
as evidenced by
The spate of articles appearing recently in newspapers and
elsewhere, on worrisome
Trends in the behavior and attitudes of students toward plagiarism
and cheating in their
Academic work. Dire statistics, charting, for instance, changes
over time in percentages
Of students who admit to cheating, suggest a sudden and serious
decline in standards of
Morality and decency among undergraduates in particular. I’m
skeptical of implications
4
Copyright infringement involves the unauthorized copying of
copyrightable
Material – i.e. Original expression, not facts. Copyright law does
not require that the
Infringer attempt to pass the material off as his own – in fact, in
cases of blatant piracy
The infringer often hopes to pass the material off as that of
another, i.e. The true author –
As do those engaged in forgery.
Copyright vests automatically in works of authorship from the
moment they are
Fixed in any tangible medium of expression, giving the author
(and his heirs) the
Exclusive right to reproduce, adapt, distribute, perform, and
display the work for their life
Plus 70 years following the death of the author. The U.S.
copyright statute preempts any
Attempt by the states to regulate in this area, and all copyright
disputes are handled by
Federal courts.
Plagiarism involves taking the product of another’s intellectual
work and
Misattributing it as one’s own. That the original creator may have
authorized such taking
Has no effect on whether it constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism
may involve copying
Factual or public domain material (e.g. Out-of-copyright
materials or federal government
Publications); it does not necessarily involve taking copyrighted
material, and even when
It does, the taking in many of cases involving academic work is
not actionable as
Copyright infringement because fair use principles would apply.
Plagiarism is neither a
Tort nor a crime -- it is an ethical, not a legal offense.
Accordingly, courts never handle
Plagiarism disputes; academic authorities do so, typically by
attempting to interpret and
Enforce wispy honor codes.
5
Let’s suppose I am given an exercise in an Environmental Science
course to
Compile a list of all the deciduous trees on the Colby campus. My
list (assuming it is
Correct) contains purely factual, and not copyrightable,
information. If my roommate
Copies my assignment and turns it in under his name, he has
plagiarized my work, but he
Is not liable for copyright infringement. My assignment becomes
copyrightable only
After it loses its purely factual cast by my adding to it expressive
material, like unsolicited
Poetic responses to the colors of particular trees, or an
idiosyncratic approach to the
Organization and presentation of the information. If I grant my
roommate permission to
Copy my expressive assignment and turn it in as his own, neither
of us has violated the
Copyright law, although my roommate is responsible for
plagiarism, and I have
Undoubtedly breached Colby’s policy (I assume one exists) on
impermissible
Collaboration.
Like my list of trees, which may have taken hours to compile,
answers to statistics
Or physics problem sets, completed foreign language grammar
worksheets, biology lab
Reports, and other factual and quantitative academic work
products are offered no
Protection under copyright law. In other words, undergraduate
work product that is
Arguably the most intellectually challenging to produce (it was
for me) is provided the
Least copyright protection (e.g. Lab reports and problem sets).
Moreover, while it is the
Easiest information to copy, the plagiarism of it is the most
difficult to detect.
6
A Commercial Response to Academic Plagiarism
Uncertainties about the legal status of plagiarism, and
commonalities between
Plagiarism and copyright infringement, have been capitalized
upon by those with a vested
Interest in promoting the notion of plagiarism as a rampant
problem – in particular
Commercial ventures like turnitin.com, selling products that
purport to detect and
Discourage plagiarism. Let’s turn
Them
In.
Borrowing officious terminology from law and medicine (e.g.
“epidemic” of
Plagiarism; “crime” of plagiarism) profit-seeking enterprises like
this conflate plagiarism
With copyright infringement in a bid to add legal taint and a more
threatening tone to
Academic plagiarism. The implication from such borrowing is
that this is no longer a
Matter merely for dithering academic authorities, but also for
federal judges and perhaps
Prison wardens as well! Astonishing too, at least with the turnitin
product, is the fact that
Customers are not only charged to use it, but are also compelled
in doing so to contribute
To the product’s development by submitting students’ work
(much of which
Is
Copyrightable) to the product’s database, thereby making the
product potentially more
Valuable (which means, in turn, that the merchant can capitalize
on this network
Externality to charge more for it over time).
7
Let’s consider a few of the inaccurate statements about plagiarism
and copyright
That one finds in the Frequently Asked Questions portion of the
turnitin.com site.
2
FAQ:
What is plagiarism?
ANSWER: Any time you borrow from an original source and do
not give proper credit,
You have committed plagiarism and violated U.S. copyright laws
THE TRUTH:
False!
Copyright law has nothing to do with crediting sources; crediting
An author in no way exonerates one of copyright infringement
liability. At the same time,
One can freely use great quantities of expressive material without
permission, without
Attribution, and without liability for copyright infringement if the
use involves a public
Domain source, or constitutes a fair use.
FAQ: Can facts be copyrighted?
ANSWER: Yes, in some situations. Any “facts” that have been
published as the result of
Individual research are considered the intellectual property of the
author.
THE TRUTH:
False!
Title 17 USC Sec102(b) on subject matter of copyright:
In no case does copyright protection for an original work of
authorship extend to
Any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation,
concept, principle, or
Discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described,
explained, illustrated, or
Embodied in such a work. [In other words: copyright protects
only an author’s
Expression of an idea or arrangement of facts – but never the
underlying ideas or
Facts themselves.]
2
Last consulted October 10, 2003.
See
Http://www.turnitin.com/research_site/e_faqs.html
8
FAQ: What are the punishments for plagiarism?
ANSWER: “Legal Punishments” Most cases of plagiarism are
considered misdemeanors,
Punishable by fines of anywhere between $100 and $50,000 – and
up to one year in jail...
If you can demonstrate...that you reasonably believed what you
did was fair use, chances
Are that your sentence will be lessened substantially. [emphases
added]
TRUTH:
False!
Plagiarism isn’t a crime of any sort. If turnitin is actually referring
here
To copyright infringement and not plagiarism, the possibility of
criminal charges arises
Only when there is willful infringement and a clear intent to make
money at the expense
Of the rightful copyright owner (or undermine the owner’s
normal revenue stream) -- in
Other words, where systematic, large-scale piracy of profitable
software or entertainment
Is involved. Jail sentences are an issue only in the most egregious
cases, and are rarely
Imposed.
I consider products like turnitin.com nice examples of silicon
snake oil – smoke
And mirrors mechanical processes that hold the promise of
relieving instructors of their
Responsibility to take reasonable measures to prevent plagiarism,
and to know their fields
And their students well enough to detect it when it occurs.
9
Recommendations
Permit me one parable. Last summer I attended Music at
Marlboro concerts in
Vermont (by the way, they are invariably superb). Driving the
byways in the area around
Marlboro I brought our ’93 Ford Taurus (since, sadly, deceased)
to a sudden stop in front
Of an unattended roadside stand stocked with fresh raspberries
and a Mason jar with some
Cash and a little sign asking customers to help themselves and
simply place money owed
In the Mason jar. Not being Hansel, or my wife Gretel, it took
little effort for us to
Conclude:
1. Someone invested effort to produce and package this product.
2. That person expected to keep the product or to be paid for their
effort.
3. I had a moral and legal obligation to pay for any raspberries I
took.
4. Those obligations would hold even if the stand had been placed
on the
Marlboro village green, and not on private property.
My point, of course, is that one can extrapolate from this vignette
involving
Tangible property, a consensus as to appropriate modes of
conduct involving intangible
Property, namely the intellectual work product of another,
whether a recording of a
Performance by the Spice Girls, or answers to an undergraduate
physics homework
Problem set. (I realize I’m stretching credulity in mentioning the
Spice Girls as a
Producer of intellectual work product.) And, I’m confident that
my conclusions in
10
Marlboro comport with those of law’s “ordinary man” and in no
way indicate a too finely
Calibrated moral compass.
About academic plagiarism I think most of us, undergraduates
included, would
Subscribe to Justice Potter Stewart’s oft-mentioned comment
about pornography – “I
Know it when I see it,” – and I would like to wrap up with a few
suggestions as to how we
Might mitigate the potential for academic plagiarism, particularly
by undergraduates, in
The digital era:
1. Exams
For lecture courses give proctored, closed book exams. Proctors
aren’t
Demeaning, they’re reassuring; and nothing inspires student panic
more than open book
Exams. I would recommend that undergraduate instructors take
their cue from legal
Education where exams are the norm in most courses, and where
plagiarism and cheating
Is generally not a serious problem, in part because the stakes are
so high – different
Grades mean different jobs and salaries – and tolerance for it so
low.
2. Term Papers.
Reserve paper assignments for seminars where instructors can
work on
Progressive drafts of students’ work, and thereby become familiar
with their students’
Styles. Incorporate oral presentations into seminars as much as
possible. A piano teacher
Once rightly told me: “if you can sing it, you can play it; i’ve
found that if you can speak
11
It, you can write it.” In any event, when you are on your feet,
compelled to use your own
Words, plagiarism can’t help.
3. Pen and paper. (I realize that I am going out on a limb here...)
The low-tech solution. In the late ‘80s, when I worked in the
Copyright Office,
Daniel Boorstein, the Librarian of Congress at the time,
mentioned in an informal
Presentation that he could always identify something written on a
word processor because
It was twice as long as it should have been. (I think he used a
manual Smith Corona, but
Was spectacularly prolific). As recently as 10 years ago when I
was a graduate student in
Musicology, fellow students, foreigners in particular, would turn
in handwritten term
Papers. Requiring handwritten drafts won’t necessarily obviate
plagiarism, but at a
Minimum it will ensure that those who do plagiarize will learn
something in the process
Of hand copying – which they will not if they cut and paste
electronic text. Handwritten
Documents have an aura of intimacy, immediacy and authenticity
that is entirely lost in
Typeface.
Conclusion
Plagiarism by students may be a significant, and possibly
growing, concern, but
While we’re discussing academic honesty, it might be worth
mentioning another ethical
Quandary in academia that shifts our attention from students to
instructors – namely
Favoritism. When I was a graduate student I once met with a
group of undergraduates
Seeking advice on academic careers in musicology. The only
meaningful advice (other
12
Than “get out while you can!”) Came from a fellow graduate
student whose dead-pan
Recommendation was: “sleep with the faculty.”
Her sensational suggestion had the ring of truth to it. My
impression is that the
Covert advancement of students (graduate students mainly) based
upon personal
Characteristics and extra-academic relationships (frequently
sexual) is as demoralizing as
Is plagiarism to students who are not personally entangled with
instructors while enrolled
In college or university. (I recall reading years ago, from that
literary treasure, Mad
Magazine, a riff on “people not to trust,” that sagely included on
the list “classmates who
Talk to the teacher after class.”) Anonymous grading at law
schools addresses this
Problem, and I wish such policies were adopted by educators in
other disciplines.
I was heartened to read of the University of California’s
draconian
“zero–tolerance” policy toward faculty-student romances,
realizing that the greatest
Beneficiaries of it will not necessarily be those students whose
romantic entanglements
With faculty members have gone sour, but may be, in fact, the
majority of students who
Do not become personally involved with their instructors.
3
But, this is a matter for
Another conference, and so i’ll conclude with thanks to you for
your kind attention, and to
Michael Hanrahan in particular for his excellent work, and for
inviting me to participate
In the discussion today.
3
Sara Rimer, “Love on Campus: Trying to Set Rules for the Emotions,” New
York Times, Sec. B, p. 8
(October 1, 2003