Plagiarism | Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Copyright

May 4, 2023
mandyevebarnett

We celebrated Copyright Day on 23rd April, but what does it actually mean?

Copyrights are an important part of securing your work against a number of things, such as plagiarism. It allows you to take legal action against anybody, who has copied or reproduced your work without consent. It is a lifetime protection, although generally, copyrights last for the life of the author, or the remainder of the calendar year in which the author dies, and then for 70 years following the end of that calendar year.

So why copyright?

1. It’s beneficial to have your work on record when you register

Registering your book with the copyright office provides you exclusive rights.

2. It prevents others from copying your work

Copyrighting your book legally protects you if someone tries to steal ideas, characters, plot, or any likeness from your work.

3. You cannot sue for copyright infringement unless your book is registered

If someone does steal from you, you cannot do anything about it unless you registered your book.

4. You can produce derivative content related to your copyrighted book

Since you own the rights to your characters, story, and anything unique to your work, you have the freedom to produce more content related to it.

5. Your work can be performed or displayed publicly

If you apply for copyright, you have the freedom to use your book in any public way you wish since you own it. You don’t have to worry about someone else using your work in a public way without your permission.

So in essence all your writing is covered under copyright.

If you are unsure investigate with your publisher or the platform you are publishing with.

Ask A Question Thursday

February 28, 2019
mandyevebarnett

What do you think is the most unethical practice in the writing community?

Is it plagiarism, ‘vanity’ publishing companies, copyright violations or something else?

What is your view or experience?

ethics3

Last weeks question:

Have any of your past loves inspired characters in your books?

Did you tell them?

What aspect of the relationship did you use?

pamelaallegretto

No. I don’t like to kiss and tell.

I’m sure you will join me in asking the obvious question of Pamela! Oh do tell….!

Please comment in the section below for today’s question. If you would like to contribute to another Thursday question please go to that blog post and comment there.

Thank you

Stealing is NOT Cool…

May 2, 2013
mandyevebarnett

Proviso – definition: a stipulation or condition Unfortunately some of us have been the victim of plagiarism. The definition – Plagiarism is the “wrongful appropriation” and “purloining and publication” of another author‘s “language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions,” and the representation of them as one’s own original work However, this definition only skims the surface of the hurt, anger and frustration a writer feels when their hard work and endeavors are wrongfully stolen. Many of us have warnings on our blogs and websites in the hope to deter these parasites. Whoever steals has no moral fiber in my book. I have recently applied a new safeguard called Copyscape but of course there are numerous other systems you can use. Have you got one or two you would recommend? This article raises some questions as well as answers others but is geared to screenplays and movie scripts primarily. However the tips are quite useful. http://www.entertainmentcareers.net/qa/write/protection.asp This super graphic is from: http://libguides.uwf.edu Another link gives tips as well: http://www.ehow.com/how_5144486_avoid-plagiarism-steps.html Recently I was inspired by a fellow blogger’s photographs of a series of windows. Before I even wrote a word or posted anything I asked permission to use them. The windows inspired a short story, which can be found on 26th April. It is a matter of courtesy apart from anything else to ask the artist if they are willingly to let you use their work, whether it is visual, written or otherwise. Quotations must be attributed to their source and so should any work you are siting. Let’s protect each other and report any stolen work as soon as we discover it. Our community is strong, we can defeat the thieves.