Nonsense Discussions and Plagiarized Ones
By JC1969
@JC1969 (1224)
United States
December 9, 2006 1:14am CST
I was really thrilled when myLot decided to crack down on the numerous discussion posts that had very little to say, and were not of any quality--nonsense. However, what I have seen recently is the new trend of people who cannot respond with their own words. They are copying and pasting articles they find on other online sites and trying to pass them off as their own. This is called plagiarism. If you do not give the correct credit to the original author or the credit to the original site you found these articles on, you are illegally using the information.
I’ve also noticed another trend. Some of the people floating around myLot are also using these stolen clips of articles to respond to discussion; yet, the information they have stolen from another site has nothing to do with the discussion they have posted the response to.
I believe some are finally understanding that quality keywords and keyword phrases will help them make more money on here, which is why they are searching out these well written articles on topics and trying to pass them off as their own.
Plagiarism is illegal, and I suggest that myLot start cracking down on that next. I am guessing that many have not read the do’s and don’t page, because it specifically states that using copyrighted articles is indeed a don’t.
How do you all feel about people stealing articles from other sites and passing it off as their own writing?Do you think those who do this should lose their myLot account?
33 responses
@BunGirl (2638)
• United States
9 Dec 06
The only time I copy and paste is when I use "" and give reference to where the info came from. I think it is unfortunate, but I doubt there is much MyLot can do about plagiarists. Of course, you are always welcome to hit the ! button on any plagiarized post and send MyLot a message about it. That's what I do when I see such things!
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Yeah, I do the same. I think it is a real problem on here. When myLot went and put a stop to the nonsense discussions, those that frequently posted them had to find another way to try and make money on mylot. So, since they couldn't write before, they now search for articles and post them. I don't think myLot should be paying them for plagiarized work.
There is nothing wrong with quoting an article and giving the reference source.
Thanks for stopping by and responding.
@airbone (92)
• India
9 Dec 06
good to see u guys comin out n agreein!
it amazes me to see the crap that sum ppl write here..
newas wat i can do is assure u that ur not gonna get CRAP from me....EVER...
so i've started this KEEP-IT-REAL discussion!
whr everyone promises to THINK-n-TYPE...the more ppl we get, the more assured we are of gettin decent stuff!
join up n swear urself in!
CHEERS!
Aron.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
10 Dec 06
Is it not amazing, that we are all having a wonderful and peaceful discussion about plagiarism on myLot, and some bozo (john4u) comes along and spams my discussion with a possible means of scamming people on myLot. I wonder how many people actually have fallen for this person's scam.
I ask you all to please boycott this person's discussions, do not send him any money for his autoresponder, because you don't need one. I've made more than he has with less responses made. The key is not an autoresponder, its quality discussions, responses, and quality keywords and keyword phrases that are contained in your discussions and responses that will allow you to see a change in what you can make.
Please, everyone give this bozo, john4u, a negative rating so that hopefully he will not receive anything for the nonsense and possible scam he is running. I've reported him to myLot.
Thanks
@deidraisrad (71)
• United States
9 Dec 06
i disklike the people who have actually copied my discussion and pasted it as a response. that is one of the reasons i want to be able to delete them. and then there are the articles. they should just link it instead of posting all of it. i think these people should get penalized for it.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
As long as you mention that the words you wrote are not yours, and give the information where a person reading it can find the actual and original, then you are not plagiarizing. The key is to cover your behind by always giving proper credit and source of the words you quote if they are word for word.
@Jshean20 (14349)
• Canada
10 Dec 06
I've noticed a lot of people have been plagiarizing too, mostly with news articles. I've been using news articles for discusson starter ideas, but I put what I read into my own words and make it as brief as possible. If people are going to use articles from the internet they need to state their source as well to give credit to the person who actually wrote the article. Good discussion thread I would say!! Hopefully more people will realize that copying and pasting from websites is a "Don't" with mylot.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
10 Dec 06
I wish it would catch on with more and more people. But, this community has grown so fast and I don't think everyone reads the writing guidelines, and even more do not understand what plagiarism and even copyright infringement means. That is a big problem around here, that and the fact that too many think they are going to get rich fast on myLot, so, it becomes necessary for them to find quick easy ways to post non-stop.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
9 Dec 06
i agree with you... if they can't write or too lazy to write, then don't respond to discussions and don't expect to get paid... stealing other people's ideas is really bad and yes i think mylot should do something about it...
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Thanks for stopping by this discussion, and you are right it would be nice if myLot could do something to prevent this type of behavior. But, unfortunately, this forum has expanded so fast, and there are just way to many people who have joined. There is no real screening done when you join, and there is know pre-requiste to joining this forum.
Few probably even read the writing guidelines when they join.
So, it becomes up to those with writing ethics to report those we discover engaging in this behavior. Also, make sure you use the rating system so these individuals do not get paid for stealing.
@raj0019 (2623)
• Argentina
9 Dec 06
i was talking about this topic week ago, check it out http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/357913.aspx
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Copying and Pasting is a big problem on myLot. I am not sure if disabling the copy and paste function on here will do anything to stop this. It may limit people from stealing the words of others who are posting on here, but it won't stop them from copying and pasting from an outside of myLot site, and using it here, and not stating that they got it from another source. There are numerous individuals on here who are stealing copyrighted material from other websites and trying to call it their own, and they are making money from mylot by doing this.
I wish it was as simple as blocking the copy and paste feature.
Thanks for stopping by and replying.
@samaira (162)
• India
10 Dec 06
firstly i m a new user..so no idea about all this..but yes copying from other sites n pasting them here is really unfair...hey if u don't have to say anything or if u don't have much to say just say watever u feel like...i mean no matter how small it is...if it is just 2words also..say it out coz its ur opiniion...why try all silly stuff
@banta78 (4326)
• India
9 Dec 06
I think that mylot administration did a very good job of removing nonsesse discussions who were answering only yes or no types discussions and creating them and there was no rational input. but i agree with you that there is copy and paste thing started with now mylot admin. rightly rewarding quality discussions. i think with time this will also end as everybody reports to mylot administration about such people and posts. Besides i hope we can quote or refer to other articles but never copy and paste thing, that is surely not done. I surely hope our alertness and mylot admin. activenesss to tackle the issue will go a long way in really rewarding orginal quality discussions.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
10 Dec 06
There is nothing wrong with quoting and referring people to a link. We just must always make sure to give credit to the original site and/or person that wrote the original piece. It is illegal to try and pass off someone else's written work as your own, especially when you are trying to make money off of it. Remember the original author was paid for those words and by law you would have to pay the original site, and or author to be able to use their words. If you don't ask permission or you don't give the original author credit for writing the article, then you are stealing.
I hope you are right and quality will start being rewarded, and weeding out those that illegally steal other peoples writings will begin.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I have been wondering why I started seeing long posts on here even for Discussions that you know came from somewhere else, and continue to get Credit for it? I know one site I used to Write for, if this happened, you would get Banned from that site if caught. Maybe myLot needs to change some of their policies to Stop some of it here as well? I guess they get busy taking care of the other, and may focus on this soon?
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I think it has to be extremely hard for them to monitor this site since it has grown in popularity, and they rely on their membership to police the site and report violators.
I just can't stand seeing these people get away with it and possibly are being paid for plagiarism, if they haven't been reported.
Thanks for stopping by the discussion and adding your insight.
@R3fl3XioN (3187)
• France
9 Dec 06
I find that to copy/past discussions or messages is bad! In spite of my bad English I try to speak most correctly possible.
@GardenGerty (157545)
• United States
9 Dec 06
Good for you. I bet your English improves by using myLot. Glad you are here.
@iloveit (316)
• Canada
9 Dec 06
there is nothing wrong with people putting information here quoted. If you look at this, writing here whole day would probably earn you 5-6 dollars. which would come up to $1 an hour if someone spend 10 hours writing here. dont you think it would be better for them to go and work in Walmart or McDonalds or even do cheap labor, atleast they would get minimum wage. so its expected that some will post info from other sites but if they quote its ok. No one is master in all topics discussed here, are you ?
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
10 Dec 06
If anyone is seriously here thinking they are going to make a salary, versus a little something, then they are living in an unrealistic fog.
You are right they should go out and get a job, but there is no excuse for stealing an article from somewhere else and not giving credit to the original author. It is plagiarism and it is a crime. Do you realize that someone else worked hard to write those words, and unless you contact them and ask to use it, or you pay them to use it, you can get into trouble. Now if you want to state who the original author was or just leave the link to where it can be found, then you are not engaging in plagiarism or copyright infringement.
The problem here is there are many who are not quoting and giving link or credit to the original authors or websites, they are passing it off as their own.
If I am not a master in a topic, I will not respond to it, or I will research it and write a response in my own words, or I will give a link to where the person can find the proper help. I do writing for a living, and I will not steal someone else's words. I wouldn't want someone to steal mine either.
@hassei_takano (1411)
• Indonesia
10 Dec 06
Umh... maybe because many ppl oriented only for money. So they don;t care about 'originality' of speak. Hmm I can;t xplain it well. But I agree if we use other people comment pls use " " at their words and let peole know the original author.
Respct other by use that sign. ^^
I don;t like stolen comment or copy paste article without put original author. Maybe mylot should make new rules about it
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
10 Dec 06
It is actually already a rule on myLot's writing guidelines. We are not allowed to use other people's articles and copyrighted articles, unless we properly get permission, or leave the link or information to where the original can be found. It is okay to do that and write a discussion based around or inspired by something we read, but if we use a portion of that original article we must quote it and source it back to the original person or site.
@sj_chaudhry (1537)
• Canada
10 Dec 06
yeah you are right i also noticed such things over here. and it really sucks. you know once i was reading one dicussion posting and literally it was all copied from one news article and i was stunned because i heared and read it before. it is really disgusting, mylot should take action on such things.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
10 Dec 06
The only way myLot can take action is if we are vigilant and report these individuals. There is nothing wrong with creating a discussion based on a news article a person reads, but to actually use the article without giving credit and sourcing it to the original author and venue, then they are engaging in plagiarism, which is illegal.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
So, you wouldn't mind if you wrote content for a website you own or a website that pays you to write for them, and found out someone stole your words and didn't pay you for rights to use it, or give you credit? See, from a writer's perspective, I would be really angry if I found out someone didn't pay me to use my copyrighted articles, and were trying to pass them off as their own no less. See plagiarism and copyright infringement are illegal and people can be sued for doing it. The reason myLot includes this as a "Don't" in their writers guidelines is because they know that they can be held responsible for the members who do this.
Thanks for stopping by and giving your take on this.
@Force_Fed (745)
• United States
9 Dec 06
The best we can do is report them when we see posts like this. They can't possible watch the massive flow of posts themselves. I doubt they could handle the reports if we all sent them every violation we saw.
Force
@icequeen (2840)
• Canada
9 Dec 06
I think it is totally ridiculous. If you don't have enough brains to answer the posts yourself...and in your own words than you shouldn't be on this site...and yes...I think they should lose thier account..because it just ruins the site and efforts of everyone else...
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
In a perfect world, we should be able to trust people to be honest. However, when you put together a site like this that is willing to pay people to create discussions about anything, you also open the flood-gates for dishonest people who want to make some quick money, to try and scam the system. Think about it, a person could put a word in a search engine and bring up numerous sites, steal a snip of content, and post it as their discussion, and get paid for it. This forum has grown big, and it is difficult for admin to probably check everyone's post for copyright infringement and plagiarism. They have to hope that some of us will spot it and report it.
@mytwo_daughters (2663)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I've never done that, but have seen posts where that stuff is done. I just skim over that and have nothing to do with that post. I don't want anything to do with that. Speaking of plagerizing...it is a huge problem. So is copyright infringement. For instance, you can not just copy a periodical article without permission of the author, yet thousands of us do it. I say us, because I know I've done it without thinking. Plagerism though...I don't know...I wouldn't want to be caught doing both...Why can't people respond with their own thoughts. Who is anyone to judge?
@harshadod (858)
• India
9 Dec 06
Your concern is well noted. Plagiarism is a serious problem. I am also guilty of it in the strictest sense. The intention has never been to claim it as my original. The guilt is of not having acknowledged in the right fashion.
One of the ways I find topic for the discussions was to read the news paper and begin discussions to new items which made me think. One way this is stealing for I stole the idea from somewhere.
I have cut pasted but given links to the site.
For works borrowed from NASA, i have acknowledged NASA.
I will be more vigilant and of course acknowledge.
I also use wikipedia a lot and now have a moral dilemma regarding using work from there.
But this post has woken me up. Thanks.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
If you get your idea from a news article, it is entirely possible to create a thought provoking discussion in your own words based on the article you read. You can summarize in your own words and mention that you read an article and give the name of the paper you read it in, and even date.
You can use a quoted snip of content you find on wikipedia or other websites, as long as you give the link to that website, and do not try to pass it off as your own words.
I am glad this has enlightened you.
@certified_alice (1854)
• Philippines
9 Dec 06
we can still give them a chance by deducting their earnings than be banned, we are kind here aren't we? but still in the second time they do it then they must be banned, lol! that is spamming and no one tolerates spamming. too bad that some people do plagiarism just to earn here and we quality posters just doing our best and keep our mind working by posting relevant response and topics here. they must be punished i think:) thank you
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
what we are talking about here is not spamming, we are talking about plagiarism, which is a real crime that can land someone in a lawsuit if a website finds out that their copyrighted content is being stolen and used by someone on this site, and credit is not given to the original website it came from. This is serious, and the reason myLot even has it as one of their writers guidelines is they know that it is illegal and the ramifications can be costly to them.
So, no warnings, because when you sign up you are supposed to read the writing guidelines and you should know that this practice is illegal.
@bilalalikhan1 (270)
• India
9 Dec 06
well i think u r absolutely right.such people shud be punished in some way.
removing their accounts on mylot will be a very big punishment, but i think first they shud be warned, or maybe there shud be some cutting in their earnings.
But i dont support straight away removing their accounts.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
9 Dec 06
I think these people are a liability to mylot, and if some website finds out their content, which is copyrighted, is being stolen by members of myLot, then myLot may also get into some legal trouble. This is why myLot needs to take this serious and remove these people. Also, myLot clearly states in their rules for writing guideline as one of their Don'ts is you cannot copy and paste from other websites without citing the source. They are well aware that this is illegal.
