Plagiarism - You can do Something About it... Copyright ©2000 Rochester Institute of Technology, Wallace Library Wallace Library
Table of Contents Copyright: examples, proper use Fair Use Plagiarism / Detection Paraphrasing exercise When in Doubt - Cite
Copyright / Plagiarism Web site html This site will give you examples of copyright plagiarism and easy fixes.
Copyright - set of laws “To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings & discoveries." Article I, Section 8, U.S. Constitution (1789) [online] Oct : Note: Copyright protection extends to all forms of intellectual property and exists as soon as the work is put into a fixed form. Registration is not a requirement for copyright protection.
What is Copyrightable? Any work original in its creation* Includes: words, symbols, music, pictures, three-dimensional objects (or a combination of these)* Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. (1886). Website. [2000 June 5] rn.htm
Specific Examples Books Journal / Magazine articles Newspapers / Pamphlets Photographs / Graphics Audio / Video Music Web Sites / Databases / Software Company Logos / Trademarks
Proper use of Copyrighted Materials Free Use / Public DomainPublic Domain By Permission / Open Permission Licensing Citing Item Fair Use
Public Domain Work published after copyright lasts for life of the author +70 years Works created prior to 1923 are in the public domain Copyright / Plagiarism Website has more specific information Copyright / Plagiarism Website Fair Use... outside realm of Public domain
Fair Use 1. Purpose & Character of the Use - commercial or educational 2. Nature - creative or factual 3. Amount & Substantiality - portion used 4. Effect of the Use - on potential market Harper, Georgia. (1998). Fair Use of Copyrighted Materials. UT Austin Web site. [2000 October 31 ypol2.htm#test
Copying Materials Serendipity Clause - article or part of book may be copied & distributed to students *one time only*
Wallace Library Reserves Articles removed after 4 quarters No course packs from databases Copied materials- complete citation & notice of copyright Password protection
Plagiarism - act of copyright infringement Using another person’s work improperly OR without giving credit - tantamount to stealing A fact must be common knowledge not to be cited
Why do Students Plagiarize? - some common reasons - Workload / School stress GPA Self Defense - everyone does it – Ignorance – poor citation-building skills – lack of paraphrasing skills – when / how to use quotations – idea that everything on the WWW is common knowledge
Methods of Plagiarism lifting all or part(s) of another's work adapting or incorrect paraphrasing (minor changes) paraphrasing without proper documentation – misuse of quotations – All of the above made easier electronically with "copy and paste” technology, term paper Websites, proliferation of information
The WWW Encourages CheatingEase of using and finding information: Choices - papers, articles, graphics Speed - easy and quick to find False Anonymity - no one will know Copy and paste syndrome - easy to patch together a paper...
When in Doubt - Cite Use appropriate citation form (MLA, APA) Compile bibliography while doing research If you are unsure --- ask your instructor, librarian, or go to html html