Nickers and Ink: On Writing Copy-Wrongs

Saturday

On Writing Copy-Wrongs

On Writing Copy-Wrongs

Web writers are cringing – all over the blogosphere. Last month, Monica Gaudio learned that an article she had copyrighted and published in 2005, titled “A Tale of Two Tarts,” had been copied and reposted (read: plagiarized) by an editor at Cook’s Source.

Confronted, Cook’s Source editor Judith Griggs apparently rebuked Monica Gaudio, claiming that anything published on the internet was public domain and fair game.

Here’s a quote, cited (and attributed to Cook’s Source editor Judith Grigg) on Monica’s own blog:

“But honestly Monica, the web is considered ‘public domain’ and you should be happy we just didn't ‘lift’ your whole article and put someone else's name on it! It happens a lot, clearly more than you are aware of, especially on college campuses, and the workplace.”

In addition, Judith Griggs supposedly told Monica Gaudio that her original article had required considerably editing, for which the writer ought to remunerate the errant editor.

Not so!

Finally, Cook’s Source issued an apology to Monica Gaudio and took down the pirated copy.

As a web writer (with several thousands of copyrighted and published titles and photographs online), I am personally frustrated and professionally alarmed to find my own material reprinted without my permission and sans licensing every week. Of course, legal measures may be taken after such infractions occur.

Still, we have to wonder … didn’t these copy pirates learn anything about sourcing in school? Aaaargh!

The Cook’s Outsource

(Limericked Signs on Plagiarized Lines)

As writers, by fits and by starts,

We publish our liberal arts.

Dear Monica G,

How could one foresee

The piracy cooked up by tarts?

Your history/recipe cute,

Reprinted as forbidden fruit –

Raised heckles and harm

To sound an alarm.