In high school you are taught that if you use some resource in the course of writing a paper, you must cite your souce. What is citing? It is giving the orgional creator of the idea, concept, or image the credit for having been the creator. In college, it is on EVERY course sylalbus. Failure to comply with your Universty's policies in regards to citation of sources is called Academic Dishonesty (at least at my University, I am sure that many terms are around to say the same thing) and the price you pay for acaedmic dishonesty is being thrown out of the university, fined, and really black listed in the academic community as a cheater, a theif, someone who took the lazy way out.
Look at the current issue of music and video downloading online. People are actually being sued for downloading media online without paying for it. Artists are stepping up to defend what is their property, their livelyhood.
So why do some people (quite a few, disturbingly and depressingly) on Gather applaud and celebrate the obvious Plagiarists? We say "yay! Good job!" "Amazing picture here's a 10!" and "Oh wow you're an amazing photographer", to people who ADMIT to posting content that is not theirs. A blanket statment on your profile or an article posted way back when saying that you post "things that aren't yours" does not count for a citation. If I were to put "Yeah sometimes in this paper, I used journal articles written by other people" as my works citied, my college professors would probably beat me with a citation manual. Or at least question my sanity.
Every document you post that is not your own you must cite the source, or else it is plagiarisim. Plagiarism is not always intentional, sometimes people are ignorant of the need for an acknowledgment of the orgional creator. But if you have a blanket statment on your profile saying "most of this work isn't mine" you're acknowledging that you are aware that a citation is needed.
So what if you don't know who created the image / article? There are ways of citing unknown authors in research (mostly used for historical documents that lack an author name) but on the internet it is best to just not post that content.
If people want to see pictures of nature or cities or what have you there are plenty of Amazing Orgional Photography Here on Gather, created by our friends, the members and backbone of this site. And even if you aren't a globe trotting amazing professional photographer (I wish I could be like Spartan! LOL He has the good life!) any picture that a gather member posts is special. I don't care if you post a picture of an unknown squishy brown mold you found on a rock or photo essay on how to make a bologna sandwich, or an article on clipping your toe nails or a video of the static channel on TV pointing out the obvious shapes you see. . . IT IS CREATED BY YOU! and is worth 100000 times more than some random, un cited stock photo someone posted.
I close this with a sincere thank you to everyone of you that posts orgional content. I don't care if you are a gamer, a game hater, a snarky social commentator, professional photographer, shutterbug or just trying to make a few points. . . I truely apreciate you taking the time to share with me and the rest of the site, something that means something to you.
I was going to leave a list of "must see" photographers that I see on here, but I couldn't bring myself to pick. Many of you have helped me along since I joined in August and I couldn't ask for a more creative, artistic and expressive group of people.
Nothing makes me more mad then when I check out the top whatever lists and find stockphotos, and other non original content. It just burns me up to see your work, the work of all honest gather members, shadowed by unorgional, uncited stock photos.
Long Live the Gather Original Content Posters!
(oh and if you would like to make your own wanted poster, check out Glassgiant.com The unsuspecting man in the picture was part of security when Paul and I went to a WWE Event back in November and was taken by ME with my Panasonic Lumix dmc fz8. This rant was inspired by Angela M's Rant )
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Comments: 69
Since Gather is so hell-bent on positive comments, I usually skip over something that looks plagerized ("If you can't say something nice, don't say nuthin at all"), especially a photograph or drawing (mostly because I am more familiar with those formats). Sometimes, if I'm feeling a bit braver, I may say something like, "Did you take that?" on ONE of a series of copy jobs. And I NEVER rate something that is lifted from somewhere else. Comments and even down-rating a copyright violation get the violater points they did not earn. I don't want to do that.
I often wonder why people who don't own cameras would join a creative web site and post stolen photos. I understand writers don't need to post photos although some do and post really interesting ones.
Unfortunately there are too many here on Gather who are here just to scam points from Gather for gift cards - SAD
I enjoy the community feel of Gather and enjoy being part of that community.
Thank you for posting this to Best Original Photos, Art, Video and Writing for 2008
Anyone that posts anything here should know that from elementary school. If they didn't know it before, they know it now.
Thanks, Heather, for reminding all gatherers of the legalities of recreating copyrighted work.
I have even seen people post "their" poetry that is either ripped off from some other site online or a blant rehash of a famous poem. When you enter a line from the poem and it comes up the exact same poem 30 times on google I'mma guess it's not theirs, especially when its posted by 30 different people.
My beef is with people who post uncited pictures that make the content seem to be of their creation and from their dishonesty they are gaining income.
using free use images and sound bites is alright as long as they're acknowledged as such and not claimed to be original content
Ive seen so many of the same stock photos on here. And alot of times the people dont put in any caption,Not evn to credit the original photographer who took it! I think its just people hunting for points and not really caring about what gather is all about. There just in it for the points, Which are a perk of gather but it shoudnt be the only reason why you are on here!
Lalaland
Click on the link above to join. See you in La La Land.
I post my own work. Some of it is good, some is so-so, some is FANTASTIC... but it's mine. And my paintings from original photos are my photos and my paintings. :-) If I post anything I didn't do, I'll let readers know.
I'd like to think that the majority of photos I comment on were taken by the Gather member, but alas, I'm sure some slip by that were uncited. There have been times when I've recognized photos as stock, though. I commented on one, saying I'd seen it in multiple places... and then the photo mysteriously vanished. People tend to know when they're doing things they shouldn't be doing...
Original content is the best content. And besides, it's so much more fun to see those little glimpses of someone else's life!
I have put a couple of my son's engagement photos on here that were taken by a friend of theirs, but my son said that she was okay with that as long as I said that it was her photos. Which I did.
first off, everyone needs to learn the difference between "Public Domain" free to use as long as include original photog copyright info (if available) and "Royalty free" stock images: royalty free stock photography gives the image buyer the option to use the image in as many ways as desired while ONLY PAYING ONE FEE...and of course when posting at any site, the member needs to include the copyright name and year clearly stating it is NOT their work....
Please note: copyright violation is a Federal offense in the USA
also, we serious photogs have a code of ethics about posting our own work...we watch our colleague's back even if we may not know them personally....tho' there are millions of photos posted on the web, those of us who have actively participated on dedicated photo sites, help in photo forums,judge contests and have browsed thousands of photos online/in mags/at exhibits, visually recognize many many photos...
don't assume that certain so-called self-proclaimed pro photogs posting here are always who they say they are....they create "personas" and sadly post very recognizable work belonging to other photogs....they scan images from books/mags and also snag them from sites like webshots.com....
serious photogs let their work speak for itself and have no need to embellish their so-called lifestyles....they are not jealous of,nor put down other photogs who want to share their level of expertise in a classroom format...and they certainly NEVER post the work of others claiming,or allowing others to "Think" it is their own....
at this point you may assume i am aware of such a fraud here at Gather...and you would be right!.....and yes, i have proof of the fraudulent postings past and present complete with the original photog's copyright......
i trust others until they prove otherwise,so it is very sad to learn that trust is broken by someone who is arrogant thinking they have fooled the fools....i had no reason to doubt this person until i saw for myself the fraud.....there is no doubt when you see the original copyrighted photo next to the one posted by the fraud who crops,or clones out the original CR name and year.....even heavy PS filters can't completely disguise the original.....and i am not saying that all photo-art using soft filters,etc. posted at Gather are stolen work....i am speaking about a specific member who posts work not their own and claims to be something they are not.....
i will never comprehend those who choose to live without integrity and frankly i do not tolerate it,nor try to make excuses on the person's behalf....
cheers,gayle who follows a code of ethics for life....
Great article
Angel
Angel
I greatly admire your photography. There are several others on gather who taKe wonderful photos. I have many of my own but no decent digital camera and no scanner so publishing pictures of my own is difficult.
I know there are a few people who post internet jokes and forwards and some don't say where they got the work, but I think for the most part people aren't really trying to pass off work of others as their own.
I am so with you. As one of those "snarky"(1) humorists, I appreciate anyone who stands up for intellectual and artistic property. I know that my work can be used by someone else, and it truly bothers me. I have used previously published words, my own. I was beginning to think, with the number of posts referring members to other people's work, that maybe I was alone.
(1) Heather W., gather.com, Jan 17, 2008
"Thank you Gayle for stopping by and giving us a pro's pov on this. I really hope the person you're talking about isn't one of my connections, I'm not connected to the one's that inspired this rant thankfully.
"of course my favorite is when they pull out their cell phones and try to take their own photos while we have their children in costume on the backdrop." Angel W.
I can't believe that! People really don't have a clue do they? That is just so rude! I Love your little glider! Makes me want to get one!
"It must be either purely for the points or the ego." Bobbie K.
I suspect its a bit of both, the major person I'm talking about tries to tug at the heart strings in their profile as to their reason for posting non original content. Copy right infringement / not giving a darn about the original photographer is just shameful imho.
". . .I was on another site yesturday, and one of my photos was being used as someones icon! I only posted that photo to Gather, so somebody on Gather stole my photo and is using it as their icon!" Holly G.
How Rude! You know, I would be flattered if someone ASKED to use one of my pictures for something, and I would more than likely let them, but for the love of God at least ask! I bet these people also 'borrow' neighbors power tools and 'forget to return them'. or something along those lines. .
"I'm feeling guilty now, because I posted a photo I received in email, I did say that was where I got the photo, it didn't have a copyright on it or a photographers name. I really wasn't able to give credit to the photographer. I greatly admire your photography. There are several others on gather who taKe wonderful photos. I have many of my own but no decent digital camera and no scanner so publishing pictures of my own is difficult. I know there are a few people who post internet jokes and forwards and some don't say where they got the work, but I think for the most part people aren't really trying to pass off work of others as their own." Cheryl R.
Firstly, thank you for being so nice and liking my work, it really makes me smile when people genuinely comment on my work. I am by no means a professional, never will be, but this is my favorite hobby. Photos received via email are tricky, I don't personally know what to do in that situation about citing, I personally wouldn't post them, but as long as someone says "I got this from an email or www.whatever.com" in a caption, I don't get upset. I still don't think those photos should be able to be rated, receive points or honors such as being in the top 25 lists. If you personally didn't create the content from your own mind / shutter, then you should state Hey, this isn't my creation. Leaving everyone to guess, allows people to assume (right or wrong it may be) that the content is your work. I love seeing pictures people have scanned of family and friends, its nostalgic for me since I do everything digital lol, I wish gather offered best buy gift cards or something similar so members who don't have digital cameras could get gift cards to purchase one.
" 99% of what I post is mine. The only exception was the arial photo a local news agency took of the car my niece was killed in, and that was just to illustrate the article" Barbara C.
I remember that article, if i recall right you said it was the news photo then. That would count as acknowledging your source. I don't expect everyone to do proper APA or MLA citing, but a nod to the creator is fine enough for me.
"All my thread are original typos and all." Lori F.
Long live us bad spellers too :D
To everyone else, thank you for posting original content, everyone i didn't directly reply to said about the same thing: Gather members would rather see things created by YOU not something you've ripped off someone else.
Gather should create a Wall of Shame for people who have been outed as copyright violators, image thieves and so on. You can't post articles about the people directly because then their minions and fangirls swarm your namespace flagging it for 'other' and 'harassment' and downrate everything you've ever posted because you're a mean doodie head poop face for even THINKING of protecting the rights of original artists.
I only post my own work, be it photos or articles. I do quote or refer in articles I have posted here, but I do not and never would claim ANY work of others as my own.
I am sure that many of the "photographers" who post on gather, will tell you that photography may be a fun and rewarding hobby, but for those making a living at it, it is definately HARD work. We do not deserve to be robbed of not only the financial benefits, but the public acknowledgement of our creative abilities.
I have noticed more of this type of thing happening here on gather. As someone stated above, I thought gather was to be a place for original works with points being an added bonus. Like others, I do not knowingly comment on photos or other works that I either know or suspect have been "stolen" and have been submitted solely to obtain points.
I tend to post my own articles or photos in spurts, most recently due to family issues that precluded my participating in an upbeat or timely way. I am still dealing with the issues, (will be posting an article in reference to the situation later today or tomorrow) but Photography has long been one of my most stress reducing activities, and winter photography is probably my most favorite seasonal, which explains why there are so many winter photos from me. Gather has provided me a way to share those photos, but I have been more reserved in what I am posting, for the very reason you wrote this article about.
I deliberately leave out the camera settings and other photographic info now, because a photo of mine was totally claimed as someone elses work, and they had provided the detailed information that I had provided with a photo I posted. Of course they will not be able to produce the negative, for that or the other images in the series that I shot at the time that photo had been taken.
I am with you Heather, there should be a wall of shame. Not for people who just wish to share something that was shared with them, and credit is given for the original "artist", (though I still do not believe points should be given for submitting someone elses work). But for those who claim the work of another. They should lose their points as well.
I obviously am not on gather for the points, since I have been a member for about a year and a half, and have not earned enough points for my first gift card yet. I enjoy seeing others ORIGINAL works, and sharing with the many different friends from around the country.
If you find something cool on another site, a much better way to show others would be to post a link to the site in an article.
Think of it like this: A photographer, artist or graphic designer posts their work on websites such as Fotosearch, in order to sell their work. They place watermarks on those images to prevent a someone from using their work without paying for it. Someone has put a lot of time and effort into that artistic creation, and they deserve the credit and the financial benefit of. Now someone comes along, takes that image, withoug paying for it, alters the image to remove the watermark, then reposts that image somewhere else, without the permission of the artist. It is not longer protected, and anyone else can simply download it from there, free of cost, and perhaps unknowingly use it in a way that could get them prosecuted for copyright infringement.
Not too long ago, there was a huge amount of trouble with Yahoo groups being shut down for posting copyrighted work, without the artists permission. The sad thing was, often times the group owners and or moderators were held responsible even if they were unaware, and the group would be shut down with no explanation or notice.
As Moh said, if you find something cool or interesting to share, post a link in an article, and direct people there. That would accomplish two things, it would prevent copyright infringement AND it would bring the artist of that work to the attention of more people. If it's the points a person is after, then you could just as easily achieve them through the article.
Great article! I agree with everything that you said!!!!
I believe Heather explained at the end of the article what site SHE used to CREATE that poster using a photograph SHE took. That site is also still clearly marked on her poster (glassgiant.com).
Some royalty free sites may not even require payment, only suggest a donation. Thats with some, not all, depends on the site / artist.
and Moh, gather will never feature an article like this. If they did I would be impressed. The Feel Good Crew don't like pesky things like truth, its sometimes mean and makes people feel bad.
I have no problem giving low ratings to content that is copied from the internet with no credit given. It's not right and by just skipping over the content we are encouraging the member to continue it. If they get bad ratings on work copied from the internet maybe they'll start to get the idea that the community won't accept that.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of commenters and raters out there who are ALSO in it strictly for the points, so they don't care WHAT they are rating and commenting on because THEY are getting the points. I think that is where a lot of the "great work" comments and 10's on what is obviously a stock photo or copied poem are coming from.
The user(s) this is aimed at have not commented on this article at all (as of this reply) and I am not suprised. This/These person/people hardly comment on others work outside their little fan club. I was miffed because unoriginal work was taking over the top 25 rated images list and like i have said before, I (and others) do not think that work not created by a member should be allowed to receive such an honor.