Plagiarism is knowingly using someone else’s work in your
academic work without acknowledging them. Plagiarism deals with ethics,
honesty, and morals. Copywriting on the other hand is a law. While the consequences
for plagiarism may only be expulsion from school, failing a course, or simply
being embarrassed, if one violates the copyright laws, they may face possible
fines, and jail time. There isn’t a way for someone to find loopholes around plagiarism;
the same does not apply for copyrighting. Satire, academic and institutional
use gives leeway to the law. An example of plagiarism that would not fall under
the category of copyright infringement is the use of a quote in a scholarly
essay. If you use a single quote and do not cite the author where you got the
quote from you are plagiarizing. You are knowingly using someone else’s work
without acknowledging it. An example of copyrighting without plagiarizing is
the Ohio Marching 110 video that was viewed today in class. The band did not
plagiarize because they put forth their own effort and ideas while composing
the music sheet and choreography for the performance. Although they acknowledge
the Gagnam Style song, they did not receive proper permission from the original
artist of the song.
I completely agree with what you think about plagiarism and copyright violation. I think that people really do not realize the severity of a copyright violation and that plagiarism is a huge embarrassment all in itself and that as well as being kicked out of school is a huge consequence that should be avoided.
ReplyDeleteGood job! Just to clarify about the Ohio marching band's performance of Gangnam Style -- you're right that it's not plagiarism. But it's not just because they added their own work to it. It's also important that they acknowledged their source. Since it was a popular performance, they didn't have to do the full citation like you have to for your papers, but the announcer at the beginning referred to everyone knowing this song (in other words, you all know the citation).
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know for sure whether they got proper permission (don't want to accuse them of a violation if they're not guilty)... But if they did not get permission, then it would be an example of copyright violation that is not plagiarism!