Don't Copywrong!

Recently our 'Writing in Digital Context' class was asked to review some documents in regards to "Recognizing Plagiarism" and "Avoiding Plagiarism". This task was assigned to refresh our memories on how to properly cite and reference and to be able to avoid and recognize plagiarism. We then read and discussed a recent controversial issue in the news regarding a professional writer for the Globe and Mail who was accused of plagiarizing (Margaret Wente). The general class consensus was that this woman was guilty and should be punished accordingly for her actions - fair enough (although some ideas of her punishment were harsher than others).

This method is a standard that we, as university students, understand, are very aware of, and are held accountable for. Being able to properly cite and reference others' ideas is something we should understand and know how to do. It is enforced at our university that we use these methods of referencing and if students neglect the proper use, the consequences are severe - from receiving a failing grade, being reported, being expelled, a tainted reputation, and this acquisition permanently being on your record. Therefore, if we students are subject to these rules and hard punishments - a professional writer should be held accountable too, right?! Well sure, absolutely! So if we believe she knew what she was doing, it couldn't have been a honest mistake, and there should be no second chances given for error - what happens if the tables turn? But how could they, I know how to properly cite and reference - this could never happen to me!.. Well do we ourselves really fully understand the complexity behind what is considered to be plagiarising? I thought I did - but apparently I didn't!
 

Our class also had a session on the difference between "Copyright" and "Creative Commons". Copyright being a protection act whereby it allows no one to use the authors work unless given direct permission (if work is used without the authors permission, legal action can take place). Whereas the Creative Commons license allows different stipulations in regards to how one can use the authors work - the license displays how the work can and cannot be used. I understood the concept of the Copyright - although I didn't realize to what extent one had to go to use their work with having to contact the author for permission. I merely thought  referencing and citing their work properly by giving appropriate credit to them would be sufficient enough (apparently not). I also had no idea there was even such a thing as a Creative Commons license - no clue what it even meant or was used for. Good thing I learned these differences - otherwise I could have been in some serious future trouble!

When I was researching the proper use of these licenses and how to accurately cite images for my blog posts, I came across a post called: "Blogger Beware: You CAN Get Sued For Using Photos You Don't Own on Your Blog" by Ronie Loren (please take a look at this blog!). This opened my eyes again to the scary reality! You are not safe, you may think you know (but you don't), and you better learn how to properly cite and understand the licenses and regulations of use, inside and out - to save your bacon!

Having this knowledge is crucial, especially with this particular assignment of making and contributing to blog posts. Not only is this understanding important for the members of our class, but to our generation as a whole! If people don't have knowledge of this - there are serious consequences. I honestly believe that a majority of these people would be oblivious to illegally using the authors work - even if they were properly citing and referencing. So do you still believe for an honest mistake you should be punished, labeled as a plagiarizer and end up owing money as a fine or worse, to someone who has a copyright license?

My Point:
 

My point in all of this is that there is a serious issue with regards to a large part of the population not understanding copyright regulations, along with the accurate definition of "plagiarism". I would estimate that 80% of the population have no idea what content is safe to use and what is not - and of these 80% my guess would be that 70% would make an honest mistake of misusing someone else's work. These oblivious Joe's would end-up being accused of being a horrible monster  of a plagiarizer, copying and stealing other peoples work and ideas and claiming it as their own! Then these people would eventually have to deal with the wrath of society and the harsh reality of consequences - when it was a merely a case of not being properly educated on this matter!  

My Issues:
 

I have a little bit of a beef with the whole system on how we were taught throughout school growing up - this was never really something that was taught throughout my years of schooling prior to post-secondary. I had obviously heard and knew about about it, although was unaware how serious the repercussions were, and did not understand the exact purpose of it. Not to mention I had no idea the many rules and forms of citing and referencing. I never really understood what the big deal was until I went back to school to get my post-secondary education.

Another issue I have with the whole citing and referencing rigmarole is the fact that for different subject areas they use different referencing styles. I don't get why there is more than one referencing style in the first place. Also, every so often the APA or MLA people go change or tweak their rules on how you're suppose to cite or reference (and they wonder why they have to continue teaching these sessions over and over again in school -- HELLOOOO! haha). No wonder there is so many issues with not referencing or citing properly.

 

My Beliefs and Recommendations:

 

I believe that if plagiarizing is such a huge issue at universities - there is obviously some underlying reason behind it. I have found that over the last couple of years the universities have really started to crack down on the problem of plagiarism. I believe to correct this and ensure safety for students our primary schools need to start students right off the get-go with the proper tools to learn these referencing and citing procedures. It should be mandatory to learn these standards and practices throughout junior high and most definitely high school. I feel as though time is wasted on learning how to properly cite when we are at a university level (although I wasn't complaining after I was taught the apparently "proper" way to cite and reference - probably saved my bacon in the long-run).

All in all, I believe this issue needs to be addressed - and innocent people that are not educated in this area should have some sort of teaching or formal training to help save them from a possible future dilemma! Schools need to start their kids off at an early age with learning such things as referencing, citing, knowledge of the copyright and creative common regulations, etc. Also informing with information about how a majority of the pictures listed on say, Google image searches, are copyright - therefore you need to consult with the author for permission to use (realistically one should be avoiding the possibility of plagiarizing all together and not even bother to risk using them if you're uncertain)! Even having social media sites implement warnings to these people in regards to these concerns. I think this would make help to make a significant difference - helping to warn that unsuspecting Joe, along with appeasing authors (knowing people are not out 'stealing' their work)!

Try to get educated on this matter...
and don`t Copywrong!