Reference Information on Plagiarism
Plagiarism, contrary to popular belief, isn't merely the act of "copying" or "borrowing" a piece of writing or original idea from someone else. Plagiarism is an act of thievery, fraud and dishonesty. It is the act of stealing intellectual property, whether written or spoken, from another source and then lying about it. This violates copyright laws, which protect the intellectual property created to express original ideas.
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What's Covered
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A copyright protects original works of intellectual property, such as literary works, pieces of art and songs. As the methods used to express creativity increase, so does the list of works protected under copyright law. Computer software, architecture and videos are also protected, so long as they are recorded in some way, such as written on paper or on a file on a computer. Work is protected under copyright law the moment it is created in a tangible, perceptible form.
What's Not Covered
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Not everything is covered by copyright law, and as a result, reusing information from some sources is not considered plagiarism. Phone books, common-knowledge facts and publications from the U.S. government are not considered original ideas and are available for free use. Works that fall under public domain are also free for use, so long as the source is cited appropriately.
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Public Domain
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Public domain refers to works that are either no longer protected under copyright law or never have been. The specifics under which works become public domain can be complicated and convoluted, but generally speaking, works published 75 years ago or more are now considered public domain, according to the website Plagiarism.org. Any work published after 1978 is covered under copyright law for the life of the author and an additional 70 years.
Punishment
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Plagiarism is a crime and can be persecuted accordingly if discovered. The punishment is decided by taking the intent and nature of the offense into consideration, but if money, job placement or other positive reward was acquired due to the plagiarism, you'll find yourself in court. According to Plagiarism.org, fines ranging from $100 to $50,000 and jail time are typical sentences, but a more severe case can involve higher fines and longer jail terms.
Citing Sources
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If you need to use material from other sources in your work, inform the audience of that fact by citing the source. This avoids an accusation of plagiarism and keeps your work honest. Cite sources by providing the name of the original creator, the title of the material used and the year it was created. Quotes, specific references to another's work and inspiration for your original work all require proper accreditation.
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References
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