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Copying articles from books/magazines

by Hydroxide
22 replies
I was wondering, would I get into serious trouble if I copied articles from mags and books from my local bookstore and submit them to ezine etc2? Has anyone experienced this?
#articles #books or magazines #copying
  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Dude, you already know its not the right thing to do. Its unethical.

    Sure, take inspiration from the article, perhaps re-write it into your own words, but always, always avoid COPYING.
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    • Profile picture of the author Roy Penrod
      Unethical and illegal. And it's very easy to find people doing it by running your article through Copyscape.

      Roy
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  • Profile picture of the author Net Assasin
    Originally Posted by Hydroxide View Post

    I was wondering, would I get into serious trouble if I copied articles from mags and books from my local bookstore and submit them to ezine etc2? Has anyone experienced this?
    Never ever copy, it is not what ethical marketers do at all.

    Just reword it bigtime, write the same story in your own words like news reporters do .
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  • Profile picture of the author Hydroxide
    Alright guys. Thanks. I think rewording and rephrasing will do. The ideas is what I need. How bout spinning?
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    • Profile picture of the author Robert Boduch
      How about learning something about your topic and then writing original content you can be proud of? That's a much better option.

      You'll get so much more out of the experience and you won't be ripping off other people who worked hard to develop their own original content.

      Robert
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      • Profile picture of the author glchandler
        I was wondering, would I get into serious trouble if I copied articles from mags and books from my local bookstore and submit them to ezine etc2? Has anyone experienced this?
        I jumped in here a bit late. My thoughts are that if you had to ask you knew the answer already. And your posts seemed to indicate that...

        Then....
        Alright guys. Thanks. I think rewording and rephrasing will do. The ideas is what I need. How bout spinning?
        Bottom line to me?

        Research, write your own articles (with your OWN words) and the spin those if you wish. Spin somebody else's work and it is still somebody else's work!
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  • Profile picture of the author Clint Butler
    Rather than attacking your idea and calling you a thief I am going to go a different route with you. Copying the articles outright is going to get you in trouble, probably not right away and depending on several factors you might just get away with it. But eventually if you want to progress in you niche your going to have to write your own stuff. SO with that being said, there is nothing wrong with reading an article and putting the information in your own words (isn't that what research is?) Just make sure you cite exact quotes etc etc.

    For instance: Clint Butler is the man of the year because rather than attacking people for asking a question he provides information that perhaps might actually help them come up with a solution to their problems (Time Magazine, June 2011)

    Regards,
    Clint
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  • Profile picture of the author hatingtherain
    It's tupid, unethical, and illegal. But you already know this. But I think you're wondering if you'll get CAUGHT. Maybe.

    Just write your own stuff, it's so much easier.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      SO with that being said, there is nothing wrong with reading an article and putting the information in your own words (isn't that what research is?) Just make sure you cite exact quotes etc etc.
      No, when you take from only one source, that's not research. That is creating a derivative work which is copyright infringement. Research takes facts from a minimum of three sources. Then a writer would take those facts and write a new work with the facts and their opinions, thoughts or experiences about those facts.

      Merriam-Webster gives this for the definition of research:
      1
      : careful or diligent search
      2
      : studious inquiry or examination; especially : investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws

      3
      : the collecting of information about a particular subject
      The bold text is mine - I don't see how anyone could reconcile those terms with the rewriting of one single article.

      Do people do things like this? Yup, all the time.

      Is it writing? Nope, it's regurgitation - rewording someone else's work takes no thought or creativity at all. Whether you get caught or not, it's still copyright infringement - that's another word for theft. You are stealing someone else's hard work and creativity.

      Tina
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  • Profile picture of the author darthdeus
    First, it's very unethical, and second, it's copyright voilation ... I smell lawsuit incomming.
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  • Profile picture of the author Clint Butler
    3
    : the collecting of information about a particular subject

    So if I collect information from two or more articles and summarize their information that's ok according to your definition of research? Face it, there isn't anything wrong with reading articles or books or anything else for that matter as long as you give credit where credit is do within your article.

    Which if you had read my original post, you would have seen is my position all along.

    If one article details what my postition is and I provide that exact same information in MY OWN WORDS, I can do it and NOT be violating copyright as long as I cite the original article.

    This is basic writing 101, Cite Right: A Quick Guide to Citation Styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the Sciences, Professions, and More (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) is what I use for reference in both my educational and professional writing and it will clear this COPYRIGHT issue up. Perhaps if kept in mind you would actually IMPROVE the quality of the articles you write because you are showing your readers you actually care enough to research your topic properly and cite your sources thus proving your professionalism and validating your arguements.

    Regards,
    Clint

    P.S. and get a good wordpressing document or have one set up in your browser to catch spelling errors, I know I could use one sometimes.
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    • Profile picture of the author cody123
      In my humble opinion, the only thing you should take from someone else's work is inspiration. Never copy.

      Read other's works to gain insight and information that you can use to then create your own original works. Remember, whatever you write will have your name on it and you don't want to ruin your reputation and brand yourself as someone who plagiarizes.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Originally Posted by Clint Butler View Post

      3
      So if I collect information from two or more articles and summarize their information that's ok according to your definition of research? Face it, there isn't anything wrong with reading articles or books or anything else for that matter as long as you give credit where credit is do within your article.

      If one article details what my postition is and I provide that exact same information in MY OWN WORDS, I can do it and NOT be violating copyright as long as I cite the original article.
      I agree with most of your statement above except that I would change the word information (which I bolded) to facts. There is a difference between using facts from research and simply rewording an article, don't you agree?

      If you had stated the proper citation earlier, I would not have disagreed with you as strongly. However, in your earlier post, you simply said:
      Just make sure you cite exact quotes etc etc.
      This sounds like you would only cite actual quoted portions of the article. If I misunderstood you earlier, my apologies but at least perhaps the information will keep someone from thinking it's okay to just reword someone else's thoughts.

      And I'm not sure if the reference to using spell check was for you or for me so I'll have to go check my post...lol.

      Tina
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    2 things -

    DHS just seized 77 websites without notice or due process. They were websites which sold pirated stuff -- but..............
    there are laws going through that will make it possible for the same thing to happen to any site on which copyrighted material is illicitly posted.
    If you want to take the risk, go for it. Fewer competitors in your niche in the long run.

    2. After reading that you would actually consider such a move as copying someone else's work - how secure can we be that products you produce aren't just cheap imitations as well?
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  • Profile picture of the author Clint Butler
    DHS siezed websites that were pirating tangible goods i.e. movies, mosic etc etc .

    My point of bringing up research is that Warriors spend more time treating people like jerks and know it alls rather than helping someone out. Maybe the OP didn't truely didn't know there was anything wrong with putting article from magazines on his site. Rather than attacking him, show him/her the right way to use those articles to create his/her own content.

    Regards,
    Clint
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Originally Posted by Clint Butler View Post

      My point of bringing up research is that Warriors spend more time treating people like jerks and know it alls rather than helping someone out. Maybe the OP didn't truely didn't know there was anything wrong with putting article from magazines on his site. Rather than attacking him, show him/her the right way to use those articles to create his/her own content.

      Regards,
      Clint
      Clint, I think it's lovely that you want to give the benefit of the doubt - I really do. But I think people reacted so strongly because the OP made it pretty obvious that he knew that would be wrong when he asked if he would get into "serious trouble". Seems clear that he already knows this isn't the thing to do but is concerned whether there would be any consequences. Unfortunately, knowing right from wrong isn't enough for some people. They need to know if they can do wrong without being punished for it.

      Tina
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  • Profile picture of the author REKHILESH
    do not copy others content
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  • Profile picture of the author garyrogers
    A good way to do it would be spinning, like {movie|film|motion picture} that way will yield the best results!
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  • Profile picture of the author jeffreyanderson
    Get your inspiration from other articles, I think we all need our inspiration from somewhere. We also need ideas from other places, but straight-up copying is not only a bad idea and unethical, but it's illegal.

    Stick to originality and you won't ever have to worry about getting into trouble.
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  • Profile picture of the author gittar1122
    You may get into trouble of copyright issues so why not re-write them in your own words??
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  • Profile picture of the author myrnasy
    It's plagiarism and you're eventually opposing the Copyright Law. It's a serious trouble and you will be sanctioned or banned from submitting articles to ezine or any other site, especially if you are caught by the authority.

    The big point is that, it would be more satisfying and we feel very confident as writers when we have written articles of our own choice of words and style. The articles from the books and mags we have read may be good, but our own written articles, may it be too short or lengthy, are the best.

    For my part, I haven't experienced the thing, and have no plan of trying, because I'm always afraid of doing so.
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