TechFeed: Copyright laws questioned in Internet flame war

Looking for an easy way to get an angry mob of Facebook users to follow you on your every move around the Internet? Leave it to Cooks Source Magazine to show you how it's done.

Every day, thousands of writers, both aspiring and professional, use the Internet to promote and sell their work. One of these writers is Monica Gaudio, who, in 2005, posted her article about apple pie on a website called “Gode Cookery.” The article sat untouched until several weeks ago when Gaudio was alerted to its presence in Cooks Source Magazine, a publication to which she had never given permission to reprint her article. This is a textbook example of copyright infringement, something that happens far too often when the Internet is involved.

Confused, Gaudio contacted Judith Griggs, the editor of the magazine, asking for an apology for the plagiarized content, as well as a $130 donation to the Columbia School of Journalism — a price roughly equal to the going rate for Gaudio's article.

The reply Gaudio received was enough to incite anger in thousands of readers: “But honestly Monica, the web is considered ‘public domain' and you should be happy we just didn't ‘lift' your whole article and put someone else's name on it! ... (The) article we used written by you was in very bad need of editing, and is much better now than was originally. We put some time into rewrites, you should compensate me!” (The complete response can be found on Gaudio's blog at illadore.livejournal.com).

The events that followed were most appropriately described by Boing Boing as a “web justice driveby,” as users took matters into their own hands. Cooks Source's Facebook page was quickly tracked down, and as news spread, thousands flocked to share their opinions of the magazine's unjust actions. Claims like the web being “public domain” were quickly examined and discarded as untrue. With a half-hearted “my bad” from Griggs, the page was abandoned, though it took only minutes for users to find the editor's newly created pages and continue the attack, with Griggs begging to be left alone. Soon, over 160 more stolen articles were discovered, from not just amateur writers, but the likes of Martha Stewart, The Food Network, Disney and more. Angry followers quickly ensured every original author and advertiser was made aware of the legal infringement.

Unfortunately, these actions, which can be considered theft, happen every day. The Internet adds a great deal of anonymity, and no matter how original an article looks, it may have come from just about anywhere. The occasional dishonest student has been known to perform similar acts of plagiarism, and although it's grounds for dismissal from school, it's not always caught. In attempts to force honest and original work, schools use tools like Turnitin.com, though even these are not always thorough enough to catch those copying from less popular sources.

While plagiarizing at school might get you a failing grade or a trip home, in the real world, it'll get you a lawsuit. These matters aren't always taken lightly. Copying just one paragraph to give yourself a break might seem like a great idea until you've suddenly lost your career and your personal savings are gone.

If anything can be taken from the example Cooks Source has given us, it's that stealing in the real world just doesn't fly, and with a lack of sincerity, the Internet will help to bring you to your knees.