Plagiarise and perish

When a writer uses the ideas, thoughts, words and sentences of another, he is guilty of plagiarism. Sometimes we read whole passages in books and newspaper articles plagiarised from earlier studies done by a previous author.

Plagiarism begins sometimes at a very young age of a writer. Many school children copy essays and poems written by others and send them to newspapers. It is extremely difficult for an editor to verify whether such work is genuine or plagiarised. Therefore, editors take the precaution of putting the byline in a different way. Instead of the usual “by XYZ” they use “sent by XYZ.” This way, editors try to circumvent the copyright law to some extent.

Copyright is recognised by the law to protect the works of authors, artist, and composers from unauthorised reproductions, performances or dissemination by others. What is important to remember is that copyright law protects only original creations of authorship produced in a tangible form.

Thus, literary creations, musical compositions, films, plays, paintings, radio and television programs are copyrighted. Copyright, however, does not protect ideas or concepts. It protects the way in which an author has expressed such ideas or concepts.

The first copyright law was passed by the British Parliament way back in 1710. It was referred to as the Statute of Anne. About 80 years later the founding fathers of the United States of America thought it fit to include copyright law in the constitution. Today the US congress has the power to secure the rights of authors and inventors for limited periods of time.

Today many countries, including Sri Lanka, have recognised copyright law. As a result, authors have a copyright to their work during their lifetime plus 50 years after death. Any violation of the author’s copyright is treated as an infringement which does not necessarily constitute word-for-word reproduction of the original. A substantial similarity is treated as an infringement.

There is, however, a notable exception to the rule of copyright infringement. This is known as “fair use” which permits a writer to reproduce small portions of copyrighted material for critical reviews of books, poems and plays. It is also possible for a writer to use quotations of short passages to illustrate a point or to clarify his observations. Such quotations are usually found in newspaper articles and reports of speeches.

Copyright infringement can lead to serious consequences. Courts will not hesitate to impose heavy fines for copyright violators. Those who plagiarise may not be aware of the copyright laws in operation. However, ignorance of the law is no valid excuse.

People plagiarise for two reasons. In the first place, some writers have no life experience to create something new. Therefore, they copy what others have written some months or years ago.

Secondly, those who are too lazy to engage in research take the easy way of plagiarising what others have written. They unwittingly commit a serious moral crime in addition to copyright infringement.

Once W.T.A. Leslie Fernando, a retired High Court Judge and prolific writer, complained to the editor of a national daily that a university don had copied a few paragraphs from one of his published articles. He was hurt because he had done so much of research to write the article. The university don had not used the plagiarised portions of the original work for “fair use.”

On another occasion, a leading dramatist complained to the editor of a national newspaper saying that a journalist had plagiarised some portions from one of his books. On both these occasions the original writers were lawyers who could have moved the wheels of the law easily. However, they did not raise a hue and cry over the two separate incidents.

Most of us want to see our names in print. This may be a human frailty. For instance, the market is flooded with new titles. Some of these books are sub standard and not worth having a second look. Some authors print books and give them free to friends, relatives and well-wishers. What they want is recognition.

Apart from the legal position, plagiarism is a moral offence. By copying a fair chunk of somebody else’s article or book, you become a writer without principles. Plagiarists should remember that those who create literary pieces, plays or dance are highly sensitive people. Plagiarism amounts to moral turpitude.

Plagiarism cannot be prevented by legal measures alone. The new generation should be educated on the gravity of stealing a portion of somebody else’s work without permission. If new writers keep on plagiarising what their forefathers had written, they are committing a serious offence, both legally and morally.

One sure-five method of avoiding the sin of plagiarism is to write on your own after reading many volumes on a given subject. It is always good to draw inspiration from what others have written. Collect facts, arrange them in order and write your own essay, poem or book. Nobody can find fault with such writing. If this cannot be done, you must receive some training under a veteran. Plagiarism will never help you to become a respectable writer.

Plagiarism can be compared to a person wearing borrowed clothes. He may be the cynosure of all eyes for sometime. However, when he has to return the clothes, he stands naked! There is no necessity for anyone to stoop to that low level. Make it a point to write on subjects you are familiar with adopting your own style. That is the first step to become a writer.

Those who plagiarise have no future as writers or performers. If your system does not generate new ideas, read literary works - both classical and modern. You can visit websites and acquire knowledge on many subjects. Some of them will provide you with essential hints on writing.

If you cannot get rid of the habit of plagiarising, your reputation as a writer will perish. Writing is such a pleasant task that there is no necessity for you to dissolve your creative efforts in borrowed or stolen sentences and paragraphs from another writer.

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