This weeks topic in our fashion group is Blog Copying.
I am having so much fun giving my thoughts on these topics. Kudos to Katy from ModlyChic again for coming up with an awesome idea.
Here goes:
1. What are the 'unwritten rules' about coping content that we
bloggers should all abide by?
I don't think you should ever "copy" someone's content. Like word for word. But we all share/borrow topics and give our own thoughts and opinion. I mean who are we kidding, isn't that what blogging is. A community of 20 million plus experts sharing their take on various topics?
2. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. But when is a
post imitation and when is it copying?
Copying a post is self explanatory. People know when they are doing it. They do it on purpose. It's not an accidental thing. You have to hit "control + v", lol.
3. Taking another blogger's idea (perhaps for an outfit, or DIY
tutorial) is pretty common in the blogging world. Do you think it is
necessary to credit the original source?
I think it's appropriate and kind to always give credit someone. Especially when you taking an original idea, like "30 for 30". If you're just giving your spin on the Top 20 Hair Do's and you happened to see it on another blog I would still give a "shout out" but it's not necessary.
4. How have you improved your blog by comparing it to other bloggers?
Have you made changes due to something you have seen others doing?
I definitely research other bloggers and see what they are talking about. I wouldn't really call it comparing. But a large percentage of my daily blog inspiration comes from reading blogs. The more I write the more original ideas I come up with. But again as a blogger we are inspired by many different things. I never believed that an idea was truly original. The technical aspect of blogging is something that I am learning. So I may notice that someone is posting during a certain part of the day and I have adopted that same technique.
5. Have you ever had one of your posts copied by another blogger or
publication? How did you handle the situation?
I have never seen my work copied and I can't say exactly how I would handle it.
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5 comments:
Great responses. I agree that people are generally aware when they're flat-out copying someone else.
Kendra
http://closetconfections.com
You said that you have never been copied before. I know as a fact that you have. On 2010/11/05 I copied a post from your blog on the Mary J Blige sunglasses. I was very new to blogging then and it never even occurred to me (Back then) that this was an offensive thing. The post is still up on my site at http://www.musicandmischief.com/news/news-fashion/melodies-by-mjb-now-online. I did give you credit as the writer on the article though. Should I delete it or are you ok with this?
Umm ok well yeah, I guess that totally changes my answer to #5 then.
First let me say - Thank you for reading my blog and I appreciate that you did give me credit. However, what bothers me about this is that you did "literally" copy and paste my entire blog post and then posted it on your blog. I am also pretty new to blogging (it will be one year in March 2011) and I am not as strict with the whole "copyright" issue as I probably should be. But I do use a ton of common sense rules when I am looking for "inspiration".
Although some of us say we are new to blogging I also think we use that as an excuse. You just have to use common courtesy when using content from other sites. I think of it as when I am sitting up late at night, it's 3 am, and I am still searching for the words. And magicially an hour later, my fingers begin to move rapidly and my post is completed. Other bloggers, seasoned and newbies, struggle to write at times as well - and here is where common courtesy and respect is needed!
PS. No need to delete your post (which is actually my post, LOL) just remember, for the next time you are inspired by someone else's blog, don't just "copy and paste" the content. Take a blurb or two from the post and still create your own - and then give credit. It's also a good idea to give that blogger a heads up by contacting them. Most of us have our twitter accounts or emails some where on our blogs.
Thanks again!
I just read all of this and it BLOWS MY MIND! It's hard to believe that people would copy and paste someone's entire posting. When I checked the copied link it almost appears that you are a contributor to that site. I don't really think appropriate credit was given at all.
I think the copied post being discussed above walks a fine line. Did the author copy your content word for word? Yup. Did they credit you? Yup. Is there a problem with the way it was done? Yes.
Technically the blog author isn't plagiarizing your work because they aren't passing it off as their own, but according they are breaking copyright rules. The Fair Use clause in copyright dictates that they have to somehow ADD something to the original content in order to not be breaking copyright laws (ie: commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, etc.). I suppose they could say that they are reporting something you already wrote, but I don't really think that is the case.
It's nice of them to let you know it happened, and it's a good springboard for this conversation, but they probably SHOULD adjust the post somewhat, even now, to make it more evident that it came from somewhere else.
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