My Active Rain Blog

Search for Saint Paul Minneapolis Homes

August 15, 2006 - Copy Cat

The bad thing about the internet is it's so public.  The good thing about the internet is it's so public.  So where does one go with that?  The ultimate compliment among bloggers is to be quoted and a link placed on another person's blog.  This does not, however, include cutting and pasting the entire post to your own blog and claiming it as your own!  That is called copyright infringement and it's a very serious issue on the internet.

Late last week, one of the entries on my blog was copied complete with my hand created Paint illustration of a spilled milk bottle.  No credit was given to me for authoring the article.  Nor was any attempt made to camouflage the theft.  The copy cat created her blog the day after I posted the entry.  Three days after creating her blog on which Copy Cat posted my entry, she had published somehing not hers!  The kindergartener in me started yelling,  "Copy cat!  Copy cat!" 

The copied entry has been deleted today.  It makes me question whether I, as a consumer,  would want an agent that plagiarizes others's blog content without attribution.  My totally biased opinion is that if someone is unethical enough to steal your content from a web publication, that same person is probably not going to be ethical in their business dealings on your behalf. 

(c) Bonnie Erickson 2006

August 16, 2006 - re: Copy Cat

Wow! On the one hand imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; on the other hand plagiarism is theft! I noticed you use the copyright symbol on your stuff. I use the cc some rights reserved. Folks can take what ever they want from my blog but if they post or print they must give me credit for the material. I have had requests for my photos and always say yes as long as they include a photo credit. I teach a class on blogging for real estate at Keller Williams and am finding that the reason most REALTORS don’t blog is because they have trouble coming up with content. I’ll make sure and tell them not to copy yours. :)
Teresa Boardman
http://www.StPaulRealEstateBlog.com

Tell them not to copy maps from Lenn Harley of Homefinders (www.homefinders.com) either.  She gives no verbal warning, just a letter from her attorney.  It's the way to go.   Bonnie

August 17, 2006 - re: Copy Cat

September 4, 2006 - re: Copy Cat

I had a similiar kopy kitty visit my blog last week and borrowed most of it.   At least she changed the photo and a few words.  It is disappointing that someone would do this.  It is so simple to give credit or provide a link.   Is there a blogger code of ethics?  Maybe you could write one. 

To write a bloggers' code of ethics would take a person who is highly respected, and hopefully, renowned in the blogging community.  I'm not there.  I blog almost because I'm compelled.   For the time being I have to operate by my own code of ethics which is very high and fashions my life choices.  I also note the copy cats and refuse to refer or do business with them.  It is a violation of trust and my code to copy someone else's work and one who would stoop to that level IMHO cannot handle the responsibility of representing another person in real estate!   BE