Plagiarized Images

Jane McGary janemcgary@earthlink.net
Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:44:33 PST
After sending my previous post on this topic, it occurred to me that 
some participants in this discussion will know that a few years ago I 
took umbrage when statements I had made on this forum were quoted in 
a book without my permission. (I was not the only person whose text 
was so used.) My annoyance, however, was due to the fact that I had 
demurred when the author asked me to contribute content to the 
planned book, and to the fact that I was cited by name, implying that 
I had in some way supported the book project. Had my comments been 
included anonymously, I would not have been offended. For that 
matter, I would not have been much offended if the book had been any 
good. I must point out, however, that I did not take revenge by 
sending it for review to someone I expected would savage it, and it 
was treated quite gently in the journal I was editing at that time.

If images lifted from our wiki are being used in fraudulent or 
criminal marketing schemes (for instance, for the sale of bulbs 
illegally dug in the wild), or in support of stupid blogs, we do have 
every right to be offended, but we should feel relieved if the 
(mis)user does not credit the photographer.

Hannon's comment about the potential for online content helping "to 
establish and reinvigorate local clubs" is an interesting one and 
I've taken it as the start of a different thread.

Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA




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