I...I feel so violated! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TJL · 10-20-2008, 06:56 PM

Okay now that I have you're attention, something happened to me recently that I'm a little cheesed off about...

There's a website I read quite often - no it's not Sitcoms Online - it's a film/TV site that reviews movies, has a fanboy kind of snarky edge to it, they love sci fi and kooky stuff like me, etc. Recently I "signed up" so I could post comments about the various articles and reviews they write, and I have added my two cents here and there.

Anyway, I posted a comment about thier review of the recent South Park episode involving Indiana Jones. As most of you know, the day after that episode aired there was lots of press about the subject matter of this episode.

One of the writers of the website wrote an article a few days later with his take on the controversy, and he used my comment in his article like it was his own.

Okay, I'm pretty sure that there is someone out there in cyberspace had the same excact opinion/comment idea in his or her head - maybe this guy thinks the same way, but the wording in his article is pretty darn close to the way I wrote it in my comment.

In the grand scheme of things, it's probably no big deal. But it really does look like this guy lifted my comment and put it in his article.

What's you're opinion on this?

Hollow · 10-20-2008, 07:59 PM

you may just want to contact the guy and tell him you'd rather be credited when he wants to use your wordings. i'd be pretty frustrated about that too.

LuLu Rogers · 10-20-2008, 08:09 PM

I agree with Sarah, I'd mention it to him. That would bother me too.

Wreckless · 10-20-2008, 08:39 PM

I agree. Tell the guy to give you credit for your work.

gidgetgrape · 10-20-2008, 09:19 PM

You might not have a case if it's paraphrased, but if it's word-for-word, I would contact the owner and/or webmaster of the website to let them know you weren't credited. If this writer wasn't honest enough to credit you in the first place, I doubt he or she will do so in the future. Do writers get paid or some kind of compensation? If so, that really sucks.

Doodyville10019 · 10-20-2008, 10:59 PM

TJL, I think you might have a case. I would speak with the author immediately and set him straight - they were YOUR words, YOUR writing, YOUR thoughts. If he does not relent, I'd go to the webmaster and see if he/she will remove the offender's post.

LoveMrsG · 10-21-2008, 02:35 AM

Hey TJ, I really don't know what to say. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm really into writing myself but I always give credit where credit is due if it wasn't my idea. I know how I'd feel if somebody lifted my work and took the credit for it. I think you should definitely tell the person running the web site what's happened. I don't think you should take this lying down. You have every right to feel angry and violated. You were. Nobody has the right to use your ideas for their purposes and not give you credit for your own words and thoughts. Anyway, hang in there! I hope it all works out.

Schmoopie · 10-21-2008, 03:04 AM

That's terrible that someone basically stole your thoughts and used them as their own! I post a lot of stories at fanfiction.net and I read a story that I fell in love with. I wanted to write one similar to it, but I didn't want people to think I was copying. So I PM'd the author and told her what I wanted to do. She was actually flattered and told me that she's seen parts of her stories in others posts, so unfortunately it happens a lot.
I would contact the guy first and if that doesn't work go to the administrator, like others have said.
Let us know how it works out!

Andrea

TJL · 10-21-2008, 10:02 AM

Thanks for the advice folks.

I would like to post the article excerpt and my original comment so we could all contrast and compare, but for some reason I can't find the review of the South Park episode.

Very strange. Thier archives go back a few weeks for a bunch of shows, but South Park isn't there. Hmm.

TripperFan · 10-21-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

Thanks for the advice folks.

I would like to post the article excerpt and my original comment so we could all contrast and compare, but for some reason I can't find the review of the South Park episode.

Very strange. Thier archives go back a few weeks for a bunch of shows, but South Park isn't there. Hmm.

as you say, Hmmm

Sounds to me like the writer, or admin caught the plagerism (sp?) already and deleted the entire review! The Gods must be looking down on our Tom!

Schmoopie · 10-22-2008, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

as you say, Hmmm

Sounds to me like the writer, or admin caught the plagerism (sp?) already and deleted the entire review! The Gods must be looking down on our Tom!

I agree! I would have liked to have read your review, though! But hopefully this will be the end of the 'controversy'!

Andrea

10-20-2008, 06:56 PM	#1
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I...I feel so violated! Okay now that I have you're attention, something happened to me recently that I'm a little cheesed off about... There's a website I read quite often - no it's not Sitcoms Online - it's a film/TV site that reviews movies, has a fanboy kind of snarky edge to it, they love sci fi and kooky stuff like me, etc. Recently I "signed up" so I could post comments about the various articles and reviews they write, and I have added my two cents here and there. Anyway, I posted a comment about thier review of the recent South Park episode involving Indiana Jones. As most of you know, the day after that episode aired there was lots of press about the subject matter of this episode. One of the writers of the website wrote an article a few days later with his take on the controversy, and he used my comment in his article like it was his own. Okay, I'm pretty sure that there is someone out there in cyberspace had the same excact opinion/comment idea in his or her head - maybe this guy thinks the same way, but the wording in his article is pretty darn close to the way I wrote it in my comment. In the grand scheme of things, it's probably no big deal. But it really does look like this guy lifted my comment and put it in his article. What's you're opinion on this?
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

10-20-2008, 08:09 PM	#3
LuLu Rogers Colonel Brandon Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: The Hogwarts Dungeons Posts: 11,013	I agree with Sarah, I'd mention it to him. That would bother me too.
	__________________ -Lauren- "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death."-Professor Severus Snape

10-21-2008, 02:35 AM	#7
LoveMrsG Future Emmy-Winning Writer Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 27, 2008 Location: In Mrs. G.'s mind: "Hmm, maybe I didn't know as much as I thought!" Posts: 783	Hey TJ, I really don't know what to say. I'm so sorry this happened to you. I'm really into writing myself but I always give credit where credit is due if it wasn't my idea. I know how I'd feel if somebody lifted my work and took the credit for it. I think you should definitely tell the person running the web site what's happened. I don't think you should take this lying down. You have every right to feel angry and violated. You were. Nobody has the right to use your ideas for their purposes and not give you credit for your own words and thoughts. Anyway, hang in there! I hope it all works out.
	__________________ Mrs. Garrett: "Get the h*ll out of here or I'll beat you with my frying pan!"

10-21-2008, 03:04 AM	#8
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That's terrible that someone basically stole your thoughts and used them as their own! I post a lot of stories at fanfiction.net and I read a story that I fell in love with. I wanted to write one similar to it, but I didn't want people to think I was copying. So I PM'd the author and told her what I wanted to do. She was actually flattered and told me that she's seen parts of her stories in others posts, so unfortunately it happens a lot. I would contact the guy first and if that doesn't work go to the administrator, like others have said. Let us know how it works out! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

10-20-2008, 07:59 PM	#2
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	you may just want to contact the guy and tell him you'd rather be credited when he wants to use your wordings. i'd be pretty frustrated about that too.

10-20-2008, 08:39 PM	#4
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	I agree. Tell the guy to give you credit for your work.

10-20-2008, 09:19 PM	#5
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	You might not have a case if it's paraphrased, but if it's word-for-word, I would contact the owner and/or webmaster of the website to let them know you weren't credited. If this writer wasn't honest enough to credit you in the first place, I doubt he or she will do so in the future. Do writers get paid or some kind of compensation? If so, that really sucks.

10-20-2008, 10:59 PM	#6
Doodyville10019 Meet my new friend Sparkie! Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 08, 2008 Location: Competition Square, located in Doodyville Park Posts: 877	TJL, I think you might have a case. I would speak with the author immediately and set him straight - they were YOUR words, YOUR writing, YOUR thoughts. If he does not relent, I'd go to the webmaster and see if he/she will remove the offender's post.

10-21-2008, 10:02 AM	#9
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	Thanks for the advice folks. I would like to post the article excerpt and my original comment so we could all contrast and compare, but for some reason I can't find the review of the South Park episode. Very strange. Thier archives go back a few weeks for a bunch of shows, but South Park isn't there. Hmm.