What about plagiarism on Yahoo Answers?

Question

I read two postings today about the same question and they where both obvious quotations from the same source. Both quotations started with the word Biology which I assume was the name of the source, but I do not think that is adequate acknowledgement.
What are the rules for online postings in regard to plagiarism?

The postings that I am referring to were clearly reproductions of an entire column, from a publication. As far as reporting people, that’s not my style.

Answer 1

As far as I know, it is the policy of YA to require people to specify the source of their answers, if the answer is reproduced either in verbatim or summarised from a source that has published the information somewhere else. Some of the published information may be protected by copyright laws and any quotation therefrom needs prior approval of the owner of the copyright.
It is unfortunate that many people who quote from other publications dont take care to give the exact source of their information - it is not at all fair to the original writer whose intellectual property rights may be violated. It is common sense that the source material from which an answer is drafted, particularly when it is quoted word for word, is not acknowledged. It is easy to get information on the internet nowadays with so many search engines available, but unfair to claim it as one's original answer by not giving credit where it is due. Those who answer questions need to be aware of their obligations.

Answer 2

The Answers Community Guidelines rule # 14: "Repect Copyright Law: You may not post contect that ingringes on the intellectual property, privacy or other rights of third parties." Plagiarism would be included in this rule.

As long as a person doesn't claim it to be their own original ideas and as long as they state they obtained it elsewhere, even if they don't say exactly where. If they admit it's not their own idea or writings, and they are not attempting to claim it as their own or to use it in a school environment towards a grade or at work, then they most likely would not be considered as having plagiarised the idea, the writing work, etc.

If you see an obvious plagiarism, type in the key words in your search bar, find the source and inform them.

Make sure you are not mistaking a shared idea as plagiarism.

Many ideas are shared by many people; having an idea or comment simular to one in writing is not plagiarism. I'm working on a book, from personal exerience and some things that I talk about in my book others have also writen on the issue, sometimes having simular opinions or conclusions as I have, but not exactly. Our ideas are simular, but neither they nor I are guilty of plagiarism. In many cases I've been writing about the issue, subject for years; then some one else writes something about it before mine is published, it doesn't mean they plagiarised me or that I'm plagiarising them.

Plagorism is when someone claims as their own an article, essay, book, poem, etc. that has been writen by someone else, and for the most part quotes the other person's writing word for word; or claims another persons ideas as their own, that the other person has copyright claim upon. When they quote word for word or idea for idea something someone has already published and claim it as their own, then they have plagiarised.


If someone took one of my poems and only changed a word here and there, but it could clearly be decerned that it was not an original work of poety, but a knock off of my work, then they'd be legally guilty of plagiarism.

If you clearly see people Plagiarizing someone else, thatt's what reporting abuse is all about. You report them by clicking on report abuse next to their question. Then stating why you believe they have violated rule #14.

I hope some of what I've stated can help you and addresses your question and ovious genuine concern over plagiarism.

HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Answer 3

I've been quoting, directly, from sources in answering posts but I always cite the exact web page where I got the information from, I have not cited the author in my posts, however, which I suppose I should do. And, for anyone reading this, "who should give a rat's ***?" We all should because it's attitudes like that that are the main problem with our society today. Plagarism here, cheating and stealing there.....it's a short spiral down, folks.

Answer 4

A common form of plagiarism in Yahoo Answers that seems to happen on a regular basis is when someone uses your answer verbatim, and claims it as his/her own.
I've reported a chronic offender several times, but he continues with the practice.

Answer 5

Accordingto
www.turniti.com
one must not post quotes or unrightfully borrowed text without specifically stating accurate information. well, it is the internet not your english paper. what is the government going to do track down every single yahoo account who did not link a source? well they cant. its not a big deal, but people should respect others words and cite their source. :)

Answer 6

There doesn't seem to be any plagiarism rules on Yahoo Answers.