What is Plagiarism? Why is it a punishable offence?
Table of Contents
What is Plagiarism?
Simply put, Plagiarism means stealing. Surprised? If you look into an English dictionary to find the meaning of word plagiarism, it will give somewhat like “the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one’s own original work.”
MEANING OF PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is stealing someone else’s intellectual work and representing it as your own work without citing the source of information.
Thus, Plagiarism is stealing someone else’s intellectual work (can be an idea, literary work or academic work etc.) and representing it as your own work without giving credit to creator or without citing the source of information.
Any of the following acts would be termed as Plagiarism:
- Using some other author’s work without giving credit to the author.
- Using someone else’s work in incorrect form than intended originally by the author/creator.
- Modifying/lifting someone’s production such as music-composition etc. without attributing it to the creator of the work.
- Giving incorrect or incorrect source of information i.e., wrongful citation.
- Failure in giving credit or acknowledging the contribution of others in a collaborative effort, to which you are also part of.
How not to Plagiarize ?
As most universities¹ put in their student-handbook. “To avoid plagiarism: You must give credit whenever you use
◆ another person’s idea, opinion, or theory;
◆ quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words;
◆ Paraphrase of another person’s spoken or written words.
Why is it a punishable offence?
‘If plagiarism involves copying not only ideas but also a substantial portion of a copyrighted work without attribution and without permission, it would amount to both copyright infringement and the violation of the ‘special right’ of the author to be credited.
Copyright infringement and the violation of an author’s right to be credited are both civil wrongs and criminal offences. A civil suit may be instituted, and criminal charges may also be filed’.
Both civil suit and criminal charges are punishable offences and amount to fine and penalties.