Resolution

[hils]

Since the author I have 'plagiarised' is so unwilling to contact me I decided to take the first step. I was going to e mail her but then decided an LJ comment would be better so people can see I'm not being totally unreasonable about it

Ok, I have a suggestion. I'm tired of this and I'm sure you are too. I still maintain that aside from some vague storyline similarities our fics are not the same. Yes, I took it down because I was worried I was going to get spammed by your friends. I put it back up as soon as I calmed down. It was nothing to do with 'guilt'

I'm saddened you felt you could e mail at least one person on my friends list about this but not talk to me. I know we're not best friends or anything but I thought we'd interacted enough on community name removed to be able to sort this out like mature adults instead of just venting.

So, I propose this. Make your case on stop_plagiarism. They deal with this sort of thing all the time. I've used them in the past when someone copied my fic word for word and claimed it was their own (another reason why this post upset me so much)

If they agree that the stories are similar enough for it to be plagairism then I will take it down/make a public apology/whatever you want.

If they side with me I'm happy to just leave it at that.

You'll see I've already left community name removed. Again, nothing do with my 'guilt' I just saw you were considering booting me and took the first step. I really didn't need that embarassment on top of everything else.

Oh, and for the record I have NO idea who name removed is. It's not me, I assure you from that. I'm not so cowardly that I would resort to creating a sockpuppet account. Do an IP address check if you don't believe me.

Comments

[danceswithgary]

I've created a post that is currently limited to you and one other person where I highlighted the sections that seem to be at issue. I can open that filter as needed.

I stand by my earlier statement in the other author's journal. My reputation as a beta is at stake here and I absolutely do not believe this is a case of theft or plagarism.

I stay away from wank and I think this entire situation did not need to be a case for fandom to take sides. A simple email from the other author could have started a discussion without a lot of finger-pointing.

I applaud the suggestion to engage stop_plagiarism. I would hate to see a talented author driven away by a baseless accusation of this type.

[hils.livejournal.com]

That's what upset me, especially since I know her even in a vague sense. The first I heard about it was when someone else left a comment and I went over to her journal and saw the post about me.

The first thing I do when this sort of thing happens is e mail the person

[tariel22.livejournal.com]

Well done. You're acting with honesty and dignity, without a speck of drama, and you suggest a resolution that is absolutely fair and impartial. Kudos to you for reaching out. I hope she can meet you halfway and put this issue to rest. Hang in there. *hugs*

[hils.livejournal.com]

She seemed reluctant at first but when I asked her to offer a suggestion she didn't have any. Just got to wait and see if she posts now.

Boy am I going to be embarassed if they side with her. LOL!

[sassangel.livejournal.com]

Not really sure what the situation is here but I know personally I would be absolutley mortified if someone accused me of plagerism. It's the highest insult you can give a fic writer. Now, as I've read neither story and have no earthly idea which storys are involved I still want to lend you my support. I have seen you around fandom since the ole Buffy days and never once considered you for this kind of thing. I hope everything works out for you.

[hils.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I was absolutely devastated when I found out yesterday. All I want to do it clear my name and I absolutely want her to make her case to an impartial panel.

Whatever the outcome at least I tried.

[bogwitch.livejournal.com]

I so need to get on with my baying mob icon.

[moxie-fic.livejournal.com]

It's only plagiarism if you read her story first and knowingly copied it/elements from it. If you wrote the same ideas independently then that's fine. No one has copyright on ideas. All you have to do in these situations is laugh together and say great minds think alike. If you assert that you had the same ideas but independent of the other writer then you're doing nothing wrong. Goodness, if having the same ideas for stories in fanfic was plagiarism then half the stories out there would qualify. If I were you I'd put a note on the story just alerting people to the fact that it's your story, and any similarity to anything out there is purely co incidental.

[hils.livejournal.com]

I would, but she is accusing me of plagairism and I really can't let her say that about me

[moxie-fic.livejournal.com]

ps.

If they agree that the stories are similar enough for it to be plagairism then I will take it down/make a public apology/whatever you want.

Wouldn't advise doing this. Stories being similar is not what plagiarism is. Plagiarism is theft. If you know you didn't copy the story then that's the end of it. Take it down if it makes you feel better, but if these people judge against you then it's tantamount to allowing yourself to be publicly called a thief. Apology is only required if you did something wrong.

[hils.livejournal.com]

I really don't think it's going to be a problem. I didn't see any other way to clear my name. She's already accusing me of theft

[danaid-luv.livejournal.com]

Smart move to send this as a comment rather than an e-mail--the 'public forum', which she's certainly made use of, needs to see that you're behaving maturely & not about to hide--no reason to, is there?

You've handled this all with a deft hand--kudos to you, luv.

[hils.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hun

[mskatej.livejournal.com]

Shit dude, that sucks. justforspite is being really weird about the whole thing. I mean for fuck's sake, so what if some of the ideas are the same? That's what happens in fandom! We love cliches here so much we base challenges around them all the time! Look at all the themed recs pages out there, look at all the LJ entries about people's favourite kinks, look at all the lists of popular tropes and cliches. If you use your own words and tell the story in your own way, you're not a plagiarist. Period.

[hils.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I really am trying hard to sort this out. I really don't want to be labelled as a plagiarist, even by someone a bit weird. LOL

[gillo]

I've been so busy I've not really kept track of this, but I'm really sad that you've been made to feel so uncomfortable. It's ridiculous to think you would plagiarise anyone.

{{{hugs}}}

[hils.livejournal.com]

Thanks *hugs*

[hobbituk.livejournal.com]

Blimey. Smallville has a crankier and more precious fandom than buffy... who knew?

I don't do slash (as you know) so I really don't think I could bear to track this person's story down and actually read it. But I definitely believe you wouldn't plagiarise her so, look at me!! on your side of the picket...

[hils.livejournal.com]

YAY! Thank you!

Yes, this is all a bit insane

[tasabian.livejournal.com]

As others have pointed out, there are so many common themes and slash-fic cliches floating about that, yeah, wholly different stories can share some common factors. Hope this is over soon - it must be stressful for you.

[hils.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's not fun

Thanks!

[selinamoonfire.livejournal.com]

*HUGS*

[hils.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*