Re: URGENT: Immediate ethical issue ---> need your input NOW

[John Fleming <nospam -at- sprynet -dot- com>]

On Sun, 4 May 2003 08:05:25 +0200, in bit.listserv.techwr-l you
wrote:

> $| I think you need to make it
> $| clear that you have found examples of material where the author
> $| has borrowed without acknowledging or requesting permission from
> $| the copyright holder.
> $
> $I would phrase it differently: Say that you've found in the Internet 
> $material that is phrased exactly the same as the one submitted by the 
> $author. Explain what percentage of your searches turned up suspect 
> $material to give the editor an indication of the likely scope of the 
> $problem.
> $
> $I would NOT use words as "borrowed" or "improperly" or anythign else 
> $that judges the authors behavior. You are in the lucky situation not to 
> $have to pass such judgement, so you can avoid judging wrong (which 
> $could lead to problems for you). After all, there may be entirely 
> $innocuous explanations - the text in question may be some boilerplate 
> $text mandated by some agency, or it may have been written by the author 
> $on a previous assignment and he or she may have retained the copyright.
> $
> $It seems best that you just report the facts as you have found them and 
> $leave any conclusions to the editor.

Jan, your phrasing is much more diplomatic than mine, and maybe
less likely to ruffle feathers that shouldn't be ruffled.

I'll concur with your suggestion.

--
John Fleming
Technical Writer
Edmonton, Canada

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