Re: Ethical Question

[Michael LaTorra <mikel -at- HUEY -dot- ACCUGRAPH -dot- COM>]

Lori Lathrop wrote on Thu, 8 Sep 1994 about a friend of
hers using the cover graphic from the book _Graphic Design
for the Electronic Age_ on his business card. Lori wonders
what she should do:

>Should I keep my mouth shut and let him take the
>heat if one of his clients should discover the source of his graphic
>design?  Or should I find a tactful way (and what way would that be?) to
>tell him about my "discovery" in hopes of sparing him any future
>embarrassment?

IMHO, what you should do depends on how close is your friendship
with the (alleged) plagiarist.  If you are close friends, then
you could mention seeing his business card graphic on a book cover.
It will be up to him what to do (i.e., come clean or lie again).
If you are not very close to this person, you would be better off
not getting involved.  Your ethical obligation is slight in this
situation, but you'll probably be uneasy if you do not address
your personal feelings (i.e, what you conscience is telling you).

One more thing. A wise friend once gave me this advice:

"Never give advice.  If your advice is good, you won't get credit.
If it's bad, you'll definitely be blamed."

I've just violated his advice.  But then again, if he had taken his own
advice he wouldn't have given any.

Live long & prosper,
Mike LaTorra

Documentation Supervisor
Accugraph Inc.
mikel -at- accugraph -dot- com
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The opinions expressed are my own, and not necessarily those of my
company -- but they probably should be.
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