Page Originality / Where is the imaginary line?

[Agnafl]

I have found a few pages on line that are a great resource for me on a particular city that we service. If I choose to re-write it using my own words and other resources, what is the rule of thumb (if one exists) on duplicate content and even worse copyright infringement. I have written the page (not on line yet) and checked against copyscape and only 1 result comes back. It happens to be the article I used to write from. The relevancy in only 12% and there are only 190 words that match out of 800 (most of which are not important keywords). I do want to do anything that is shady or sinister so I would like some feedback as to whether this makes me a scumbag or is common practice as long as it has been re-written in my own words.

[Homesurfer]

It seems to me, the bigger issue is, "What are the ethics of plagiarizing someone else's work?"

The Realtor's Code of Ethics is supposed to be based on The Golden Rule. Ever hear of it?

[Agnafl]

"I do want to do anything that is shady or sinister so... "

That is why I am asking. I wanted to see if there was an industry standard or line that defines what is deemed acceptable -vs- plagiarism. Don't question my ethics! if I was unethical I would have just turned the page live and said the hell with it! I am just looking for some constructive advice and having just googled the word "plagiarism" I think I have found it....

[mkrotchie]

Write your own original content. Don't look at another article and try to redo it. It's a dangerous game dancing on the plagiarism line and I think everyone here would agree to not test the boundaries.

[Homesurfer]

"I do want to do anything that is shady or sinister so... "

That is why I am asking. I wanted to see if there was an industry standard or line that defines what is deemed acceptable -vs- plagiarism. Don't question my ethics! if I was unethical I would have just turned the page live and said the hell with it! I am just looking for some constructive advice and having just googled the word "plagiarism" I think I have found it....

You were considering plagiarism. Plagiarism is theft. If you were considering theft as a marketing tactic, don't you see how someone could wonder where you are on the ethical razor? Shouldn't someone word things so strongly that you would have to actually realize what you were contemplating was not ethical -- so you would be forced back into the "white hat" area of ethics?

As a writer and probably the most copied and plagiarized real estate writer on the web, I'm pretty blunt about letting people know when they are contemplating theft, especially when they say it right out in the open like they don't even realize it is theft.

Look at Michael's advice above. It is good advice.

[Agnafl]

Thanks Mike,

I just wanted to put the question out there to get a better idea of what is wrong and what is right. You are absolutely correct, I do not want to test any boundaries and figured what better place than the forum to get a straight answer on a touchy subject.

[OCTeam]

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Look at Michael's advice above.

Hey, Terry, if you are formatted so the newest post is on top then it would be look at advice below. Never thought you were before now, but I finally see why you call yourself an Idiot! LOL... (JK)

[Agnafl]

You were considering plagiarism. Plagiarism is theft.

I was not considering plagiarism. After looking at what I wrote and comparing it to the resource, it struck some doubt in my mind which prompted the question that I put right out there in the open.

Now if the word "considering" from your statement above is meant to have an indirect implication to it, then I can see what you mean. Your post is very defensive and borderline accusatory, but I understand from your perspective why that is. Please look at it from my perspective though (a very inexperienced writer) and at least give me the credit due for asking the question so I don't inadvertantly step over the line. No disrespect intended what-so-ever just want to make sure that I continue with the "white hat" (as you stated above) philosphy.

[webmaster]

This is a very important topic: For some reason, new users and writers on the web think that content on the web is not the same (Or covered by the same rules) as any other copy written work (Hehe punny huh) - they just assume because computers have a copy paste key, it must be OK to use it.

You are often times going to need to go to the web, and other articles and publications for "facts" which cannot be copyrighted, however once you have gathered all your "facts" (And to be safe write the "facts" down even in your own words, perhaps in a bulleted list) close whatever pages or articles you were looking at and walk away for a day or two - Formulate YOUR idea for an article, and only open the document where you saved the "facts" for reference.

I know you weren't wanting to do anything intentionally wrong - You just didn't know (And no, not everyone can be expected to know copyright law, some people are ignorant of it's very existence, never mind it's practical application) - and I am very glad you asked. This thread (And the responses I am sure are going to follow) should be in a list of top threads to read before creating your website. It is never ok to copy someone's writing, graphics or design or anything else you encounter on the web. Live by this assumption and you can't go wrong

[Agnafl]

Thanks Morgan.