Comments on: Writers and Attribution

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:13:33 +0000

That's what separates you from the pack, Paula. You get that attribution is required in all cases.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 14:26:25 +0000

I tend to do the same thing with recipes and knitting patterns, too.

I never claim I invented a recipe or pattern if I got it from someone (or somewhere else). I'm not making my famous mac & cheese, I'm making my sister-in-law's mother's recipe (which she got off a Cremette box in the '70s). I didn't make my roasted tomatoes last week, I made Meetal's roasted tomatoes. Even if I've adapted a recipe or pattern, I'll do my best to mention it or at least say where I found the original.

The same should apply to any ideas. Occasionally you'll forget where something comes from, but that's not license to claim you created it. Writers — or anyone dealing with any form of IP - should know better.

When those bloggers lift ideas without giving credit, it only negates the air professionalism they're trying to project.

By: Lori Widmer

Lori Widmer — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 14:06:09 +0000

Cathy, I forget sometimes, too. It's when it's constant that I start to wonder, hmm...is that person just not getting how to do this?

Oh, I've had that happen, too. That's another example of how NOT to use another person's ideas -- maybe the best example!

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 12:15:51 +0000

Right on, Lori. I always try to give credit and if my boomer brain forgets, I admit it's not my idea or that my post was inspired by someone else.

I've experienced having a blog comment of mine lifted verbatim and included in another writer's (and I use the term loosely) list post - 10 Ways to Do XX.

It's not that I wanted credit as much as it was such a blatant rip-off. She didn't even have the decency to create a variation. How rude. ;-)