Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hello Startupnation Community!

I have a quick question for all of you here in the community.  I understand that posting on forums are a "free for all" in most cases in the sense that anything said is there for the world to see.  I like to post my knowledge in the forum because I would like to help anyone I can with the information that I have.

That being said, how would you feel if you were randomly browsing the web and then you saw something you posted in a forum completely plagiarized by someone else?

On top of that, the person also visits the thread that you started and then blatantly advertises their services into the thread that you`ve posted.

I`m just a little annoyed, as I share my experiences openly to help others out.  But to see my words copied so that someone else can take credit completely irritates me.

How would you feel in this case?  And what would you do about it, if anything at all?  I know that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I believe in the concept that you should give credit where credit is due.

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Oliver Mupas
United Bank Card
866-207-6007 ext 303
omupas@ubcnetworkonline.com

(If you give) Give like the rose gives its perfume -- effortlessly, unconditionally because it is its own nature. --Vivekananda

It would be annoying, but... whatever.  I guess I wouldn`t do too much about it because it takes more effort than it`s worth... and to what end. Oh well. I say.

At least you know you are doing something so right, that others are copying you.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

There are not many originals out there, but you have those who see`s something. and think, "Great wording!" Although someone took your words, they figured they are being graded to post your exact words. It should make you feel like a brilliant writer if someone is inspired by your words.

Well I agree with all of the above the best practice is to let it go. However, sometimes that`s easier said than done. If you want credit you could always post to the plagiarizer`s thread - I couldn`t agree with you more see my comments on the subject last week: [add link to your original post].

I`m with Eli on this one.

First of all OMUPAS,
There is a place that SUN has created where you can post your marketing material, your Merchant POS machines and so forth and that is called the MARKET PLACE. What I`ve noticed in your posts is that you are selling your products not educating in the forums.
let me give you an example, this posting of yours http://www.startupnation.com/pages/community/forum_posts.asp ?TID=4393
If any one reads it they would think you where just scammed. Coming to find out, it was regarding your services... If it wouldn`t of been that I could have helped you you would have never said anything about you being a merchant account sales person. So if you don`t want people to feed off your posting and mess up your sales, Post your specials on the Market Place and help others on the forum.



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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Elids,
Thanks for the quote, like RDGinc said, easier said than done.  This experience isn`t going to stop me from sharing my knowledge, it was just a bit disturbing to see someone lift a thread of mine and repost the whole thing word for word and not give credit, but at the same time, like the quote says, give unconditionally right?

iouone2 & raisecapital02,
Thanks for your remarks

Nuevolution,
I`m fairly new to the startupnation community, I was just pointed in the marketplace direction very recently, and since have posted something brief in the market place.  After re-reading my first post in the forum, I could see how it could look like I was scammed.  However, do you really feel that i am "not educating in the forums"?  What about my posts on "free terminals" and "monthly minimums."  I thought I was helping to shed some light on those areas, if you have any feedback on how to make them more educational I`d certainly appreciate it.  Also, I don`t so much mind others posting their services in my threads, I appreciate competition and I encourage my clients to shop around, it`s a business owner doing their own due dilegence by doing so.  This was just the "straw that broke the camels back" in this particular case.  I was more disturbed about my post being copy and pasted into someone`s own blog.  Either way, I appreciate your comment as well.  My short time here in the forum so far, I`ve noticed you are very helpful in your posts and your knowledge in different areas.

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Oliver Mupas
United Bank Card
866-207-6007 ext 303
omupas@ubcnetworkonline.com

I`m a writer, talker, and have lots of advice...some of which even makes sense! :-) If you want something to be a secret, keep it between you and God.

Nobody`s "plagiarized" anything you`ve put out into a forum. If you have it copyrighted in print, they might have done so. That`s the small point.

The much larger point has to do with original knowledge and information. Suppose you explain in detail, on a forum, exactly how to unwind a snafu. Now suppose someone else "borrows" your description, word-for-word, and they go into business unwinding snafus.

Somewhere along the line, since they`re only copying you, not using their own mind, they`re going to get in over their head. They`re going to have problems and won`t know how to solve them. At that point, they`ll be "found out" for having only copied you, not having developed the process on their own.

On the other hand, if what you`re offering is unique and unusual, it would likely stand to have some help being spread around. Suppose nobody every thought of what it is you wrote about? How would people know to even ask about it?

The person who`s borrowed your knowledge is just spreading around the idea that there are people with answers in your particular area.

My thinking is that in general, particulary where it comes to information services, either copycats help to spread a good idea, or the idea is so complex, only the original author can keep it relevant. If you want a more strict control over the idea, put it in a book and copyright the book.