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Understanding Plagiarism in Creative Media

Apr 8, 2025,

Lecture Notes: Plagiarism in Creative Media

Introduction

  • Plagiarism remains a prevalent issue in creative media, affecting writers, YouTubers, and other creators.
  • Several cases discussed where plagiarism occurred, highlighting the impact and consequences.

Historical Case of Plagiarism

  • 1970s Case Study: Harlan Ellison and Ben Bova
    • Published "Brillo," a story about the first robot police officer.
    • Idea later adapted into TV show "Future Cop" without their consent.
    • Successful lawsuit led to $337,000 in damages.
    • Ellison's public campaign to warn writers about plagiarism.

Modern Plagiarism in YouTube

  • Plagiarism on YouTube

    • No recent successful plagiarism lawsuits in creative fields.
    • Filmmakers and creators struggle to protect their original content.
  • Case Study: Filip Miucin

    • Former IGN editor caught plagiarizing game reviews, notably "Dead Cells."
    • Investigation revealed multiple instances of plagiarism.
    • Ignited discussion on ethics in gaming journalism.
  • Case Study: Cinemassacre "Monster Madness"

    • Allegations of plagiarism in horror movie reviews.
    • Involved the use of uncredited writing from external sources.
    • Led to significant backlash and internal changes.
  • Case Study: iilluminaughtii (Blair Zon)

    • Accused of plagiarizing documentaries and articles.
    • Linked sources in a disconnected list, drawing criticism.
    • Prominent use of filters and editing to mask source material.
  • Case Study: Internet Historian "Man in Cave"

    • Removed due to plagiarism of a Mental Floss article by Lucas Reilly.
    • Original video removed and reuploaded with changes.
    • Public reaction and handling of the situation criticized.

Ethical Concerns and Solutions

  • Why Plagiarism Happens

    • Desire for quick success and recognition.
    • Lack of understanding of original work's value.
  • Community and Industry Impact

    • Trust issues among creators and audiences.
    • Encourages a culture of skepticism and criticism.
  • Potential Solutions

    • Emphasizing transparency and crediting sources.
    • Encouraging original content creation and ethical standards.

Conclusion

  • Importance of addressing plagiarism to protect creative integrity.
  • Need for industry recognition of ethical challenges.
  • Encouragement for creators to value originality and credit.