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.

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.

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.

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.