Plagiarism Report Procedure, the fanfic edition.

This is essentially a duplicate of the fanart procedure.

This forum has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. If you think a story posted here plagiarises another fanfic or any other published work, please follow this procedure:

Do not contact or make a post accusing the poster of theft. It is possible that there has been a mistake or some sort of username confusion.

Fill out the form below and PM it to the mod or admin.

After you have sent the form, please take no further action (such as spreading rumours). It is possible that the moderator will contact you for more information.

If your own fic has been stolen, please follow the above procedure, and mention it in the notes. If you want to avoid being accused of theft, mention any sources that need to be mentioned.

It isn't necessary to give credit if you're making a reference that should be obvious to the reasonably well-informed, or if you re-use a very basic plot. Nothing is ever completely original, after all. The number of plots in the world can be narrowed down to seven or even less (the thirty-six dramatic situations are a more detailed example that seem to cover most of the bases), and we synthesise our ideas from a variety of sources. However, if you take something more substantial than a basic idea, and a reasonably well-informed reader can't be expected to realise you took it, give credit. (And if you take from another fanfic author, bear in mind that in the context of a small community it is wise to ask permission first, though taking-without-permission-but-with-credit is exactly what we're doing to Dragon Booster.)

Examples where credit does not need to be given:

• Using a popular Shakespeare quote.
• Casting Kitt as Antigone.
• Turning Moordryd into Dracula.
• Making Cain wake up as a succubus.
• Referring to Star Wars.
• Using the basic plot of lovers parted because one of them thinks they can do the world more good by marrying another.
• Using a basic fanon theory or idea such as that the extra Crew members have day jobs in factories.
• Writing a distinct story based on a pairing someone else suggested or wrote.

Examples where credit should be given:

• Copying extensive text verbatim or almost verbatim.
• Using a detailed plot from an obscure source (other fanfics count); for example, characters being given specific sets of superpowers thanks to a particular type of magic while others found a new empire.
• Using another fanfic author's OC.
• Writing a crossover involving an obscure source.
• Copying several details from another author's fanwork.

The moderating team will not always find plagiarised content. Please don't ignore it; report it.

This board's moderating team have no say in the content of external websites. However, anything posted in public is open to public commentary. Plagiarism is a serious issue, and people may appreciate being informed of cases relevant to them.