The spikess/Empress Galaxia case poll

[bogwitch]

There appears to be a split in consensus regarding the decision this community should make in this case. In the interest of fairness, and to take some of the pressure off the moderators, it was decided that a poll might be the best way forward regarding this issue.

Poll The brynspikess/Empress Galaxia case

Comments

[liz_marcs]

I feel I have to vote for plagiarism.

I know I've been waffling between "watch list" and "plagiarism" list, but upon taking time to think about it, I have to go down on the harsher side.

My problem still remains was that BillK was not even aware that his idea was even borrowed (let alone passages used almost word-for-word) until a reader contact him. Furthermmore, I have issues with the fact that spikess said she had permission when initially confronted, when in fact she did not.

Although she may not have intentionally intended to plagiarize, the point is when called on it, she did state a mistruth, which indicates that she was at least aware she was walking in checkered territory.

The issue remains is that permission should have been sought before she even started writing, or baring that, before either story was posted. It was not.

It is on this point that my vote hinges.

I know I'm swimming against the tide for leniency on this one, and I know that my vote is mostly symbolic in that regard.

On the other hand, I do appreciate the way this case was handled and that all parties involved remained polite and level-headed throughout.

[wesleysgirl]

I completely agree.