I never thought I would have to warn people of this situation but I have decided that enough is enough. I apologise to my normal law abiding followers /readers for taking this unpleasant step here, but it has to be done.
Sadly plagiarism has,once again reared its ugly head in the blogging sphere in relation to me.
I’m taking steps here and now to post a warning to one person new to the blogging world who might not realise that by copying phrases I use, my style of writing and my subject matter, she is trespassing on my copyright.
This new blogger…I will not name her yet… has decided to imitate my style and choice of subject matter quite blatantly. A style that has been in evidence on the internet for over 10 years now. And is quite distinctive to me.
I had noticed it myself, and was monitoring the situation but decided to act when I received notice from three of my followers to this blog that this plagiarism has, and is currently taking place.
Amazingly, this person has even admitted to copying my phraseology in comments on her blog.
I have had to take successful legal action on this point with regard to plagiarism that I experienced on my other blog and give notice here that I will take legal steps to prevent any further infringement of my copyright if this blogger does not cease forthwith.
Imitation is not flattery : it is actionable in law.
You know who you are( for you are subscribed to this blog and are a very frequent visitor, as revealed by my blog statistics) : stop it or expect legal action to be taken against you and exposure to follow if you continue to infringe my rights.
27 comments
January 7, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Raquel
Dear Vita
once I had my blog completely copied, literally, so the blog (at WordPress) was closed.
I see imitations (sometimes posts entirely copieds, without due credit) here and now, and like you, I am not flattered.
And, believe me, I have been accused of plagiarism only for writing about the same subject. The person knows that it is a lie, but thought I would not know what is commented inside internet closed groups. Poor thing.
Well… I have recorded everything about the subject with my lawyer, just in case.
Sad thing…
January 8, 2010 at 12:32 am
myenglishcountrygarden
I really do sympathise. It happens too often and Im sorry you had to go through that all.
January 7, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Rae
While no one can ever match your depth of knowledge and understanding, it must be annoying to have your style copied! I hope it does not come to formal action, but you are right to protect your individual creation
January 8, 2010 at 12:31 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Oh, Rae thats so lovley of you but there are many more out there who know a lot more than I about Jane Austen. But whole sale copying AND then admitting the same in public( its all been copied, printed out ready for my visit to the lawyers tomorrow) is just unbelievable.
January 7, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Karen
Brava!! When I saw the website in question I was astonished that someone could be so dishonest and/or naive and/or just plain dumb enough to do such a thing. You have to be vigilant about your copyright and intellectual property or people will rip you off left and right.
January 8, 2010 at 12:28 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Yo most certainly do. Which is why I’ll be a busy person tomorrow at the lawyers office. Again.
January 7, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Farah-Naz
When I saw the copied website I was shocked that one person could so blatently copy your work. So I am glad you have made a stand.
January 8, 2010 at 12:28 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Thanks Farah. it is quite shocking to think that someone would be so blatant and think theywoudl not be taken to task about it. Just shocking.
January 7, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Jean B
You rock my dear. Protect what is yours and yours alone. While this person may try to imitate hers is a pale shadow of your vast knowledge and the wonderful way you present it.
Keep it up.
January 8, 2010 at 12:26 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Thanks Jean. Im afraid business like this make you very fierce. Off to the lawyers tomorrow.
January 7, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Cathy Allen
Dear Julie,
Your message deeply saddens me… I can’t think of anything else to say except that I’m sorry it had to come to this, and I’m glad you’re a lawyer!
CEA
January 8, 2010 at 12:24 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Me too
Thanks for your support Cathy,thank you.
January 7, 2010 at 7:51 pm
Daffodil Planter
What would Jane say?!
January 8, 2010 at 12:23 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Probably, my darling , something rather cutting. I am reminded of her letter to Crosby and Sons
January 7, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Margaret
It is very sad that it has to come to legal action. YOUR site is a tremendous asset to JA admirers and it is a shame that sharing your expertise with the world has lead to this problem. Thank you and keep your chin up.
January 8, 2010 at 12:22 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Sad but necessary sometimes. Thank you very much for your comment Margaret,thank you
January 7, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Karen 2L
Yikes, Julie. That’s abominable. Know any good baristers?
January 8, 2010 at 12:22 am
myenglishcountrygarden
Yes,actually I do .
January 8, 2010 at 12:15 am
Abbey
I’m a newer follower to your blog and I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed and appreciated it and your knowledge and passion for Austen. It’s appalling what some people will stoop to and consider acceptable. I’m sorry this has happened and I hope you can get things resolved soon.
January 8, 2010 at 12:39 am
jfwakefield
Thanks Abby, it really is very kind of you to offer support and I thank you all for your comment here.
I am certain this will be resolved , once and for all, very soon.
January 8, 2010 at 1:18 am
Laraine
I’m sorry, dearest. I haven’t seen the website in question (don’t care to, either). But I’m sorry that you’re having to put up with this. The world is full of dull elves and worse. As an always-reading member of your fan club, I hope that you know that we know the real thing we when see it! Hugs!
January 8, 2010 at 1:58 pm
myenglishcountrygarden
Darling-I suppose I ought to be used to dull eleves by this time but this recent exhibition has left me furious and rather sad,that someone would attempt to imitate one to the point of trying to take away ones identity. Im glad you are one of my devoted and discerning fans
Hugs right back to youX
January 8, 2010 at 7:24 am
olde.fashioned
I have been a huge fan of yours ever since discovering Pemberley.com many years ago (and now likewise a huge fan of this blog), and you have taught me so much that I cannot begin to elaborate on how many factoids that now reside in my brain were first placed there by your magnificent posts and group read contributions. How abominable that someone should stoop to copying you! Is there any way you can enlighten your readers as to this offender’s site so that we can know it for what it is, and avoid supporting it? (I haven’t seen any copycats of yours yet, must have missed this one, so that’s why I’m asking.)
At any rate, please keep the jewels of knowledge coming! (And I STILL say you ought to write a book!)
January 8, 2010 at 1:59 pm
myenglishcountrygarden
Well! Thank you SO much for these lovely comments.How very, very kind.I’m not going to pass on the details because the miscreant appear to have agreed to cease forthwith: but if there are any more indents of trouble I will let you all know.
Hmm.. A book…well you never know
January 11, 2010 at 12:49 am
Natalie
Alas, I am sorry. I wrote something on Jane Austen about a decade ago and large portions of it were all copied onto the Internet. The publisher (and it was a large, well-known publisher) did not care to pursue the matter. I did not want to pay somebody to remedy the situation. Left a really really bad taste in my mouth and esophogus.
I hope that your notice works.
January 11, 2010 at 1:47 pm
jfwakefield
Thanks ,Natalie. I am sorry to hear your al too familiar story. There are steps you can take but money does pay a big part in pursuing things. Luckily my old profession has given me some knowledge(and contacts)re how to deal with these dreadful people. I wish you better luck in the future.
March 17, 2010 at 1:49 am
Simone Campos
Parabéns pelo post.