I feel compelled to write about this because I take my blog very seriously. As I’ve said in the past, I began this blog as a way to begin the dialogue about what it means to be a Theta Mom. I have since built an amazing community of women and mothers here. When I receive emails, I respond to the best of my ability and I even helped many of you find the resources that you needed, especially in reference to blogging.
This is the kind of support I am proud of. This is the kind of support that communities thrive from.
However, never would I imagine that a fellow blogger would actually plagiarize an entire page from this blog word for word and place it on her own blog as if it was her own. She literally copied and pasted my entire page, simply adding in the name of her own blog where appropriate.
That is STEALING.
I work very had to create posts that are authentic and original. Furthermore, every company that I work with knows who they are dealing with at Theta Mom because of the policies that I created myself and set forth on this blog.
The bottom line?
Plagiarism is stealing.
It’s unethical.
And it needs to stop.
As bloggers, plagiarism is something that potentially affects all of us, so I would love to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about it and how do you handle it?
***Update: I found out about this yesterday and I am so grateful for your support. As fellow bloggers, you totally understand how wrong this is. Although the blogger referenced in this post has not responded to my emails, she has taken down the page. I was just on her blog this morning and it has been removed. Maybe she finally got the hint that plagiarism is a serious offense and it certainly won’t be tolerated.
I don’t get it. Are they deliberately trying to KILL their own blog or something??
.-= Hear Mum Roar´s last blog ..Another trip to the dam =-.
Holy Cow, I can’t believe someone swiped your post!!! That is horrible. I agree with you that it is stealing. I take my blog very seriously, it’s my online journal. My last few posts have centered around different blogging themes that others have used (my grateful post, a wordless post) but I always say where I got the idea from.
Sadly, I think you need to confront the thief, and demand she take the post down, and have her write an apology on her blog. What a lousy way to end the year. Hopefully you can put it behind you quickly and enjoy your New Years.
.-= Molly´s last blog ..I’m Grateful, Thankful and Appreciative =-.
Yes Molly, I did confront her. Unfortunately she didn’t respond to my emails. However, as I just updated this post, I recently went to her blog and she has removed the page. I think she finally got the hint…thanks for your support!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Plagiarism Will Not Be Tolerated =-.
Awhhh man!! I’m so sorry I would be so offended!!! I’m glad she took down the page. AS IF!
Sorry to hear about the plagarism. Hope it works out. For now, I usually just post about my family life and events. So I really don’t have to worry so much about that kind of stuff. Plus, my writing skills need some work so unless someone really wanted a post with major grammar or spelling issues, they wouldn’t steal mine
.-= Christine @ Propeller Head Mom´s last blog ..Random Tuesday Thoughts: Spontaneously Combust =-.
Plagarism – very bad. Very lazy. They should not be blogging if they need to copy!
.-= Emily´s last blog ..In 2010… =-.
Ok, they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but that’s not imitating, that’s DUPLICATING WORD FOR WORD!! Not cool. If she liked the article/post so much, great – reference YOU and give you the credit. I think we’re all on board here with you girl!!
.-= The imPerfect Housewife´s last blog ..The after-Christmas blow-out =-.
How HORRIBLE! I’m so glad you found out about it! I also think its wrong she won’t respond to you. Booooo!!!
Visiting from SITS!
WOW!!! I’m shocked!!! I can’t believe she would have the gaul to actually copy and paste your entired page! Then actually believe that you or no one else would recognize it. I’m so glad you posted this and brought it to other bloggers attention. At least she did something right by taking it down right away. Sad huh?
.-= Tamara Mesenbourg´s last blog ..Peed My Pants =-.
I have to admit, I kinda want to know who did it. That is so weird.
Wow…People surprise me everyday and I do not know why I am still surprised. I had someone follow me and then as soon as I would post she would post the same topic right away and copy my blog look. There are a lot of weird things that go on in the blogger world. Sorry this happened to you
Wow. I have to admit I want to steal your Twitter Pic and Post it for Hottie of the Week if you don’t send me one through email. Hahaha….Your fabulous who wouldn’t want to copy you!:)
.-= Victoria´s last blog ..I’m a Bitch What Else is New =-.
Wow! The NERVE! Good for you for calling her out! I just found your blog so I’m excited to read what is so fabulous it has to be stolen. Have a Happy New Year!
.-= Aimee´s last blog ..Has the dust settled? =-.
I can see referencing your post and giving you full credit beyond that doesn’t make sense.
Stopping by from SITS!
Just stopping by via SITS. Personal blogging is all still fairly new to me. But I do have a teacher blog where I post my daily plans and ideas for the day. I recently found out a co-worker was waiting until I post, to copy my plans and put her name on them. Yeah, it stung a little. Some people are just plain lazy. Good for you for calling her out!
I would be very upset too. Im glad she got the hint and took it down.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Wordful Wednesday =-.
that’s just foul! I worry about plagiarism all the time. how did you find out? the say imitation is the best form of flattery, but not when someone just lifts your entire content and parades it around as her own.
Did she think she wouldn’t get caught?!
.-= Teresha@ Marlie and Me´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Baby New Year =-.
Teresha- My thoughts exactly. Did she really think I wouldn’t realize or not care? I just don’t get it. Just glad she at least took it down….
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Plagiarism Will Not Be Tolerated =-.
Yeah for you for sticking up for yourself. It’s amazing that someone will go and try to steal your stuff already knowing what a tight community we have. Glad to hear she took down the page.
Keep up the good work!
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Productivity I Seek, Love I Have Found! =-.
Wow, nothing surprises me anymore. Glad you found out and it worked out.
.-= Mimi´s last blog ..Sometimes I wish……. =-.
Wow, that is shocking! I can’t believe someone would do that! What in the world???!!!
I am enjoying getting caught up on your blog today. Thank you for the comment on my post a couple of weeks about about the eczema, it’s nice to know you can relate, however I’m sorry your kids have to deal with it. I hope it goes away for them!!! So far Logan’s hasn’t come back since we’ve been using Aveeno so I really hope it continues to work!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..RIP Brittany Muprhy =-.
OMG! What is going on with people?!!!!???!?!?!?!?
But you are a lady and you handled it with dignity. I am glad to hear that she took down the content that she stole from you.
.-= sophia’s mom´s last blog ..Hot Nanny Saga Ends: Because The Moral Of This Story Is That She Is Going To Burn In Hell & You Should Always Follow Your Gut! =-.
Heather, it’s been a while. I sorry to hear about this woman. I’m glad she realized she needed to remove the copied post.
Heather, I’m so happy to see you have over a 1,000 women following you. What a blessing. Last time I came over it was 500. That’s pretty amazing.
I pray for a continued growth for during 2010.
Blessings my friend.
Jasmine
.-= Jasmine´s last blog ..I Love Walking With My Daugther =-.
Wow Jasmine, it has been awhile! So great to see you! I am heading over to your blog now!
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Plagiarism Will Not Be Tolerated =-.
So glad she removed the post. I’ve seen a few of my own on others sites, but thankfully they have always given me credit for the post and referenced my site – such a frustarating thing to happen! I’m so sorry!
.-= My Favorite Everything´s last blog ..Making lists, kicking booties, taking names! =-.
I actually just received a formal apology from her in an email and that the post was unintentional…
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Plagiarism Will Not Be Tolerated =-.
That is rediculous! I am quiet new here, and I know how hard it is to blog and post ideas that haven’t been done, but that is not a “human” thing to do.
I know that “we” all work hard to have our blogs look and feel a certain way, but don’t copy and paste word for word someone elses hard work!
For the person who did this(if you are new): Be patient, surf for IDEAS, no plagirism, and credit the person that you may have learned, sewed, tuted, or whatever else, that gets you further than StEaLiNg;} These bloggers didn’t get here over night and neither will you~
.-= Chacoy´s last blog ..Sick Christmas……. =-.
I admit, I’m jealous, I can’t be as cool as you, but I wouldn’t steal from ya!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Wednesday Review =-.
Wow….that’s creepy!
I’m not so worried about that myself. Who would want to use what I write?
It’s my own family fluff stuff! Not anything worth stealing!
Sorry you’re feeling that weird assault thing! People just goof!
.-= wanda´s last blog ..It’s a dream, ok? =-.
Well done for handling it so well.
.-= Hear Mum Roar´s last blog ..Best blog posts of 2009 =-.
Hear Mum Roar- Thank you! Taking the high road, it’s always better in the end that way.
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Plagiarism Will Not Be Tolerated =-.
Thats just pure craziness. I have quoted people on my blog before, but would never just out and out steal something they have put so much heart and thought into.
You may never get the “I’m Sorry” that you deserve, but at least its not on her site anymore. And as they say reproduction is the best form of flattery….
I hope it never happens again.
PS. I love your blog!
Mandi
Wow my darling, I’ve heard of it happening but haven’t come across it yet. I’m sorry someone would do that, and not only copy and paste but change names to their own really makes it very sneaky.
I love that people love what I post and don’t mind if you reference me or even put it in quotes with a link to me, but a little thought has to go into what you do.
Glad it has been taken down, but when you make a mistake the best thing to do is to apologize. Heck it’s an email if you don’t like face to face it’s the best way to say sorry and be done with it! Crap once I hurt someones feeling at work and actually posted a sorry letter on my blog. Fall on my sword, I’m human :).
On a side note I’m getting ready to put together my Timeout Thursday, I know my first one. What I finally have something to post about … LOL :). HUGS
.-= Alexis AKA MOM´s last blog ..Weekend Wrap Wednesday ~ Christmas Day & Bloggy Friends Meet =-.
Wow! I can’t believe that. I work hard on what I put on my blog and I can’t even begin to imagine how I would feel if someone stole it. I’m sorry you are having to go through this.
.-= Mommy Bear´s last blog ..Catching Raindrops =-.
That’s awful. I do know how much time and effort is put into keeping up a blog and us non-bloggers sure appreciate all the good advice, deals and giveaways. I’m sorry this happened to you, hopefully she has learned her lesson.
Happy New Year to all
What the…? I can’t even imagine something doing that!
.-= MiMi´s last blog ..Some Christmas Favorites =-.
This is terrible! It will only make you stronger. You are truly an AWESOME person!
.-= Rondi´s last blog ..Free Child Safe Kit =-.
This is a community — our homes may be all over the world but we choose to come together in this forum and we must be respectful of each other’s work. I am sorry that this has happened to you. For me, my blog is very personal and I can’t imagine presenting another’s blog as my own. This is clearly different than a guest blogger or a properly linked reference to another blog. It’s more than blogger etiquette — it’s misrepresentation. I am glad that someone brough this to your attention. Hopefully, this will be the single incident and she will respect everyone’s work in the future.
Keep your chin up — authenticity always shines through. Go Theta Mom!
.-= Traci´s last blog ..Day 124 or My Announcement, Sort Of… =-.
That’s just plain wrong! Unintentional? Well I’m glad you confronted her – plagiarism should not be tolerated!!
.-= Flory´s last blog ..Year- End Cleaning… =-.
Blogging is becomming such a popularity contest but for people to copy word for word is just nuts. And way obvious. (though it probably happens more than we know!!)
I really wonder how often this is happening all over…It is so hard to track and stop with so much electronic media and such a huge market. I have had this happen with my article sand books too.
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..Thought for the Day…I Mean Year! =-.
That is just, like, WEIRD. Why anyone would want to do that, I don’t know. I. Just. Don’t. Get. It. How could she possible feel good about posting it, knowing it wasn’t original? And how on earth did she think that she wouldn’t get found out?
Good on you for posting this and for confronting her on it. I certainly wouldn’t have let it slide.
My first visit here. I plan to take another look around.
.-= Jodie at Mummy Mayhem´s last blog ..The Tale of the Lap Dancing Spider =-.
REALLY?? HOW IN THE WORLD did you stumble upon it??? And what type of post was it?? A story? Just wondering why anyone would feel compelled to do such a thing. This isn’t 5th grade in Mr. Trumans’ class.. * not that it was me who got busted for copying the back of the book jacket as a report in Mr. Truman’s 5th grade class 1985.
xoxo supah
.-= supah´s last blog .. =-.
Pretty shocking, right? I read her blog, it was as simple as that. Based on the feedback provided here from other bloggers, it probably goes on a lot more than we think…
.-= Theta Mom´s last blog ..Blogging With a Purpose =-.
Hi hun! Haven’t been here for a while! In fact, haven’t been keeping up my blog either with the holidays (hides LOL). They say imitation is a form of flattery….and who wouldn’t want a great blog like yours, but she took it to a very WRONG level! I’m glad you did finally receive an apology from her, and sounds like you handled it very well. HUGS to you in the New Year!!
That blows that someone would steal joor stuff.
Back in the day (like… 2000-2001) when I started blogging, if someone stole something you put up, you’d be globally humiliated for it. Every friend and their friends and their mothers would visit your blog and destroy you in your comments then they’d post about it on every BBS known to man and let more people know.
I never had to go through that but I know a couple people who did (not only for stealing but for like… some of their posts in general). Hope you never have to go through that again.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Do You Believe In Ghosts? =-.
Heather,
First sorry it’s been so long. Between the holidays and Em’s birthday I have been swamped and haven’t been able to “get around” as much as I like.
Second, I can’t believe this. I am floored that someone stole one of your posts. Which post was it? You are being very nice not calling her out, but that just shows you’re above that. I’ve had people repost portions of my posts and my pictures which were part of giveaway posts and that ticked me off – but never an ENTIRE post. Glad it got resolved. Are you going to the Martha Stewart blogging show?
Sorry for the novella
CRAZY. It often feels like the internet is huge, but the blogging community is so small that it is really difficult for this to go unnoticed. I hope that a lesson is learned and you handled this very nicely!
oh! I just saw your super cool twitter plug-in…please indulge me in my second comment for this post! ha.
.-= Texasholly´s last blog ..Priorities =-.
That is freaking cool…OK, I will stop. right. now.
.-= Texasholly´s last blog ..Priorities =-.