Is it plagiarism or not?

heads up: i do not know how to spell the word plagarism so it will be misspelled throughout this blogpost. i only autocorrected in the title but then was too lazy to autocorrect the rest. smh

Hey guys!! 

My 5th anniversary on AFF is coming up (lmao if only 13-year-old rubi knew she'd be on this site in college), and I've been reflecting on my experiences on this site. Something that's been interesting to think about is my stance on plagarism. 

Sometimes, people message me and tell me that my work has been plagarized. I've stopped checking the works in question. Why?

Well, here's how it would go. I'd open the fic (or even another random fic). I'd read the summary. With growing anger, I'd skim through a few chapters of the story.

They weren't copied from my fics word-for-word. The plot points weren't identical. The character types weren't the exact same.  

But they were SO similar. It was so clear that so many themes in those fics had heavily borrowed from one of my fics (it was usually "The Classified Accounts of Ami Hwang", my most popular fic). i'm not talking about "oh this fic is gang!au so clearly theyre ripping off of me1!!!11!" I'm talking about fics that used specific things from my stories. 

I'd feel soooooo furious and wronged. But I couldn't report them for plagarism, because it wasn't technically plagarized from my works. I'd click on "report for plagarism" and just have no clue what to say. A bunch of these authors were subscribed to me, and some would comment on my fics. And then they'd turn around and publish fics that were so similar to mine. I didn't know how to react. I didn't want to start and some of these people were nice, and I'd just feel so bad thinking about it. But at the same time i'd feel so angry. 

I don't know if it's because I've stopped writing as much/I'm not on AFF as much, but as time passed.... I had to let go of that anger. I love writing, so i'll keep writing. Why should I stop writing because of the fics that have plagarized/been ""inspired"" by my works?

If your works have been plagarized, it ing dude, I know. But please don't stop writing!! You shouldn't have to give up one of your passions because some unoriginal ripped off your stuff. Even if you're not ready to post your stuff online again right away, just keep writing. 

ANYWAY final question: 

Where is the line between "inspiration" and plagarism drawn?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments!! Hope y'all have been doing well. Also- please do not mention specific fics or anything in the comments. This post wasn't made to attack or accuse people. I will delete your comment if you mention specifics!!

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Violinqueen #1
I’d say that even if the work isn’t copied off word for word, it’s still plagiarism if they completely copy the idea and events that happen in the story. I believe inspiration would only limit itself to copying a character’s name, a FEW events that aren’t major yet the same as yours (but not copied word for word... but like an idea that is minor and not the main plot). Otherwise, they should definitely cite you or give you credit somewhere in their title page. If you come across a fanfic that’s eerily similar to your own, I’d say to straightup ask them about it and request for them to mention you and your story. I dont think matters if they are nice people or not. What matters is that your work doesn’t get the respect that it does. I wouldn’t say curse at them and by reading your blogs I know you’re the type not to, but I think you should speak up. You deserve the praise and recognition for being an amazing writer!
kpopluver3 #2
That I've known a lot of people been getting paid lately and it cause some of my favorite fanfics it really good fanfics that I just got into to be deleted because of the plagiarism issue. Like truthfully if they are INSPIRED I feel like they should credit people or at least let the author know. Truthfully I get so angry at plagiarizing because they are the reason why so many talented writers just stop worrying or delete their story because of their frustration. Anyway I think it helps if whoever is been plagiarize call out those who are plagiarism so that readers can report them and let them know and understand that it's wrong to do so
Labyrinth- #3
Well maybe give more specific examples?
Cuz it’s really hard to tell inspiration apart from plagiarism. But when u think about it, you’ve probably taken photos inspired by others, for example, uhm, the iconic candid “flipping my hair” photo, or the “lookin at each other laughing” photo, or even the “sipping from my Starbucks” photo. Like they are all inspired by others, everyone does it, but u can’t really say that they all plagiarized whoever thought of those poses first.
So I think since you can’t really do anything about it, you will just have to let it go, not saying that u shouldn’t be angry, in fact, you have every right to be angry and I understand why ur mad. But there’s really nothing anyone can do tbh. Look at the bright side. U are their inspiration, u are the one people want to follow. That should make u feel at least proud of yourself 🤗🤗
missdauxian #4
There are times that other writers get inspiration from former fanfics, making them want to write their inspired from the said story. From what you've mentioned, there are cases like that going on already, but it is with the consent of the prior writer since the idea solely was taken from them (intellectual rights). There just also some that happens to be the same as them but not clearly the same.
For plagiarism, it is plagiarism if everything has been copied. Usually it is word by word, that is why we need to paraphrase and credit where it came from. In writing fanfic, there is the disclaimer.

Themes are usually similar that is why there are cliches going around, making things too much of the obvious. If you look at tv shows, series, movies and books, most of them have the same plot making things not exciting but it can be exciting if the story was convey awesomely.

I suggest you talk to the author kindly for this one. Telling him/her that there were prompts given by other people to you that your story and his/her are the same. Double check before taking necessary actions. At least you could clear things from the writer.
N_Faye_O #5
When due credit is given. Even if it is 'influenced' and not 'plagiarized', if credit is given and the original writer inforned then I'm pretty sure readers will understand. I've read stories with themes inspired by TV shows and even though it is not completely plagiarized, it is so strikingly similar that readers will point it out. And I always say to the writers to also credit the TV show their stories were influenced by so as to not be mistaken as plagiarism
Aliceappleton #6
I know it but think of this, even big brands like gucci and louis vuitton got copied BIG TIME. And they still thrive. You don't need to worry because when you're that good, people will try to take you down but your loyal readers will always stay by your side. You do you, girl, keep up the good work
autumntears #7
Well I pity these people because they have no talent to think on their own but still try to get the praise. So, even if they were 'inspired' by your writing, they should have given you credit for it.

And yes , you should not stop writing because of some lowly imbecile.
starandheart #8
i'd say a specific AU or something being copied isn't plagiarism (unless that AU is just so unique), but when you start copying specific scenes/happenings (and not cliche stuff like guy slams girl into locker) then it starts to cross the line into plagiarism. It's disappointing that AFF doesn't tag those things as plagiarism, because from what you described, if they're copying specific things from your stories, i'd definitely consider that plagiarism. And you have every right to be pissed about that.
fs1919 #9
I think it's really hard to draw the line between "inspiration" and plagiarism, especially in fanfiction. But I feel like ideas are very much plagiarizable (is that a word lmao?) and i think if the feel of a scene seems too similar (especially if you're the author looking over it) then it's a problem??? i'm talking like structurally i guess? like if they use a scene but then they go off on a tangent and it morphs into it's own, that's different from taking a scene but changing the words/characters, but the scene still goes to similar place as your own fic, over and over again. i feel like this doesn't make sense lol but yea, plagiarism vs inspiration is complicated
bohubear #10
I think it's really hard to differentiate between plagiarism and inspiration as far as fanfiction is concerned, even harder to theorise them. The best course of action is to follow your gut instinct.

A good example I have are highschool stories. It's hard to be 'original' when an AU has already been exhausted or at the very least, has been somewhat theorised and has some type of subconscious rules to it.

Even fantasy fanfiction has a formula you often encounter.

Just trust your gut instinct.
bohubear #11
I don't know how many people remember this but there was a time when people on AFF used to borrow other's Original Characters and introduce them in their world. The main example is SujuDork's OC Alex that has been featured in many other stories along with the OCs of her friends.

Honestly, I lowkey miss those times and wish people would continue to do this cause it's really cute.
ilovekorea37 #12
I'm not sure 😅😅
tumbleweed #13
Personally, regardless of inspiration or mentioning being 'inspired' by a certain work, plagiarism includes changing up names as well as changing up the words but still having it in the exact placement to which someone would know that they were plagiarized. It doesn't matter if the words were different, the structure of the work being the same also counts as plagiarism for me. I don't know what else to say but that it really that some jerk decided to take your words and manipulate them so it seems like they wrote it on their own. It also irks me that these people have no apparent shame in doing so.
Mikinnou #14
I think it is inspiration when you make an event similar but not in the way that everything goes the same way, but, fo example because there is a sudden turn of events because of similar themes or motives. I think it is mostly about theme - lets say someone liked your Ami Hwang story and that person wanted to write a story with similar theme that is the main character is a badass and hates male protagonist (and everything is gang!au). That is inspiration because a person thought 'wow, thats a cool idea!'. Plagarism is when someone lietrally makes everything go the same way you did. I don't even mean like everything everything but there too many similar things for it to be a coincidence.
On a side note, I think it would be easier for people to see the difference between these two terms if they asked the authors about it. If you are inspired by a story, I think majority of authors would be grateful that you liked their work so much that you wanted to make something in similar themes. (and btw if you are inspired by something you should give credit to the original creator, srsly ppl, thats not difficult)
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