Plagiarism And Copyright Infringement

Academic Policy
Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement are two terms that mean different things yet are routinely mentioned as synonyms for each other. This is not the case. The underlying reasoning for people who choose to plagiarize and infringe on copyrights involve some of the same ethics and morals, but from a legal standpoint these terms mean different things. This paper will point out the similarities and differences between the two terms. It will first give some meaning and perspective behind each term then it will go into the details of what each term means. It will point out the types of plagiarism that routinely show in academia and what is covered under Copyright law protection. It will go on to compare and contrast the two concepts.
UMUC’s Policy 150.25 - Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism states what is expected of students to uphold academic integrity. It lists plagiarism as its top reason for a charge of academic dishonesty. It also describes the procedures for handling the charge of plagiarism. Plagiarism is serious offense on the academia level but does not have official law stature. On the other hand you have Copyright law in which penalties for infringement include civil and criminal penalties.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined by UMUC (2006) as “the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person’s idea or product as one’s own. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following: copying verbatim all of part of another’s written work; using phrases, charts, figures, illustration, or mathematical or scientific solutions without citing the source; paraphrasing ideas conclusions or research without citing the source in the text and in reference lists; or using all or part of a literary ...

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...ith a failing grade, possible suspension or expulsion, and a damaged reputation. A journalist may lose their job if caught plagiarizing another journalist’s work. In this case, suspension or loss of job can be the consequences. Whether a journalist or student is caught plagiarizing, the stigma attached can follow that person for the rest of their careers. Each may face a damaged reputation, which will make it harder to either find another reporting job or in the student’s case being accepted to another university. Copyright infringement is tried in a court of law with monetary damages being the punishment and possibly jail time for more egregious acts of copyright infringement. The U.S. Constitution authorizes copyright law and the Copyright Act of 1976 spells out the definitions and ramifications of using someone’s copyrighted work without their permission.