What is plagiarism versus copyright infringement?

Plagiarism and copyright infringement are both forms of academic dishonesty and intellectual property violations, but there are key differences between the two.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or words without giving proper credit. This includes copying and pasting text from a source without citation, paraphrasing someone else's ideas without attribution, or presenting someone else's work as your own.

Avoiding plagiarism involves properly citing sources, quoting or paraphrasing with attribution, and acknowledging the original creator of the work. Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic and professional settings, with consequences ranging from failing grades to legal action.

Copyright Infringement

Copyright infringement, on the other hand, is the unauthorized use of copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder. This can include reproducing, distributing, or performing copyrighted work without authorization.

To avoid copyright infringement, it's important to respect intellectual property rights by obtaining proper permissions, licenses, or using works that are in the public domain. Copyright infringement can lead to legal action, fines, and damages for the infringing party.

Protecting Your Work

To protect your creative ownership and intellectual property rights, it's essential to understand the difference between plagiarism and copyright infringement. By citing sources properly, obtaining permissions, and following copyright laws, you can avoid both practices and safeguard your work.