The line of difference between plagiarism and taking inspiration

[Nikhar]

I sometimes wonder how does one differentiate between 'plagiarizing' a work and 'taking inspiration' from it?

For example, supposedly I saw 'Scream' yesterday and I really like the idea of two murderers. Now, when I write my next story, I use the idea of the two murderers. So, how would you word this situation? 'plagiarizing' or 'taking inspiration'?

Also, what is the legal definition of 'plagiarism' and what according to you is plagiarism?

[Sebas. Melmoth]

You may take inspiration (everything's been done anyway); you may paraphrase; but if you quote--use someone else's words--you must give citation or credit, otherwise it's the unforgivable scholarly sin of plagiarism.

[L.M. The Third]

Bump.
I heard one opinion that as long as the second author in question is improving on the source, then it is not plagiarism. I find that unlikely though.

[wokeem]

You may take inspiration (everything's been done anyway); you may paraphrase; but if you quote--use someone else's words--you must give citation or credit, otherwise it's the unforgivable scholarly sin of plagiarism.

It's my understanding that even if you're simply paraphrasing, if you're bringing up one of their key concepts or ideas you still need to give them credit and cite your source. In any case, better to be safe than sorry. When in doubt, use a citation.

[L.M. The Third]

Copyright laws (once virtually non-existent) and plagiarism definitions have changed over the last century. So, yes, I was taught in school that paraphrasing something counted as plagiarism. However, that's still going depend on the degree of paraphrasing done, and what the author adds to the value of the original.

[Nikhar]

Ah...thanks everyone. :)

But doesa the following stuff come under plagiarism:-


For example, supposedly I saw 'Scream' yesterday and I really like the idea of two murderers. Now, when I write my next story, I use the idea of the two murderers. So, how would you word this situation? 'plagiarizing' or 'taking inspiration'?

[The Atheist]

Also, what is the legal definition of 'plagiarism' and what according to you is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is theft of a plot or text.

Textual plagiarism is easy to prove, but the problem arises with what I'd call "literary plagiarism" such as the case of Michael Baigent v Dan Brown.

It is unquestionable that The Da Vinci Code uses the identical premise as Holy Blood, Holy Grail regarding Jesus: surviving, marrying Mary Magdalene and having children.

Yet, that was not enough to constitute plagiarism, and quite rightly so, in my opinion; the idea that Jesus survived and had kids with a hooker is not that hard to come up with. It's for the same reason you cannot trademark everyday words or images.

Your idea of two murderers isn't plagiarism at all, it's been done many times.

Only if the central tenet of a book is the same would you have a problem.

[Nikhar]

Plagiarism is theft of a plot or text.

Textual plagiarism is easy to prove, but the problem arises with what I'd call "literary plagiarism" such as the case of Michael Baigent v Dan Brown.

It is unquestionable that The Da Vinci Code uses the identical premise as Holy Blood, Holy Grail regarding Jesus: surviving, marrying Mary Magdalene and having children.

Yet, that was not enough to constitute plagiarism, and quite rightly so, in my opinion; the idea that Jesus survived and had kids with a hooker is not that hard to come up with. It's for the same reason you cannot trademark everyday words or images.

Your idea of two murderers isn't plagiarism at all, it's been done many times.

Only if the central tenet of a book is the same would you have a problem.

Thank You Atheist for clearing up my doubts. :)