Plagiarism · 12:34am May 30th, 2012
A Fanfiction.net user by the name of wanderingpoetoftruth has plagiarized my story, "Ditzy Doo's Dismally Derpy Day".
I have already submitted a formal copyright notice, but I need to vent for a moment.
. . .
What the HELL, man?!
Did you really not think this wouldn't be noticed? That you'd actually get away with it? Christ, I was alerted by a PM from a fan, even before my Google alert picked it up.
And props to the FF.net staff, by the way. I got a reply from them already, and they're on it. So good on them.
God damn if this didn't just kill my mood for the day, though.
Geeze, I'm sorry. That really blows. Your stories are the standard by which every Brony author sets their Ditzy/Derpy and Dinky stories by. No pretender is gonna be able to topple the king.
Mad props bro, much love.
That sucks man, hope everything works out.
What the hell? Copying someone else's story and claiming it as you own is beyond low. They didn't even try to make it look like it was original, they just copied and pasted it.
Why? Why would anyone plagiarize one of the best known works in the fandom? I don't know how it's possible to be that stupid...
I know that imitation is the highest form of flattery, but that is serious bullshit! We're behind you 120%!
Best case scenario it was just an idiot fan trying to upload it there without remembering to credit you for it, unlikely as that may be. It could have been a lot worse though, I remember a few years back Ghosty was up in a (perfectly understandable) outrage because he got an email from some guy claiming that he had bought the rights to his (Ghosty's) original story and threatening legal action if he didn't take it down, it never came to anything but it would still have blown to high heaven. There's also plenty of other cases where artists and the like have had their works used without their permission on paysites and other bullshit like that.
So yes, it sucks that someone (probably) tried to plagiarise you, and you have every right to be furious about it - I would be too - but just remember you have your fans to support you and it could have been worse, so try not to let it get to you too bad!
What do you think Ditzy?
denver.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw4988-1336955394581524.jpg
That pic might just make the whole thing worth it.
And... It still boggles me to see comments like Trinary's and Wind Whistler is Love's. I have a difficult time grasping the concept that I'm such a Big Deal.
But seriously, folks, thank you.
Lol.
It'll be cool, dude. I'd take it as a compliment. Besides, whoever's supposed to handle this will probably handle it.
142607
Yeah, no.
I will not take it as a compliment. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you don't know what it feels like to have your creative efforts stolen like this.
And "whoever's supposed to handle this" HAS handled it, because I let them know about it and provided evidence backing up my claim. It's not something that just magically sorts itself out if you just sit back and wait. It requires action.
143650
Well I've never had art stolen, but I've had research papers stolen.
And alright, I didn't mean to sound stupid about the whole thing. I meant they'd handle in the sense that you had notified them, not that these things just sort themselves out.
143670
Fair enough, I'll chalk that up to a miscommunication.
When your paper was stolen, did it piss you off? If so, think of that feeling, and then make it personal. There's a metaphor I heard once about how a true writer cuts himself and bleeds all over the page; as overwrought as it sounds, it vividly conveys a fairly relevant point. I poured my heart and soul into that story. Some of Ditzy's frustrations were taken from my own life, but even when that's not the case, I'm investing a little piece of myself in every word I write.
To have that stolen... I don't remember that last time I was that angry. I couldn't even find pleasure in the positive review that story had already gotten. What should've been a heartwarming ego boost turned to ashes in my mouth.
144541
Didn't piss me off, and was handled swiftly. After all, justice is swift. As was it here. Your thief was banned, and mine was expelled after a short review from a board of old people.
However, using instances from your own life, I can imagine taking personal offense to having your work stolen. On top of that, I know it's not the same on the internet, as there's nothing from stopping that person from coming back and doing it again. So you have my condolences for this tormenting you so. I guess there is no "normal" or "right" way to take something like this.
Man. Our characters get so personal to us writers, I can't imagine what it felt like to see someone abduct your imaginary world. I have no idea what I'd do if someone claim-jumped my imagination.
They'd definately get a pony named after them killed on-screen in the next Doctor Whooves story....