At some point in time, every web writer will be a victim of content theft, plagiarism, or copyright infringement on the web. In fact, online plagiarism and content theft is more commonplace than most writers would like to believe and it costs web writers an untold number of page views. And when page views are at stake, money is at stake for the professional web writer.
But how can a writer find out if their work has been plagiarized online? Is there a way to tell if a web writer's published content on the web has been stolen or published without permission?
The answers to these questions is "yes." Fortunately, writers on the web can take a few simple steps to monitor for content theft and to check for plagiarism on the web for free.
Set Up Google Alerts to Monitor for Content Theft on the Web
Google Alerts are a free, easy way for web writers to monitor writing that's published online.
Google Alerts work like this: the writer selects a phrase or word and a Google Alert is set up for this particular word or phrase. Whenever the term appears on the web in a new blog entry, in a video, on a website or any other corner of the web, the writer will receive an email or notice via RSS feed containing a link to the website, blog or other web page where the Google Alert term appears.
How can a writer use Google Alerts to their advantage? Most web writers can set up a Google Alert for their name, as many people who plagiarize a writer's work or steal content outright will include the writer's byline.
Writers can also set up a Google Alert for a unique phrase contained in an article, blog entry or other written web content. If the writer's work is posted on another website or blog without permission, and the plagiarized content includes the key phrase, this will trigger a Google Alert and the writer will receive an e-mail containing a link to the website or blog.
Using Free Plagiarism Detection Software and Plagiarism Monitoring Websites
There are an array of plagiarism monitoring software and plagiarism detection websites that offer free or low-cost services to writers. The majority of content theft situations will be picked up with simple Google Alerts, which will be triggered even if the plagiarized content is re-written somewhat. But there are a few instances where only part of a writer's article, blog entry or other content may be used without authorization, and if the Google Alert was set up for a phrase contained in the omitted portion of the content, then it could slip through the cracks.
Plagiarism monitoring software and plagiarism detection websites will detect if any part of a document, article or blog entry has been reproduced on the web, even if the content has been altered slightly.
What Should You Do If Your Work is Plagiarized or Your Content Has Been Stolen?
Often, a situation involving plagiarism or content theft on the web can be resolved with a non-threatening e-mail.
It's important to remember that not every case of plagiarism or content theft is malicious or intentional; some bloggers or website creators are simply ignorant and poorly educated when it comes to what constitutes plagiarism or copyright infringement. Some bloggers and website creators mistakenly believe that it's okay to copy and paste another writer's copyrighted work into their blog or webpage, providing the original writer is credited. But this is simply not the case; written permission is required from the copyright holder if more than 50 words is reproduced on a blog or web page.
If the case of content theft or copyright infringement on the web is not resolved with an e-mail, the next step involves sending a cease and desist letter. When that does not bring results, the next step involves filing a DMCA complaint against the online content thief and/or contacting the website hosting company. Attorneys can also assist a victim of copyright infringement or plagiarism on the web, as can many parent websites. If a writer's work is published on a website like Suite101 or other similar sites, support and guidance is typically provided to contracted web writers. Check out How to Handle Plagiarism and Content Theft on the Web to learn more about what writers can do if their work is plagiarized or if copyright infringement occurs.
Check out the Resources for Writers Page to learn more on topics like writing for the web and how to make money writing for the web.
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
Join the Conversation