Plagiarism is wrong. Always.

I am so convinced of that truth that's it's difficult for me to discuss--the sky is blue (or grey); water is wet; plagiarism is wrong. There's nothing to add or debate.

Your efforts in this instance, though, and the positive responses from the community are another matter. It's a paradox, but for communities to work, it's not enough for members to be kind to each other. They also need to hold each other accountable--whether it's don't post Bangel on a Spuffy site, or don't steal someone else's work.

This time, the job fell to you. I can't imagine that it was a pleasant experience (mentally or emotionally), but you put your time and effort into making the situation right. You really helped make this a better place for all of us.

damn!
We should also check the dates of when those fics were posted, cause u don't really know which one was actually writen first. I'm not taking anyone's side in this; i personally really, really hate plagiarists, i think it's a lack of respect towards the real author. But there has to be evidence showing that Yung Yin (whatever, sorry lol) wrote that fic first.
This sucks, i can't understand why ppl do this kind of things.

Author's Response: Well, in suzyluvsspike's case, the original fic was started and last updated in 2003, so obviously, her fic came much later after the original was started. Plus, she admittedly was a member on the site where the original is posted and knows of that fandom, so all bets are off that she hadn't seen it before. On top of this, though, her closing down her e-mail account, LJ, and TSR username is a good sign... and she tried to post again under another username two days later, which we found out about after she had lied to us mods and we called her on it :(

She even copied the author's note at the end of the original story's first chapter. That's really sad.

i totally doubt the second story. It's well written and doesn't sound like a Buffy plot to me - too many discrepencies from canon, added to the pliagirized story recently, and I can't just take her word for the new one now.

Allison,

You did a great job! Thanks for catching this!!!

Last night I read the summary and thought it was a bit weird to have Buffy as a computer scientist (my field) and thought the author was stretching. I read the reviews, but I didn't put two and two together. Now I know.

You ROCK!

I just wanted to say that you have nothing to apologize for ….

I personally think that the 1000 word limit worked in your favor …

You gave absolute, irrefutable, and damning proof that left absolutely no questions on guilt or innocence.

Your evidence was presented very thoroughly and clearly, I applaud your efforts.

You handled the unfortunate situation very well. Thank you for a job well done.

…..Oh and one more thing PLAGIARISTS SUCK ! :))

Okay, first of all, pliagirism sucks.

Second, I think it's hysterical that the 1000 word rule made you post so much of each story. Nothing wrong with the rule, and I appreciate being able to see the side by side versions so clearly, but it still made me laugh.

Third, Purple Eyes!!?? Huh.

Thanks for the heads up.

Oh dear.
This just makes me sad.
I'm so sorry to see this happen yet again.
spufette