A few days ago, I found one of my articles used word-for-word on another website without permission and attribution to me as the person who researched, translated and wrote it. This is not the first time I’ve been plagiarized, and I know it won’t be the last; but it’s the first time I’ve plagiarized by a Consulate General of Greece.
That’s right — a diplomatic mission from Greece, representing Greece abroad.
Should they deny it, I can prove it belongs to me, I have screen captures with their URL and told a few people to verify what I’m stating as the truth if I’m ever accused of lying. I cannot say what country it is, but thankfully it is not my own. I also cannot say I am surprised, but I am disappointed and sickened.
What would you do?
a) Write them a professional letter and ask them to give me credit or remove it, followed by a letter from a lawyer if they don’t.
b) Write them a nasty letter and demand they remove it.
c) Name and shame them and cc: a popular newspaper in their city and country.
d) A combination of the above.
e) Ignore it.
As I lean heavily toward option ‘A,’ I’m reminded of a Slate magazine article, “Eight reasons plagiarism sucks.”