I have some articles, I will rewrite them so that they are passed by copyscape. Will there be any copyright issues on the articles which I will rewrite? Will google ban my site for duplicate content although I have rewritten? Thanks in advance to all those who reply in this thread.
You should better get worried about copyright infringement and not about what Google thinks of your content.
I'm not certain from your post whether you're the original author of the articles that you're talking about or not. Assuming that you are not the original author, technically, you can use another article as inspiration for an article of your own on the same topic, but you should not use the same wording or you've violated copyright on that article. Let me know if you have other questions. Deena __________________________________________________________ Any opinions are offered without knowledge of the specific law of your jurisdiction and with only the limited information provided in your post. No advice given here should be reasonably relied upon by you or any third party without consulting an attorney who is aware of all of the facts and law surrounding your situation. Any advice given here is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship in any way.
Sorry for changing the subject slightly but it is related to the topic, I've wrote some articles for someone who then did a chargeback and got their money back - after I sent the articles. What can I do if they use them anyway? I've told them that I have the rights to them as they haven't paid and that it's illegal to use them on that basis. Also is copyscape the best way of finding out if they used them or not?
@designerguru: I have been down a scary road before with copyright. Whatever you do, make whatever you are rewriting COMPLETELY in your own words! The school rule for plaigarism is usign "two or more consecutive words" and using it within your own writing. Also, whatever wiritng/work you are basing your own writing/work off of, make sure you cite the source, author, give credit... it's always a good back up if you feel that your writing is too closely simialr. Another factor is if you are purposing your writing for 'educational/research' purposes... cause if that is so then you will be ok, just make sure you make no profit or benefit if you get into copyright trouble. Google is iffy when it comes to writing closely similar articles... and I agree with Michelle; just don't even flirt with copyrighting. @Bon: I would definitely keep an eye out if they use your work/articles... but from my own personal experience you are helpless if you didn't sign an agreement/contract of some sort, UNLESS if you have excellent proof that they are using your work for profit and you can prove the work is yours. Also, Copyscape is reliable and probably the best way to find if they are using your work. There are other great 'copy-cathcing' programs out there, but you should be good using copyscape. I am not a lawyer or professional, by all means, however I have experienced both situations... so just PM me if you need more help.
plagiarism isn't illegal. it's not even a legal term. as for 2 words... try and write a 3 word 'article' where 2 of the words dont show up in google.
Who would want a 3 word article anyway, and just because the words show up in Google it doesn't mean it's been copied word for word. If I was writing an article I wouldn't expect Google to bring back any sentences back word for word or it's not unique is it.
You're right, plagarism isn't a legal term, but copyright infringement is. If a work is plagarized, it infringes copyright, so it's kind of a semantical problem rather than a real one...
Yes, if you don't have permission to rewrite the articles. Maybe, if the copyright owner finds out you've infringed on their copyright and reports you to Google. Report them to their host. Most hosts do not allow sites to use stolen content. It's in their TOS. If they have advertisers, e.g. Adsense, you can also report to them and have advertisers pull their ads. It's one way. You can also Google random phrases and sentences from the articles and see if they show up.
If you didn't notice, I said '2 or more consecutive words'. As well, arguments can be made with some situations as stating 'common knowledge' statements... and that just ends up a mess. Trust me I'm not trying to make it seem like I'm hard-core at writing. I hate trying to figure out if my writing/work is not copying anything, and always making sure that my writing is not plagiarizing anything. As well, I really am tired of hearing plagiarism arguments. I get tired of this discussion cause it always ends up with someone saying 'You know, Jefferson plagiarized the Declaration.' These situations are never fun, but it comes down to if you worked hard for everything you did, and someone copied it/stole it you would be mad and want to take action.
I agree with latoya. If you don't have permission to rewrite the articles then it could be classed as copyright infringement.