The stolen stories have been taken down! Woo hoo! Unfortunately, it does appear they let him stay on the site and repost some of the material, as the account was down to 2 works, then none, and is now up to 9. *shakes head* A reader told me the site sent her an email saying the member had been removed from the site, but I don't see that happening.
I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who helped speak up over this, or just sent me a note of commiseration. Plagiarism is not flattery, it just sucks ass, but I'm always grateful when we find and remove it from the MM community!
~ Cia
So more news, cause this asshole pissed off the WRONG author!!
I need help to get a plagiarist's stolen content off the web! This "author" called LostBoyz on AO3 stole one of my stories and edited it to make it seem like his own by changing some of the details, the characters, and the dialogue... while still using MY story. AO3 removed the story content, but not the listing from their profile, and left access to the rest of the stories.
I've just proven the jerk also stole from several other authors:
Between the Bars from Literotica, written by Carsonshepherd and posted it as "Burned" on AO3.
The Magic In Your Touch, written by WavyScribe/Sara Bell and posted as "The County Sheriff" on AO3.
Shakespeare's Lover written by Ryan Field and posted as "Follow That Dream" on AO3.
Opposites Attract written by Pelaam and posted as "New Breed" on AO3.
I've reported the stories and asked how much more proof they need to take this creep's entire listing down. Join me in blasting the site to get them down, even the works not proven stolen because they don't deserve to be recognized as an author in any form!
I've just proven the jerk also stole from several other authors:
Between the Bars from Literotica, written by Carsonshepherd and posted it as "Burned" on AO3.
The Magic In Your Touch, written by WavyScribe/Sara Bell and posted as "The County Sheriff" on AO3.
Shakespeare's Lover written by Ryan Field and posted as "Follow That Dream" on AO3.
Opposites Attract written by Pelaam and posted as "New Breed" on AO3.
I've reported the stories and asked how much more proof they need to take this creep's entire listing down. Join me in blasting the site to get them down, even the works not proven stolen because they don't deserve to be recognized as an author in any form!
http://archiveofourown.org/users/LostBoyz
You should inform the other authors, and get them to contact AO3, as well. It may have more of an impact that way.
ReplyDeleteOn each story I commented at the bottom that it was a stolen work. Then I reported it to AO3 with links to the pre-dated original versions from the copyrighted authors. Then I sent feedback/commented/emailed the authors directly or via a friend who had one author's personal email where I did not. I also posted a link to this post via Twitter, and posted the same information directly onto Facebook.
DeleteTrust me, I dotted every t and crossed every i. ;) Unfortunately, as the head of all the writing areas of Gay Authors, I've come across plagiarism before and had to act on the site or on behalf of an author/authors on the site, plus I've been nailed by plagiarists 3 times. What I've found is that the reader network is vast, and fans of mine are fans of a lot of other authors. By blasting this information on all different areas on the web, I'm spreading the news as far and wide as I'm capable.
I'm extremely sorry because I liked "The Sub Whisperer" Not realizing it was stolen work. My apologies to you, as an Author I HATE when people steal my stuff.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely NOT your fault! This thief was actually pretty sneaky by changing most of the distinctive phrasing to avoid detection, along with the character names and paranormal element. If anything, I view the number of likes or whatever that site gives out and comments to be positive for ME, not the little creep stealing from other people because all the popular work they posted was stolen. Their crap was awful, so I'm not surprised they had to resort to theft to have anything of quality to get positive reviews. I found a grand total of 6 other authors beyond me who were stolen from, so they weren't shy taking credit for the hard work of others.
DeleteMan, that's an awful lot of work. Guy would've saved himself some trouble by just writing his own shit. >.< I'm glad you're trying to do something about it, I will definitely contact AO3 as well. I've read- and love!- all of the authors he's stolen from! That's a damn shame.
DeleteThanks, Angie, though at this point they have done the best they're apparently going to do. They did remove the stolen stories, but it appears they've let some of the people using that account put more stories back. Trust me when I say I'll be keeping an eye on that. :(
DeleteWhat a horrible thief! I'm so glad that someone noticed the plagiarism.
ReplyDeleteMe too Jbst!
DeleteSneaky - these are all authors work that ive read and liked. What the point in stealing other peoples work and getting credit for it - they must know that someone like yourself will recognise the writing style, story etc
ReplyDeleteYet all too many authors try it! Good thing our community is so connected. :)
DeleteI got an email after complaining about them on AO3 that said they are banning them from the site. I'm sure you heard this already but just in case :)
ReplyDeleteI know they took the stories down, but now there are 9 more stories back on that site. Supposedly this is a collection of authors using the account, but I still think it should've been closed completely. :(
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