Plagiarism-Please read, EXTREMELY important

[Lulu]

All members must read this.

Over the past month or so we've seen a couple of Hunger Games sites that have taken a few little things that were rightful property of this site; skins, adds, and the like. Well, we politely asked them to take them down, even though they should have not done it in the first place. And they did.

But yesterday out advertiser Sapphira Lily found a website that had basically taken EVERYTHING from here. I'm not going to give the URL yet, because however much I would love it, I don't want them being harrassed by loyal members of this site. Let's just say they plagiarized our description/add (the first thing you see in the info box on the top of the home page) our code word from the rules, our actual RULES, our district descriptions (taken from the boards) and various other things. It's basically this site on a different web host. The only thing they did not take was the skin.

And then they call themselves the brains behind the whole site.

That's all the information I'm giving on this topic, because the staff is handling it to the best of our ability. The real reason for this thread is to make sure every single one of you know that plagiarism is WRONG. If you like anything on the site, or on any site, you must ask permission before you use it. I worked so hard, you have no idea how hard I worked to make this site. And my staff also work their butts off to make this site a great place for everyone. And it really crushed me to see all of it taken from us like it was public domain. Because it was not just up for grabs.

If anyone sees anything like this ever again, where anything that is copyright from this site is taken, report it to us. We may have given out permission for it to be used, in which case we'll thank you for reporting it anyway, because it was definitely the right thing to do. But in most cases, after what's happened here, permission will have not been given.

All I ask is that you guys keep an eye out, because it's up to all of us to keep this site the great place it's becoming.

Thanks so much, you have no idea how much it means to me to have so many trustworthy members here on THG:RPG.

--Lulu/Rue and the Staff

And members, if you can post a reply that confirms that you understand what I'm saying, that'd be great. This thread is not locked, and will be open for you to reply.

[WT]

I'm sure you know I understand, hon.

Just to add to that: guys, plaigarism is not cool. It's wrong, it's petty, it's mean, and if that's not enough for you, it's illegal. To take something that belongs to someone else is rude in any event, but to take someone's ideas, their work, and claim it as your own is the height of rudeness. And on top of that it's disrespectful- and stupid. I mean, really- if you're not creative enough to come up with your own work, then you have no business trying to write/draw/create something to begin with.

Don't do it. 'Cause seriously. It's not cool.

[Gempol]

Oh, I understand completely Lulu and Wolfy. I would never plagiarize because it make me feel horrible inside. Yah.

[Lulu]

We have just found out who did this insane plagiarism. It was a member of our site. Our OWN site. I find that DISGUSTING.

And if your reading this now, it most likely was not you. Because the member who did this has not been active for a while. So don't worry, I still love all of you.

[Gempol]

THAT'S. JUST. HORRIBLE.

See, plagiarizing doesn't make you look cool! It makes you become hated by other people! Look at how we're fuming over this!

[amalia]

Ouch! Plagiarizing sucks.

[gm bourgeois decadence [aya]]

Dude, Plagiarism... it's just... no. How can you take pride in something that isn't your work? There are three reasons why I work hard (if I do... ever...):
1) I enjoy it.
2) It gives me something to do
3) It's something I can be proud of later.

I mean, yeah, everyone copies math homework once and awhile (or... y'know... every day in second period ^^; and maybe that's similar... but I've always had permission. Always. (if she didn't want me to copy... she didn't have to give me her paper...)

Welll, ya. I meant for this to be meaningful. But the bottom line is this: Do. NOT. Steal. Stuff. EVER!

[riddled;;]

Plagiarizing is wrong! Shouldn't they know that already?!? Well yeah, that was NOT COOL, absolutely wrong and ILLEGAL (as Wolf Tears has pointed out).
Well, hopefully they'll stop copying from this site. >

[Gamewizard546]

I understand, But how did you find out about the othersite I had a hard enough time finding this on, let alone a clone. Did the copy our threads and storys too? And did you remove/ban them from here?

[Cinna the Penguin]

I can't say anything Lulu, Wolfea, and Aya didn't already, but I'll say it again, just to make sure you got it. DON'T PLAGURIZE. EVER. It's just terrible that these people couldn't do there own work.

We have worked hard on this site. Every member, not just staff. You should be proud of yourself. You're the ones who keep this site going everyday. It's your RPing abilities that make this site worth coming to everyday.

So please, just don't do it. Ever. It's not worth it. I know I have friends here I enjoy talking to on a daily basis. I would assume all of you do too. But if you plagurize this site, all that goes away for you. It's gone. Forever.

Now, with that said, I don't think anybody here would plagurize, especially after this. I hope I'm right.

[Deleted]

Saphy likes Google. Google loves Saphy back. We're gonna get married someday. Somewhat serious.

They just copied the main stuff like the description (mine, btw ), rules, districts, etc. They haven't been banned or removed.

[rae]

You know saph, you should let us have a go at the site... :]
(i know we aren't allowed to.. but it would be fun!)

I feel the same as all of you, because if that ever happened to me, id want to cause harm to the person whose done it. Sorry Rue and staff...

[WT]

I talked to the co-admin of the site, and she's locked it. She seemed pretty unamused with the whole thing, and apologized for what the plagiarizer had done.

You guys' support means a lot, really. Thank you. ^^ (And thank you for not supporting plagiarism, either. 'Cause... that wouldn't be cool. O.O)

[Gamewizard546]

That's good, does locked mean that people can't use it?

[amalia]

How did you find out who did it?