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So, Blogitstaff, are you all deciding Tamara99's case? Is that why my last question wasn't answered?

posted by Kay-Ren on September 3, 2004 at 12:13 PM | link to this | reply

Since you don't typically reinstate banned members

...and this isn't a typical, was that a yes, Tamara99 will be reinstated?

posted by Kay-Ren on September 2, 2004 at 2:27 PM | link to this | reply

Kay-Ren

Although we cannot go into detail regarding a specific case, members are typically not reinstated after a suspension.

Thank you.

Blogit Team
www.blogit.com

posted by BlogitStaff on September 2, 2004 at 2:17 PM | link to this | reply

So, what is being done about Tamara99's case? Is she going to remained banned or will Blogit Staff take the "highroad" and reinstate her?

posted by Kay-Ren on September 2, 2004 at 10:46 AM | link to this | reply

Yes

posted by BlogitStaff on September 2, 2004 at 10:39 AM | link to this | reply

So, does that mean you did get rid of him?

These responses almost seem computer generated.  The same montra gets repeated, but no real answers are given.  People want to know, did Blogit act accordingly here, and, once the proof was there, get rid of someone guilty of plagiarism.  It's a pretty simple question, really.  When it comes right down to it, we all enjoy Blogit very much, but we also don't want to feel like our interests aren't being adequately protected.  Surely that's a concept the members of the staff can understand, accept, and maybe even put to rest.  Writers don't appreciate a light-hearted approach to a copyright infringement, or knowing a plagiarist is remaining on the network, once he's been outed and the proof is made known.  I think the community at least deserves to know, did he leave or get kicked off of Blogit, or is he allowed to remain a member if he chooses?  Whether the victims of this crime press charges is another matter entirely, and not really a related issue.  The issue here is whether or not Blogit acted swiftly and effectively enough to protect its members, and will it do so in the future...

ltlmac70

posted by superflymom119 on September 1, 2004 at 11:22 PM | link to this | reply

Copyright infringement

We take copyright infringement seriously which is why we have a procedure in place to report this. 

When the procedure is followed, the issue is resolved quickly. Copyright owners are quick to notify us, and we are quick to take action.

Thank you.

Blogit Team
www.blogit.com: The online writing marketplace.

posted by BlogitStaff on September 1, 2004 at 10:14 PM | link to this | reply

and still this guy is blogging here freely???

Come on people, how many authors does he have to rip off before his plug is pulled???  Thanks to the research of T99, these writers are able to confront the thief who took their material as his own.  She should not be the sacrificial lamb, the guilty blogger should.  Maybe if a bigger example were made of these plagiarists when they are caught, fewer people would feel free to take the risk.  How much of a risk is someone taking, really, if the plagiarist is safe, but the whistle blower gets the boot???  Thanks for sharing this Hollee, I'm more convinced than ever, this matter needs to be handled...

ltlmac70

posted by superflymom119 on September 1, 2004 at 9:34 PM | link to this | reply

A copy of Ernest Partridge's e-mail to Eskin

Mr. Eskin,

Your "apology" is not accepted, since it contains another shameless lie.

You expect me to believe that you "accidentally" omitted my name when you posted (under another title) my "Suckers for Jesus."  That's plausible.  What is not plausible is that you make the identical "error" when you posted essays and claimed credit for essays by my partner, Bernard Weiner, and by Paul Loeb, John Cory, Plaid Adder, "Auntie Pinko," the compilers of "10 Conservative Idiots," and no doubt many others.

Worst still, you received payment from Blogit for these works by other unacknowledged authors.  By so doing, you have compounded your crime of plagiarism with the crime of fraud.

You will be very fortunate if all this does not result in enormous fines and a prison sentence.  I will not press charges against you, but do not assume that others will not.

Your next move is compellingly obvious: you must remit the payments that you received from Blogit to the persons that you plagiarized.  Most of this (perhaps $30) should go to Democratic Underground, from which you seem to have stolen most of your material.  You might consider sending the remaining $11 to The Crisis Papers, which is edited by Dr. Weiner and myself.

The Addresses:

Democratic Underground, LLC
P.O. Box 53350
Washington, DC 20009

The Crisis Papers
322 Cortland Ave. #136
San Francisco, CA. 94110


Ernest Partridge, Co-Editor
The Crisis Papers




At 08:41 AM 8/30/2004, you wrote:


-----Original Message-----
From: Eskin, David
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 11:41 AM
To: 'Blogit Customer Service (5)'
Subject: RE: Other Questions & Comments

I am sorry about the infrigement..I did mean to but you as the ather and did it so fast I did not check to make sure it was done correctly. But I WILL make a public apology on Blogit today. I have taken off that Blog since I do not feel after making a mistake like that I should continue to use that site (or any others honestly).

-----Original Message-----
From: Blogit Customer Service (5) [mailto:cust.service05@blogit.com]
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 11:34 AM
To: david.eskin@parexel.com
Subject: Fw: Other Questions & Comments

Hello,

As a courtesy, we are forwarding this message to you because of its claim of
copyright infringement.

Sincerely,

Robert
Blogit Policy Team
http://www.blogit.com/

----- Original Message -----
From: <gadfly@igc.org>
To: <receive-form-email@blogit.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 1:23 PM
Subject: Other Questions & Comments

> Dear Mr. Eskin,
>
> As you are fully aware, I am the author of "Suckers for Jesus" which you
posted under your name in Blogit under the title "The Repubicans [sic] are
Using the Christian Right."
>
> I am filing a notice of copyright infringement to Blogit.
>
> I therefore demand that you immediately post on Blogit a statement that I
am the author of the article that you have claimed as your own, and that
said statement include a public apology to me and to the readers of Blogit.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Ernest Partridge

posted by Hollee on September 1, 2004 at 6:10 PM | link to this | reply

Response

posted by BlogitStaff on September 1, 2004 at 2:16 PM | link to this | reply

If she goes, the plagiarist goes, that's how it should be...

T99, after-all, hasn't committed a crime, while the other has.  I'm VERY concerned with this rash action on Blogit's part, especially since she was acting in everyone's best interest, including Blogit's.  She gets treated like a trouble-maker, and is banned for standing up for what IS right.  The plagiarist gives an apology and gets off scott free.  I read the insinuations that this isn't a once-only type incident, but, on the other hand, that's all your word against hers.  Everything that she said was textual and posed no real threat, besides I still don't see the massive disrespect you've claimed as the reason for this banning.  Her comments were laced with anger, yes, but she didn't attack anyone on a personal level.  If showing frustration at what looks like Blogit's ignoring of a serious situation gets a person "in trouble" then I'd have to say Blogit is in for a rough ride in the future.  It's going to be hard to continue on the successful path Blogit is on, if they garner a reputation for being a home to plagiarists and internet garbage.  Damage control doesn't seem to be high on the Blogit priority list, while saving face does.  How long before the reports on Blogit's problems surface in the ever increasing news attention being paid to blogging?

We can all only hope that tensions calm before we all pay a price...

That's my opinion, anyway, hopefully I'll still be around tomorrow...

posted by superflymom119 on September 1, 2004 at 11:28 AM | link to this | reply

My question to the Blogit staff

is Tamara99 suspended for a period of time, (you use the words suspended) or is she banned for good? In my opinion maybe a suspension is warranted based on your explanation but I feel outright banning is going to far. I am the one who discovered this jughead plagiarizer but I think also that maybe you ask to much of the Blogit members by having us report these cheaters when after all he is cheating by cutting and pasting on YOUR site and by doing this he does give Blogit a bad name. It is possible that because of what occured this time others may not want to get involved, and which because of this could lead to maybe larger problems for Blogit.

Thanks for listening.

posted by scoop on August 31, 2004 at 3:14 PM | link to this | reply

Brian

Thanks for clarifying that for me - one can't help there might have been a little hint of a threat there with the comment about constantly berating blogit staff but we'll let that one lie, eh?

However, I've had several conversations via IM with Tamara99 today and the thing that has apparently shocked her more than anything is that she received absolutely no warning from Blogit that her account was at risk of suspension if she continued to say anything.

Perhaps you could review T99's suspension on this occasion as she would appear to have been a victim of circumstance rather than someone who's deliberately tried to get herself into trouble.  After all, if a copyright infringer can be banned only after "repeated" offences surely the same should go for a blogger who's not been aware they were offending Blogit staff.

However, that's my last say on the matter as I don't want to get myself into trouble as well!

posted by markd on August 31, 2004 at 2:43 PM | link to this | reply

I AGREE

it is very sad..................tamarra99 is going to be very missed by many of us...........  

posted by _Symphony_ on August 31, 2004 at 2:18 PM | link to this | reply

sigh....

this is sooo sad.

posted by homegirl on August 31, 2004 at 1:38 PM | link to this | reply

Whim

We're sorry you feel this way. For future reference, Blogit Conduct Policy states clearly:

Respect the rules, other community members, and the staff members who work hard to provide and improve this service.

And we repeat, we typically do not suspend someone over a single incident.

Thank you.

Brian

Blogit Team

www.blogit.com: The online writing marketplace.

posted by BlogitStaff on August 31, 2004 at 12:54 PM | link to this | reply

Brian

Excuse me, but I have a couple of problems with your answer.  You state disrespecting a Blogit employee is grounds for closing their account.  I could not find that in the terms of use.  Would you please show me that segment for future reference?  Had you used the following, "Shaycom reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to terminate your access to and use of Blogit or any portion thereof at any time, without notice." I would not question, although I suspect you would have more of an uprising. 

Second, I have been around here long enough to have seen a lot of disrespect.  And I do mean a lot toward fellow bloggers.  Some of them even received several slaps on the wrist and are still here.  In comparision, although Tamara was obviously upset, she was not disrespectful enough to justify your actions.  This makes me wonder if the action taken had more to do with the fact she upset you than the fact she made the statement.  The only other conclusion I can draw, without further details, is it is greater sin to insult management than the customer, meaning bloggers.  And, that, I would find supremely insulting. 

posted by Whim on August 31, 2004 at 12:19 PM | link to this | reply

markd

We would not suspend someone for expressing their opinion. But we do suspend for intentionally posting to make purely negative or disruptive comments, or repeatedly berating and being disrespectful to Blogit staff members.

As stated on the Policy Violations help page, repeated copyright infringement is a common reason for account suspension, so there is no chance that action would not be taken against a copyright violator.

posted by BlogitStaff on August 31, 2004 at 9:36 AM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

There is a single standard. We encourage strong opinions about all Blogit policies -- that is how change happens -- as long as it does not violate Blogit policy, e.g. by intentionally posting to make purely negative or disruptive comments, or being disrespectful to Blogit staff members. And, we typically do not suspend someone over a single incident.

The best way to ensure that copyright infringement is addressed quickly is to follow the suggested procedure. Typically, when the procedure is followed, the issue is resolved very quickly. Copyright owners are quick to notify us, and we are quick to take immediate action.

Brian
Blogit Team
www.blogit.com: The online writing marketplace.

posted by BlogitStaff on August 31, 2004 at 9:35 AM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle

Well said.  I was going to leave my own comment here in community but you've done it for me.

Brian and all Blogitstaff, you did make a point that you weren't prepared to discuss the issue with people not able to make a constructive argument; I feel that T99 did indeed make a constructive argument but that's beside the point now.  The question is, what is the constructive argument for banning her for simply airing a frustration - and a personal opinion - but not for taking further action against the guy who was clearly doing the wrong thing?

I have quite a strong opinion on this myself, but I'm getting a little scared of airing it now.

posted by markd on August 31, 2004 at 6:04 AM | link to this | reply