Incredible: the Internet produces massive amounts of instant karma

[L-A]

Some of you probably read about it:

Copyright follies

A friend of mine has a story to tell—her article on early modern apple pies of interest to medieval recreationists was copied wholesale and published in the ad-driven, newsstand-distributed, for-profit magazine Cook's Source without permission or payment.

Monica contacted me and I suggested that she just write to the magazine. This sort of outright plagiarism is fairly rare—generally it's either some kook or even a prisoner looking for some side income who runs a minor scam in this way. I suggested that Monica write the magazine and ask for like, $100, which a regional publication with ads and such could handle. But oh ho, we indeed have a winner! Here's what Judith Griggs, managing editor of Cook's Source said, in part, to Monica, after claiming "three decades" experience in publishing:

By Judith Griggs

But honestly Monica, the web is considered "public domain" and you should be happy we just didn't "lift" your whole article and put someone else's name on it! It happens a lot, clearly more than you are aware of, especially on college campuses, and the workplace. If you took offence and are unhappy, I am sorry, but you as a professional should know that the article we used written by you was in very bad need of editing, and is much better now than was originally. Now it will work well for your portfolio. For that reason, I have a bit of a difficult time with your requests for monetary gain, albeit for such a fine (and very wealthy!) institution. We put some time into rewrites, you should compensate me! I never charge young writers for advice or rewriting poorly written pieces, and have many who write for me... ALWAYS for free!"

Followed here: http://nihilistic-kid.livejournal.com/1553538.html

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This has picked up at a crazy speed. When I went on the Facebook page after lunch, it was around 700 "likes". The website is already down, too.

That's a whole lotta payback happening, and I'm glad people give it when it's deserved, but ain't it a bit frightening how fast and big it became, all based on one person's say-so?

tl;dr: Read the quoted part and react like the rest of the Internet.

[bassybill]

Crazy. Let's hope that the editor learns from the experience in some sort of meaningful way. Like, financial.

Me, I'd get a copy of the magazine and send a letter to all the advertisers asking for their opinion. If I was buying ad space in a magazine and found that they were as d-baggish as this, they'd never get another cent out of my company.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by bassybill

Me, I'd get a copy of the magazine and send a letter to all the advertisers asking for their opinion. If I was buying ad space in a magazine and found that they were as d-baggish as this, they'd never get another cent out of my company.

A bunch of people did exactly this. I doubt there's a single one of the magazine's advertisers ignoring it right now.

[john turner]

awesome. i can't wait to see how this plays out.

[Jim Nazium]

Originally Posted by john turner

awesome. i can't wait to see how this plays out.

+1
Judging by that woman's attitude, I'd say it's a safe bet that she has plagiarized other material in the past. And now that she's on the wrong side of legions of internet-savvy young people, someone is going to find it and make it widely known. Karma indeed.

[L-A]

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

+1
Judging by that woman's attitude, I'd say it's a safe bet that she has plagiarized other material in the past. And now that she's on the wrong side of legions of internet-savvy young people, someone is going to find it and make it widely known. Karma indeed.

She stole from NPR, WebMD, Martha Stewart, WeightWatchers, even Disney. Interneters did an incredible job researching and contacting about everyone involved.
I don't see anything else but bankruptcy and possible legal issues for this woman.

Those who contacted the advertisers and got them to stop financing the magazine now encourage people to buy from them, which is a pretty awesome way to say thank you.

[bassybill]

To me, the plagiarism is a real turn-off, but what's way, way, way worse is the total arrogance with which she responded when called out about it. The email quoted in the OP is a textbook example of how to deliberately disrespect and antagonise someone while pretending to be polite. Well, perhaps she was trying to provoke some sort of reaction - it looks like she's got one. I'll bet she now wishes she'd just written out a cheque.

But you're right about the scary big and scary fast aspects. Gulp.

[nukes_da_bass]

I think it would be prudent for Ms. Griggs to change the name of her periodical to "Plagiarism Monthly"

[L-A]

I'm still checking how this unfolds. Judith Griggs has made a second comment and tried to create a new "Cooks Source Magazine" page, in hopes of losing the commenters.

This woman is a miracle in oblivousness.