Acknowledging the work of board members. I think we need a policy. Archived Message
Posted by Beth on April 16, 2016, 5:25 am
Over the last 2 years I have noticed that many of the insights, deductions and discoveries of members of this board have been used on blog sites without any, or minimal, attribution.
In one case a precisely annotated image by one of our members was used as well as that RJWMB poster's insight, deduction and conclusion without any acknowledgement.
In all cases I have seen the impression given is that the blogger concerned has made the discovery. In some cases this board has been mentioned but usually only to suggest that RJWMB members have made some minor contribution which the blogger has deigned to acknowledge to highlight his/her self proclaimed credentials as a researcher.
In the past week I have come across 4 such sites, which is why I am raising the issue now. (The two I discovered today outraged me and have prompted this comment.)
The only re-used discovery from this board which I have seen fully acknowledge is Vincent's regarding the Vifte tiara.
I realise that we are all pooling ideas on a forum which can be viewed by anyone, but posters still have intellectual property rights regardless of this being an internet forum, and those rights are the same as if the person published in a book, journal, magazine, newspaper etc.
Perhaps the bloggers have no idea of the rights of intellectual property?
I wonder if board members would like to formulate a policy regarding how to handle infringements of intellectual property?