Is plagiarism criminal?

Is plagiarism criminal?

jtnospam@yahoo.com (jitney)	3/21/2004 6:38:27 AM
Pittsburgh Pete wrote: Yesterday on eBay somebody actually paid $125 for a metallurgy term paper titled "AISI 4142 Steel for Automotive Crankshaft". It was advertised as having obtained a grade of B+ in 2002 from Prof. Robert Baren (Temple U.?) The listing indicated that all journal and literature search material was included. The listing actually was for a sale at $0.25 (to lower eBay's charge?) with shipping and handling of $99.75 and shipping insurance (required) of $24.95. I assume the buyer intends to fraudulently pass this recycled work off as his own. When I went to school about thirty years ago we actually did the work we turned in, but that was western Pennsylvania. Any comments? Pittsburgh Pete Here is the link to the completed item on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3589015620&category=21700 Cut and paste if too long,... or search for "metallurgy" (on eBay.com) and look in the completed items for "Metallurgy Paper, AISI 4142 crankshaft alloy". Cheating is getting so popular that it soon may be required, not just optional. Jim(snip) Does this sort of activity violate any criminal statutes?-Jitney



"David Martel"	3/21/2004 5:10:47 PM
jitney, I doubt that such plagiarism will excite any DA to prosecute. It is fraud if it is handed in as a student's work. While a DA will likely pass on this many academic institutions view plagiarism as a major academic offense. The student if caught will probably receive a flunking grade and a semester's suspension. I'm not sure what the chances of getting caught are.Such "study aids" were available 30 yrs. ago. I think by 1975 there was a major discussion of them on college campuses. The terms of this auction are also fraudulent. The shipping and handling fees are clearly an attempt to cheat e-bay. Any one who bids on such an item has to accept the risks in a criminal venture. There is a good chance that the bidder will not receive a valuable product for his money and will not have any recourse. Dave M.



"Don Priebe"	3/21/2004 5:53:01 PM
The shipping and handling fees are clearly an attempt to cheat e-bay. Any one who bids on such an item has to accept the risks in a criminal venture. There is a good chance that the bidder will not receive a valuable product for his money and will not have any recourse. Notice also that it says this is subject to the 6% PA sales tax. Either PA does not exempt casual sales or this guy is in the business of selling these things. -- Don in Upstate NY



"Richard"	3/21/2004 12:14:57 PM
jitney wrote: Pittsburgh Pete wrote: Yesterday on eBay somebody actually paid $125 for a metallurgy term paper titled "AISI 4142 Steel for Automotive Crankshaft". It was advertised as having obtained a grade of B+ in 2002 from Prof. Robert Baren (Temple U.?) The listing indicated that all journal and literature search material was included. The listing actually was for a sale at $0.25 (to lower eBay's charge?) with shipping and handling of $99.75 and shipping insurance (required) of $24.95. In some cases plagerism can be illegal. That would depend on the nature of the act and state law. If someone wants to sell their work, that's fine. If the buyer turns it in as his own work, then he could face legal problems. As long as no one makes any objections.

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