Plagiarized Images
Jane McGary (Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:44:33 PST)

After sending my previous post on this topic, it occurred to me that
some participants in this discussion will know that a few years ago I
took umbrage when statements I had made on this forum were quoted in
a book without my permission. (I was not the only person whose text
was so used.) My annoyance, however, was due to the fact that I had
demurred when the author asked me to contribute content to the
planned book, and to the fact that I was cited by name, implying that
I had in some way supported the book project. Had my comments been
included anonymously, I would not have been offended. For that
matter, I would not have been much offended if the book had been any
good. I must point out, however, that I did not take revenge by
sending it for review to someone I expected would savage it, and it
was treated quite gently in the journal I was editing at that time.

If images lifted from our wiki are being used in fraudulent or
criminal marketing schemes (for instance, for the sale of bulbs
illegally dug in the wild), or in support of stupid blogs, we do have
every right to be offended, but we should feel relieved if the
(mis)user does not credit the photographer.

Hannon's comment about the potential for online content helping "to
establish and reinvigorate local clubs" is an interesting one and
I've taken it as the start of a different thread.

Jane McGary
Portland, Oregon, USA