The DALnetizen, Issue #8, Official ezine of DALnet


Contents: Copyright & Plagiarism in IRC

By: Ticker

Dishonesty is like a boomerang. About the time you think you think all is well, it hits you in the back of the head. Whenever people violate Copyright that's how it might seem to them.

Perhaps they copied a poem, a quotation or a mIRC Script, and they used the poem on their web site; or the quotation.. or, they downloaded the Script, and modified it and put their own nick and logo on it, and then presented it as their own creation. On the surface, it sounds like a simple inoffensive thing to do, but in reality it's considered a crime and highly unethical the world over.

To help define "Plagiarism" I did a quick web search and found one of the most comprehensive and simple definitions from Geoff Mitchell, at Griffith University, Australia, in regard to the school's Computing Policies. He defines Plagiarism as the:
"word for word copying of sentences or paragraphs from one or more sources which are the work or data of other persons without clearly identifying their origin by appropriate referencing;  closely para-phrasing sentences or paragraphs from one or more sources without appropriate acknowledgment in the form of a reference to the original work or works;  using another person's ideas, works or research data without appropriate acknowledgment;  copying computer files in whole or in part without indicating their origin; submitting work which has been wholly or partially derived from another student's work by a process of mechanical transformation. For example, changing variable names in computer programs."

In an effort to show how important copyright is to some people, I interviewed two IRC Scriptors, husky1, a student in Vancouver, WA and TheBlackPanther, a Software Technician, in Brookings, Oregon. Both are well known for their Scripts, and their personalities in DALnet channels, primarily #CyberParty and a wide variety of others. Husky1 has been online in IRC for a year and a half, and TheBlackPanther for over two years, as Operators, Helpers, SuperOps and Scriptors.  One of the questions put to them was, Why develop a Script for IRC in the first place ??

Husky1 explains, "During the summer of 1998 I was severely addicted to IRC. I loved everything about it but I couldn't find a script that suited me the way I wanted. People kept telling me that this script was the best and that that script was the best and I just didn't like any of them. There were 2 major problems with almost every other script. The first was that people rush to publish a script and forget one very important part of scripting, YOU HAVE TO TEST IT OR ELSE THERE WILL BE BUGS, and I have seen only 3 or 4 scripts that are almost completely bug free. The second problem is that people don't think about what other people want in a script, people pile tons and tons of useless shit into a script and make it so hard to follow and use that people end up deleting it after using it 1 or 2  times.  So being severely disgusted with the lack of a script that suited me I ventured out on a journey, a journey to produce a script that was functional, easy to use, and that was bug free. "

But, for TheBlackPanther, it was slightly different. He reports, "Ummm, it started with popups and aliases and I got tired of typing it
all...  so I made a script that would do it for me...  then I went back to typing it all out and developed the script for other peoples wants..."

Husky1 learned his Scripting from people, manuals and help texts, while TheBlackPanther advises, "Hit the F1 key while using mIRC...  or type /help and you'll end up in the same place I learned 99% of it...  Other than that I usually ask any questions in #mirc or #helpdesk."

TheBlackPanther, when asked how he knows a Script is finished, commented, "You mean there's an end?" and husky1 said, "A script is never finished, you can always add more." and does his re-writes every few months.

Husky1 has distributed his Script, through MIRC-X and Xcalibre and on IRC or at his web sites, http://members.tripod.com/~Titanium_Script  and www.skydon.com/Titanium (coming soon). He reports 300-400 users to date.

TheBlackPanther reports his Script is distributed very carefully, "I send the actual files that I run on my mIRC program, so the user gets the most recent copy every time. This also means I walk them through installation so there aren't a bunch of people running around using a script they don't fully understand. I also make sure the person is fitted for the script. No sense in sending someone a script if they aren't going to appreciate it or have a use for it."

He also says, he's sent out about 50 copies and assisted with the installment process, from Version 1.5 up to the current Version 4.0 when he gets to an ending point, meaning debugged and working properly.  Although he has a web site, his Script is not distributed there, http://www.angelfire.com/or/theblackpanther/index.html

Both thought writing a Script was important. TheBlackPanther claims, "People ask me for things, I build it, I include it in my script...  it grows... so importance isn't really what I'm after...  it was a public need so I filled it...  *eg* I've been slacking lately though... "

Both Scripts have had their Copyrights violated.

Husky1 says, "How did it make me feel? Horrible, pissed, very upset, I mean I was the one who put the months and months of writing code into it and people change a few popups and change the name of it and call it their own.  That is not right not to mention a huge action of disrespect."

And, TheBlackPanther comments, "Yeah, I give people portions of it, and allow them to make any changes they want. As long as they ask me first I donut throw too much of a fit.  I only allow a few people to distribute my script since I like to be able to answer questions if they've got any. As far as ripping scripts...  I think it's BS...  If you can't make the code for yourself you shouldn't get credit without having the proper permission."

Still in the anarchy of cyberspace, people sometimes feel at liberty to help themselves. While researching this important phenomena I also found, that the rules are almost boarderless. At web site, http://www.patents.com/weblaw.sht#engine
some lawyers explain that, "Absence of a copyright notice does not mean it is okay to copy something. Under US copyright law, for example, any original work fixed in a tangible medium is automatically protected by copyright regardless of whether any copyright formalities are done. Under the Berne Convention the absence of a copyright notice does not mean that a work is not protected by copyright."

Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen. (Epictetus)

copyright @ 1999 to Ticker