Question for f-list fic writers

[frozencatnip]

I recently ran into a round robin contest on a forum, in which the latest entry bore a Very Definite resemblance to a friend's fic plot.  The plot in question is unique, and the writer of the round robin is known to be familiar with it

Comments

[ext_101822]

I call bullshit. I've even had it happen to me before, and the girl emailed me and asked if she could use the idea. That was very sweet of her, but also just common courtesy.

Kids these days! I'm with you-- sounds dodgy to me.

[frozencatnip]

Oh, I called bullshit - you know me. Which started a fight with the site mod, who insisted that we should "Wait and see" since it was early in the round robin and there was no way of knowing where the story would go and if the final product would bear any resemblance.

Which makes no sense to me.

The site mod is now accusing me of flaming, as I pointed out the, ahem, flaws in that theory and mentioned the scary Plagiarism word.

Yes, I'm a bitch. We know this, though.

[michan17]

Uh....that's crap. And it's fucked up. I mean, seriously? No no no. To use someone's idea you must first ASK, and if they say "no" you DON'T DO IT.

Phail.

[frozencatnip]

Well, I admit I've used minor things from other people's fics without asking permission, especially if their contact info was outdated. But I've always put a disclaimer crediting the person in question.

In any case, this wasn't minor stuff, like Bobby's car being named Simon. This was major plot stuff. Granted, he claims to be heading in a different direction with it, but I still don't think "Apologies to..." is crediting her with anything.

Of course, given the quality of his writing, apologies is probably appropriate. But not as acknowledgement. ;)

[fatal_blue]

Of course, given the quality of his writing, apologies is probably appropriate.

*snerk* You have no idea how often that thought has crossed my mind, too.

[xakko]

a few examples, to help alleviate your ignorance