Copyright and Plagiarism

This research seeks to define the terms ‘copyright’, ‘intellectual property’ and ‘plagiarism’. It is also aimed at finding out whether or not persons are allowed to use images from websites and paste into their work , the consequences of a student that plagiarizes and how plagiarism can be avoided .


Intellectual Property refers to the creations of the mind that are manifested in a tangible form and are protected by law. Intellectual property is divided into two categories: Industrial Property and Copyright. Industrial property refers to inventions or patents and trademarks. Copyright refers to the literary or artistic works such as paintings and novels. It is the legal right given to persons that originally produce their creative work by through hard labour and use of skills and talents that they possess. It is implemented so that their work, ideas and information are protected and cannot be used by others without consent of the author.


Using images from websites and pasting into your own work should not be done unless permission is received from the author of the work. This is copyright infringement and one can be legally punished for this as such creative work of others is protected by the copyright law.


Plagiarism is the act of stealing someone’s creative work or idea and using it as your own. This can take the form of using one’s writings without the use of quotation marks, direct use of a sentence or phrase or rewording another’s words in a similar pattern, taking work done by someone else and presenting it as your own and also receiving help from another person and claiming it to be entirely your own. Plagiarism can be avoided by the proper use of quotation marks when borrowing words or phrases or stating the name of the author, ensure that paraphrased material is written in your own style, ensure that work submitted is entirely yours and provide references of work borrowed.


The consequences of a student that plagiarizes include not receiving any marks for work submitted, suspension, expellsion or punishment by revoking of their diplomas or by preventing them from graduating. Students should also be warned and taught about the negative effects that plagiarism can have on learning.


We have to be very careful about what information we use from the internet and how we use it. If we want to use other people’s creative ideas or work then we should ask their permission or avoid using the exact piece of work. Unauthorized use of the work of another is theft and can have serious consequences according to the copyright law.