Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Bob Smith — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:25:59 GMT

I am amazed, once again, to find that someone who claims to have knowledge of Chinese culture is 'dumbfounded' by the theft of their intellectual property. China is a communist state. Merriam Webster defines communism as "a theory advocating elimination of private property." No private property: Your thoughts belong to the state and the people (even if it isn't the intent of the ideology by definition, it is the obvious and unavoidable consequence of the communal thought structure). This isn't rocket science, folks. If nothing else, how can someone who knows a thing about China not be aware that close to 90% of the world's pirated movies and software come from China?

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Roger Roe, New York, NY — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:39:25 GMT

Counterfeiting words???? It's called plagiarism. No need to create new terms b/c you think it sounds clever.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Chin Ho, HOHoHOnolulu, Five-o — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:45:37 GMT

Confuse us say since you sinned since we were the word itself; it's about time you reclaimed the author's copyright on SIN!

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Josh, Beijing, China — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:07:48 GMT

If people are interested in my take on Confucius Institute taking our material I posted a blog earlier today at:
http://www.chinaexpat.com/blog/josh/2007/07/10/why-confucius-institute-online-stealing-content.html

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Phillip Gaster, Bowling Green, OH — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:08:39 GMT

While I have no personal experience with Chinese culture in particular, I think it's important to note that most cultures around the world do not have the same attitudes toward property rights that Western cultures do, and there is even variability among Western cultures. For example, plagiarism is somewhat more prevalent in Spanish culture than it is in America. Especially when it comes to ideas, which are highly intangible and abstract, many cultures simply do not recognize that certain things can be "owned" by one person. In my opinion, it is highly probable that the Chinese institute simply did not recognize that they were doing anything wrong by copying the articles.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Marcel Proust — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:14:53 GMT

Of all the lame articles to 'allow' comment on! Why not a real story like 'the font style on our homepage to go Times New Roman'? 'The Nixon-ification of Bush' would have been another good one to allow commentary on (dead link) Why is it that your best articles do not allow comments? Every article should end with 'comment on this'

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

JW — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:43:36 GMT

Everything china does or says is usually a lie, they very rarely let negative information get out about their country.
Everysince the rest of the world saw what murdering communists the government realy is, the murdering of all those students in the square.
No nation or any people believe anything that comes out of the crooked nation anymore.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Josh, ATL — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:46:19 GMT

Phillip you're an idiot.

If I wrote an article and published something like this:

"Phillip does not understand the difference between Plagiarism and Copying of Ideas, he obviousily did not get through english in his quest for a G.E.D. "

And then another newspaper claimed that they wrote an original article which included the EXACT WORDING ABOVE!

It's not plagiarism to share THE SAME IDEAS but to be a lazy @$$ and cut and paste an article and claim it's your own original work is wrong. You can re-write the same thing 80 different ways, in your own words? wow! what an IDEA !!! ( don't copy my exact wording bloggers or I'll hunt you down.)

Yeah I'm sure they didn't know it was wrong that's why they didnt respond to emails from the author of the papers they copied.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Mike Brenner, Panama City, Panama — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 15:46:41 GMT

"Merriam Webster defines communism as "a theory advocating elimination of private property." No private property:"

I am from an ex communist country and I can say that there were PRIVATE PROPERTIES in that country. The people were owning houses or apartments so "Merriam Webster" is wrong.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

James, Miami — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:13:14 GMT

Oh Phillip,

The soft bigotry of cultural relativism.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Paul Green, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:17:53 GMT

At 10:25 hours his time, a certain Bob Smith wrote: "I am amazed, once again, to find that someone who claims to have knowledge of Chinese culture is 'dumbfounded' by the theft of their intellectual property. (Chinese Beijing) is a communist state. Merriam Webster defines communism as 'a theory advocating elimination of private property.' No private property: Your thoughts belong to the state and the people; even if it isn't the intent of the ideology by definition, it is the obvious and unavoidable consequence of the communal thought structure. This isn't rocket science, folks. If nothing else, how can someone who knows a thing about (Chinese Beijing) not be aware that close to 90% of the world's pirated movies and software come from (Chinese Beijing)?"

Though Mr. Smith's posting tells part of the story, that is not all. Chinese Beijing--there is NO China at this time, and there will not be as long as Chinese Beijing and Chinese Taipei are not under control of the same government, which government does NOT deserve to be that of Chinese Beijing--has been evil for centuries and has been under, for no enduring period, any moral or ethical government; indeed, the entire region is tyrannized by an evil totalitarian dictatorship where the rights of the individual are watered down, stomped out, and trodden underfoot, and has always been for its entire history, with very temporary and extremely trifling variation, so tyrannized. The lessons of ethicist Kung Chiu, as Confucius (Kung Fu-Tse) was known to his own people, are actually illegal to learn in that part of Earth. And they CAME from that part of Earth!

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Bill Vanderbush — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:45:10 GMT

Hey you got a front page mention on msnbc.com. Hits to your site should go through the roof. Sounds like you should send the Institute a thank you card. Whatever payback you're seeking from these uncreative communists is probably not equal to the value of the free advertising you're getting. On second thought, maybe you should cut them a check.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Phil Finan, Dover, FL — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:49:17 GMT

Having lived in China for several years (Changchun and Beijing), I'm not surprised at all by the blatant pilfering of any intellectual property in China. The government keeps a stranglehold on individual thought so why would Josh be shocked over having his articles plagiarized? He’s lived there long enough to know how the system works and if he receives a response from the Confucius Institute then I would be astounded.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Copy Cat — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:44:20 GMT

Ahhhh yeah what all those people said.....

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Josh Abrams, Wallawalla, Wash. — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:21:20 GMT

Can't we all just sit down with some Tunafish and thank goodness for the sea? The sea giveth and the sea taketh away and thus it shall be for the future of the sea.

Tunafish, Tunafish, Tunafish indeed.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Rick, Seattle, Wash. — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:24:37 GMT

Is this really a question of "communist counterfeiting", or just a continuation of the struggle between professional journalists (who expect to get paid for what they write) and the culture of the internet (where everything posted there is expected by many to be within the public domain)?

I had a problem with my own website, when I posted a schedule of sports competition, only to have another web site claim I violated their copyright. They had an in with the regional chair who agreed to post the schedule on their web site, and not to distribute copies for general circulation (as had been done previously). Can a schedule of competitions for a regional sport really be copyrighted info? I didn't fight it at the time.

On the other hand, I give permission to re-print articles on my web site to other clubs and non-profits, provided they provide credit and a link to my site. So far that seems to work well for everyone involved (hey, traffic is traffic, isn't it?) but I don't have the problem with "wholesale copying of original content" that this author seems to have experienced.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Allan Tao — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:26:20 GMT

Paul Green, you are a real idiot.
Let me tell you something you don't really know about.
The lessons of ethicist Kung Chiu are NOT illegal to learn in that part of Earth." And I suggest that you save enough money (if you are capable of) to travel to that part of the EARTH to learn something real. You should update your knowledge about China every now and then. By the way, can you pinpoint where China is on a map?

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Greg, Huntington, West Virginia — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:40:57 GMT

The concept that ideas can be owned exists because people believe they should receive credit for what ideas they create that have the potential to earn money or appreciation.

However, in reality, without a rigid social structure that enforces an almost impossible latticework of rules and regulations upon such a nebulous thing as ideas, it becomes nearly impossible for artists and inventors to make a living.

Thoughts, words, and ideas are, at the most primal level, free. The only sure way to keep ownership of an idea, realistically, is to keep it to yourself. When you come to the conflict of converting an idea into profit or credit, you will always lose *some* amount of either to the rest of the world.

Cooperation and sharing beats competition and earning. Good luck to all of you.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Jo Ziegler, La Jolla, CA — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:57:38 GMT

Just to set the record straight
1. “China is a communist state.” It’s not.
Why: Merriam Webster defines communism as "a theory advocating elimination of private property."
2. “close to 90% of the world's pirated movies and software come from China” Wrong. Why: Check out the Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus’ report.
3. “The lessons of ethicist Kung Chiu, as Confucius (Kung Fu-Tse) was known to his own people, are actually illegal to learn in that part of Earth. And they CAME from that part of Earth!” Utterly wrong while pretending as a China expert. Why: Josh would’ve called China’s KGB on that institute he’s complaining about.
Confucius say, don’t pretend knowing what you don’t!

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Toni — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:58:42 GMT

I used to run a tutoring center at a college. In my ESL teaching training, we were told that in China, plagerism is not looked at the way it is looked at here. Students are encouraged to, basically, repeat exactly what they read. They may rewrite a little, but for the most part, the thought is that if it was already said well, why would you write your own thoughts?

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Milo Harvey, NYC — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:02:59 GMT

If one is so concerned with theft of ideas and has a desire to protect...then please do so using proper and legal methods. Other wise just kick back and watch. Maybe some of those "stolen ideas" will spark a larger idea.

Further, Einstein said something like, "I stand on the shoulders of giants." Keep in mind that real revolutionary thoughts are not typically recognized until after the individual is dead, so what does it matter?

...tomorrow is another day... enjoy the aspects of that you have direct control over.. :-p

(Thank you for the link to Expat site. Nice)

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Scott: Woodinville, WA — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:05:22 GMT

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Al, Tustin, Ca — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:23:02 GMT

No reason to think. Just plagiarize mindlessly. Please give authors/experts credit for there work. Why would the authors want to share with us dummys otherwise?

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

S. B. Stein E.B. NJ — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:30:47 GMT

It is sad that plagerism is not looked down upon. It is like any kind of piracy or theft. I tend to think that any kind of plagerism can be worse than physical stealing because ideas can be fundamental to someone's personal identity as well as their self esteem among other things. To lose something that one has put heart and soul and find someone else claims it for their own can be devestating. It is beginning to seem that China is little more than a brutal dictatorship that cares little for other people's ideas and their protection. If there was only so worth while to take from all of the Chinese and say it is someone else's. They would all cry and scream bloody murder. I think that they should understand that perspective of loss.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Ann LaJolla, CA — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 19:37:43 GMT

all energy is recycled and thoughts too!

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Harry, Smalltown, in Az. — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:33:51 GMT

"Excuse Me". How many times has that been said before we were even born? Is that plagerism? If I was to type every word in the Dictionary would that be plagerism? I'm sure that someone has used all those words before. How many times have you said something off the top of your head just to hear someone who reads a lot say that's been said before? Sorry, I never read it or heard it before. If you want to keep your ideas and words used secret, don't write it. There are only so many words in the Dictionary. Now, if it's exactly the same wording, I would call that plagerism. Or, could it be just plain luck? Everybody does not read what everybody has writen in the past.

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Person LivingoveringSea — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:44:17 GMT

wHY THE HECK DOES USA BUSINESSES SHIP SO MUCH, IF NOT ALL OF Their manufacturing TO CHINA? BECAUSE USA PEOPLE ARE TOO LAZY, OVERWEIGHT, WANT HIGH WAGES FOR SHODDY WORKMANSHIP, BRAG TOO MUCH ABOUT THEMSELVES, THINK THEY ARE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE AND DRINK TOO MUCH BEER! The USA wants cheap labor which leads to exploits of workers in China. i SHOULD KNOW. i've SEEN IT ON TV, THE MOVIES AND READ IT IN THE NEWS and online SO it MUST BE TRUE! I believe everything I read. Even though I have never been to China but San Francisco's or New York's Chinatown is close enough to resemble the real deal! America is the most 'evil' of all business places! America layoff their own people just so they can save couple of bucks per gizmo, which translates to millions of saving. America hires the brightest lawyers, design engineers and penny pinchers, calculator punching PoinDexters to save every nickel and dimes they can in designing something.

I am a typical know-it-all American pot-belly, beer drinking, balding, 40 years old living at home with my mom-mom.(in the basement so I am really living independently)
Merriam Webster defines USA "US Against the world" Yeah! Go USA!!

As an American I only cry "foul play" when I'm losing!

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

not oppressed in China — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:53:30 GMT

I saw something on the internet last week..... but do I have to reference the author and web site when I say that? Yes by western standards it is normal and even mandatory to include a full accreditation of who wrote the original but China it is not. They do understand copyright and IP but don’t see it as necessary to tell everyone every time.
It doesn’t really tell you what he wrote about except for the story on the music group but I expect that not all of them were glowing messages of support for the ruling party
If a foreigner has written something for foreigners living in China and a government web site reprints it then it must mean the article was good and the government is not trying to censor the information. Something I don’t understand is why do so many people think the Chinese government is running around blocking the people’s ability to think for themselves? Do you think that the Chinese people are unable to think without permission from the government? Don’t you think they can read “bad thoughts” on the web? I know the government does block some sites but if you can read Chinese then you would know they do blog and comment on the same topics and in the same irreverent way as English speaking people
China is now socialist not communist. Communists don’t encourage free enterprise and an economic boom like China has

Even words aren’t safe from counterfeiting

Jeremy, Shanghai — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:26:35 GMT

China is neither socialist nor communist now. It is the most capitalist / market-oriented country in the world. Socialist countries usually provide for those less well off in society. China does not.