According to wikis plagiarism is defined in dictionaries as the “wrongful appropriation,” “close imitation,” or “purloining and publication” of another author’s “language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions,” and the representation of them as one's own original work, but the notion remains problematic with nebulous boundaries. The modem concept of plagiarism as immoral and originality as an ideal emerged in Europe only in the 18th century, particularly with romantic movement, while the previous centuries authors and artists were encouraged to "copy the masters as closely as possible" and avoid "unnecessary invention.
Plagiarism is not a crime per se but is disapproved more on the grounds of moral offense, in case of plagiarism can involving liability for copyright infringement. Generally, although plagiarism is often loosely referred to as theft or stealing, it has not been set as a criminal matter in the courts. Likewise, plagiarism has not standing as a criminal offense in the common law. Instead, claims of plagiarism are a civil law matter, which ab aggrieved person can resolve by launching a lawsuit. Acts that may constitute plagiarism are in some instances treated as copyright infringement, unfair competition, or a violation of doctrine of moral rights. The increase availability of intellectual property due to a rise in technology has furthered the debate as to whether copyright of offense are criminal.
In the academic world, plagiarism by students is a very serious offense that can result in punishment such as failing grade on the particular assignment "typically at the high school level" or of the course "typically at the college or university only". For cases repeated plagiarism , or cases in which student commits severe plagiarism "submitting a copied article as his or her work" a student maybe suspended or expelled
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