Computer Plagiarism

Definition: Plagiarism in Computer Science

Computer plagiarism is more common than you might think. The origin is often a 'copy-paste' action from the vast amount of information available on the internet. The borders between inspiration and mimicking can easily blur if not careful.

Importance of Recognising Computer Code Plagiarism

By recognising and understanding computer plagiarism, you learn the importance of originality and creativity in your work. Additionally, it cultivates the ethical standards required in the field of computer science and, by extension, the wider professional and academic communities.

• Discourages unethical conduct and fosters integrity
• Promotes original thinking and innovation
• Respects others' intellectual property rights

Moreover, learning institutions and industries take code plagiarism very seriously. Consequences can range from marks deduction to being expelled or fired. There are tools like Turnitin for code and MOSS (Measure Of Software Similarity) to detect suspicious similarities between different code submissions.

Spotting Examples of Plagiarism Involving the Use of Computers

The first step in spotting computer plagiarism is knowing what it looks like. One obvious sign of code plagiarism is two sources of code that are extensively similar despite small, superficial changes.

// Original Code
float area_of_circle(float radius) {
  return 3.1415926535 * radius * radius;
}

// Plagiarized Code
float calc_area(float r) {
   return 3.14 * r * r;
 }

Studying computer science is as much about learning ethical standards as it is about learning programming, data structures, coding algorithms, etc. Understanding and avoiding computer plagiarism allows you to respect and appreciate the work of others. It also enhances your creativity and promotes a culture of ethical conduct in this continually evolving field.

Various Types of Computer Plagiarism

In computer science, plagiarism doesn't merely include replicating another's code without proper citation. It takes on several forms beyond the simple 'copy-paste' that might be initially presumed. Understanding these different types is essential for both identifying and preventing computer plagiarism.

Types of Plagiarism in Computer Coding

Direct Plagiarism: Also known as 'verbatim plagiarism', it involves directly copying someone else's code without giving credit or citing the original author. This is the most obvious and blatant form of computer plagiarism.

Mosaic Plagiarism: Also referred to as 'patchwork plagiarism', this involves taking portions of someone else's code and using them in your own code without providing proper attribution. Even if only a few lines are copied, it still constitutes plagiarism if presented as original work.

Self Plagiarism: You might think it's not possible to plagiarise your own work, but that's not the case. If you're using the same code in multiple projects without indicating that it's a recursion, it counts as self-plagiarism— especially in academic or professional contexts where every piece of work is expected to be unique.

Paraphrasing: This involves slightly changing someone else's code (e.g., renaming variables or rearranging statements) and portraying it as original work. Although the code appears different on the surface, it's still plagiarised as the underlying logic remains unchanged.

Identifying and Mitigating Different Forms of Computer Code Plagiarism

While it's valuable to spot different types of computer plagiarism, prevention is always better than cure, and there are several ways to mitigate this issue besides simply being aware of it.

Peer Review: This process encourages students to review and critique each other's code. By reviewing your peers' work, you can learn to recognise patterns and characteristics that mark certain code as unique. At the same time, you imbibe standards of code attribution and start identifying inadvertent plagiarism.

Tutor Review: Tutors or lecturers reviewing students' code have the experience and knowledge to detect inconsistencies or suspicious similarities in code blocks, offering a helpful second line of defence against plagiarism.

Automated Plagiarism Detection: Companies and universities often use automated software like Jplag, Codequiry or MOSS to detect similarities in code among a large number of submissions. These tools can identify both direct and paraphrasing types of plagiarism by using sophisticated algorithms that analyse code structure and sequences.

In conclusion, computer plagiarism is a widespread issue that requires understanding and awareness from everyone involved. By knowing the various forms it can take and having in place systems to detect and prevent it, we enhance the overall learning experience while promoting a culture of integrity and respect for others' work.

Computer Plagiarism and Copyright Law

Computer plagiarism extends deeper than solely an ethical dilemma. It also intertwines with the legal sphere, particularly with copyright law. This relationship is essential as it helps to safeguard original content and penalise plagiarism in the computer world.

Connection between Copyright Law and Code Plagiarism

First, we need to understand how copyright law connects with the realm of code plagiarism. The intertwining of these two disciplines forms an essential foundation in preserving the integrity of computer science projects and software development.

• Protection against Plagiarism: By protecting a piece of code under copyright law, you deter potential plagiarists. Any unauthorised use, reproduction or adaptation of your code can be considered a copyright infringement, leading to legal consequences.
• Limitations of Copyright Law: However, the law only protects the specific expression of an idea, not the idea or concept itself. This implies that if an individual, without access to your code, develops a similar code purely by coincidence, it does not constitute copyright infringement.
• Credit Where Credit’s Due: Lastly, using a piece of code available under open-source licensing doesn’t constitute as plagiarism under copyright law as long as attribution is provided based on the licensing terms.

Issues with Copyrighting Computer Programs

Even if copyright law seems like a satisfactory solution to computer code plagiarism, it's not without its unique set of challenges, particularly concerning computer programs.

Transformation vs Derivation: A major issue arises from the interpretation of derivation and transformation. When does a modification qualify as a significant transformation, and when is it just a derivative of the original code? The boundary here is often blurred and subject to interpretation, potentially leading to disputes.

Tightening and Loosening of Copyright Laws: If copyright laws are too tight, they could stifle competition and hamper the development of new software. On the other hand, if they are too loose, they may not provide adequate protections to original works, thus failing to discourage plagiarism.

Interestingly, copyright laws recognise the notion of 'fair use' where a reasonable amount of copyrighted work can be used without permission for purposes such as teaching, research or news reporting. This, however, has its grey areas when being applied to software development and coding.

Examples: How Copyright Law Addresses Code Plagiarism

Several real-world examples highlight how copyright laws handle code plagiarism.

Oracle vs Google: This highly publicised case was a vivid demonstration of copyright law’s applicability to computer software. Google was accused of replicating Oracle’s Java Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) in their Android system. In this case, the 'fair use' clause formed Google's primary defence, ultimately leading to their victory in the Supreme Court.

SAS Institute vs World Programming: UK-based World Programming Ltd reproduced a software language very similar to what was used by SAS Institute in their products. The case was initially brought to court in the UK and thereafter referred to the European Court of Justice. While some form of copyright infringement was acknowledged, the court ultimately ruled that the copied elements of the SAS software were not protected by copyright law. This raised questions concerning how much protection copyright law really offers to software developers.

Both cases underscore the challenges in applying traditional copyright laws to high-tech computer software, further emphasising the ongoing struggle to strike a balance between free use and protection of intellectual property in the world of computer code.

There are mixed feelings about whether copyright law is an effective tool against computer plagiarism. While it provides some deterrents and legal repercussion provisions, integrating traditional copyright laws with the dynamic world of software is far from straightforward. This integration calls for a critical rethinking of copyright laws and their implications for computer programming and software development, particularly as technology continues to evolve at lightning speed.