Plagiarism was always problem on Steemit and some people just don't feel any shame while doing things that can harm other people's work and reputation. There are many different way which you can plagiarize others, you can copy their text, steal their pictures and images and present them as yours... and in many cases, these plagiarists will not be noticed and marked as thieves. But is stealing an idea considered as plagiarism? Well, that's something to discuss because the idea doesn't have to be explained the same way by original author and the one who was inspired by original author and made his own work.

When you think that you got a good idea, somewhere in this world somebody probably already HAD the same idea.

So it is very hard to claim that you are the owner od an idea. You have to be a pretty genius scientist and have very advanced brain to claim that you "own the idea". Because you're so smart and nobody ever had that idea...

But the rest of us also have ideas. And it is possible that two, three or two hundred people on different sides of the world come up with the same idea at the same time! So, if an idea was born on different locations at the same time, it is pointless to claim that one particular author owns that idea!

But Steemit is different.

One starts with an idea and posts about it! If his post was successful, it will probably inspire few of his followers to start writing about same things. Is that plagiarism? NO! You just opened the door for others, let them in and now they act like they need to spread the word... if you have this sort of followers who will take your ideas and write about same things but using their own words, that can mean only one thing: that you have awesome ideas! But in almost all cases they will not name you as an original author of that idea! Because they use their own words, you can't do nothing!

If you find your own ideas in some texts of users that do not follow you, they probably had the same ideas like you but explained them differently. But when someone follows you, comments your posts, supports your ideas and then, two-three days later, you see very similar title with very similar text but with completely the same message... and no one mentioned that you inspired them for that!

That's what happens to me lately! I supported some authors on their beginnings, gave them some advice, resteemed when they needed... but few days later, I often find their posts, telling exactly the same things as me but using few different words... In June 2017, when the whole stampedo of new users came on the network, I made a series of posts called GREAT STEEMERS TO FOLLOW, so what you think, how many of my newer followers back then started to do the same thing using even the same title? It was not comfortable feeling for me, especially because nobody mentioned me as an original source of the idea? There are many other examples, some guys really do that!

I don't want any fights, I support many people here and I think that I helped a lot to some users. I will not name anyone for stealing my ideas, but you should know that this is not very nice of you! I helped how I could and I want still support you, but it is time for you to grow up, explore the wide world and come up with your own ideas! Thank you!

#UNDERGROUNDSTEEMERS