Plagiarism of The Art of Kiltmaking

**Barb T.** · 28th October 09, 06:11 AM

I am really upset. A guy named Brett Gordon bought my kiltmaking book, taught himself how to make a kilt, and then decided that he would indulge in a little plagiarism on the website eHow.com. It can’t possibly be called “accidental” – he carefully chose a group of illustrations from my book, scanned 26 of them on his scanner, and posted them, along with written text adapted from the book and a list of tips and materials that come almost directly from the book. No permission from me; not even a mention that the work is someone else’s. Just his smug avatar at the top of the post.

And this guy is an artist! I wonder how he would feel if someone copied his artwork and distributed it around without attribution? I have emailed him to ask him to take it down, but I presume that someone who would steal this blatantly will just blow me off.

I would be delighted if you guys sent him some emails in my defense. Also, if you want to join eHowto.com and post a comment on his post at http://www.ehow.com/how_5203425_make-kilt.html, I would be thrilled. I'd rather he was shamed into taking it down than going the long route of a lawsuit.

Grr. snarl.

And thank you, Rex Tremende, for letting me know that this joker had done this!! I love how the people on XMarks look out for their own.

**jrmiller** · 28th October 09, 06:19 AM

Barb,
Copyright law is very clear on this sort of thing and courts take it very seriously. I have been directly involved in a copyright case of my own (I was th e owner of the material). Have your lawyer send these people a letter stating that you are the owner of the material and reference your book as proof. If they don't respond or take it down, then you ought to file suit. It's cheap to file suit and shows the other party you are serious.

**Barb T.** · 28th October 09, 06:22 AM

I intend to, if he doesn't take it down in the next couple of days, but I sure wouldn't mind if he got it with both barrels from my friends as well.

**Splash_4** · 28th October 09, 06:29 AM

Unbelievable! Have joined and posted a comment as well.

**KFCarter** · 28th October 09, 06:30 AM

I posted a comment on eHow. The nerve of that guy!!!

**Geoff Withnell** · 28th October 09, 06:35 AM

Comment posted

Geoff Withnell

**escherblacksmith** · 28th October 09, 06:50 AM

have you reported it through eHow yet? Often that is the best first step.

**Canuck** · 28th October 09, 06:51 AM

Same as the post above here is a link http://www.ehow.com/about_us/contact_us.aspx

**Barb T.** · 28th October 09, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by escherblacksmith

have you reported it through eHow yet? Often that is the best first step.

Yes, I did that earlier this morning. I haven't heard back from them yet.

**Panache** · 28th October 09, 07:02 AM

Barb,

I joined, commented on "his" article, and then sent a message through the site's Contact Us page to let them know this ShenZhen person has blatantly stolen your work.

I'm sorry fellow treated your much respected work so poorly.

For those that have joined to show support of Barb here is the Contact page of the How-to site if you want to let them know how you feel

http://www.ehow.com/about_us/contact_us.aspx

Sincerely

Jamie