What would you do in this case?
 

A few years ago when I was pastoring, I posted several of my messages on a website called www.preachit.org. Obviously, I am no longer pastoring, but I still get calls quite frequently from preachers all over the country thanking me for the messages, etc. I am very happy that even though I'm not preaching them, they are still being broadcast and being a blessing to others.

Today I logged onto EA, and was scanning the front page. I was quite surprised to see one of my sermon titles listed on the right side of the page, and I thought, "Hmm, maybe someone posted it from the other website".

Well, I clicked on it, and it was my message - word for word, but another preacher had taken credit for it!

Now, I don't mind telling you, I was a bit miffed. But, should I have been? I never copywrited the message, so maybe I really can't complain.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I think someone should give credit where credit is due. Everyone borrows from someone, but to take it word for word and claim authenticity is just wrong and deceitful. I guess only in Christian circles is it acceptable........not in my book though! :D

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

It is wrong. I would say it is sinful for someone to attach their name to a body of work they did not create. It would be no different than putting your signature at the bottom of a painting you did not paint, or putting in for a paycheck based on someone else’s hours of labor.

I think I would send them a letter and say… “ahem um that sermon you posted of mine you accidently put your name on it.”

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I know a pastor who pulls nearly all of his sermons and lessons off of the internet.

I could listen to the message, go home and type the sermon title into Google, and 90% of the time, it would take me to a sermon website, mostly not even Apostolic.

The unfortunate thing was that he preached them word for word - same jokes, same illustrations, etc.

I just don't agree with that. I have found many great sermon thoughts from others, but I have never downloaded a sermon and preached it word for word.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.

Within academia, plagiarism by students, professors, or researchers is considered academic dishonesty or academic fraud and offenders are subject to academic censure. In journalism, plagiarism is considered a breach of journalistic ethics, and reporters caught plagiarizing typically face disciplinary measures ranging from suspension to termination. Some individuals caught plagiarizing in academic or journalistic contexts claim that they plagiarized unintentionally, by failing to include quotations or give the appropriate citation. While plagiarism in scholarship and journalism has a centuries-old history, the development of the Internet, where articles appear as electronic text, has made the physical act of copying the work of others much easier, simply by copying and pasting text from one web page to another.

Plagiarism is not copyright infringement. While both terms may apply to a particular act, they are different transgressions. Copyright infringement is a violation of the rights of a copyright holder, when material protected by copyright is used without consent. On the other hand, plagiarism is concerned with the unearned increment to the plagiarizing author's reputation that is achieved through false claims of authorship.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

They should just give credit. Or at least say that they borrow from other preachers.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I think it's very wrong, MP.

Although it's wrong, maybe, just maybe, someone will hear it and be blessed.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

You are absolutely right, Sarah, and that's what I'm hanging my hat on.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

so if someone preaches your sermon, word for word... is it your anointing or their anointing... or just a good act?

My dad caught a now well known evangelist listening to sermon tapes in his office... and he proceeded to preach one of the sermons on the tape that night.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I would kindly ask him if he penned those words himself, or if he wouldn't mind naming the author. Just to see what he'd say about it...LOL!

Too bad I'm not a member there or I'd do it for ya!!

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Lol, no, it's ok.

I was going to send him a message, but he doesn't have his page set up for messages. And, I won't post something like that publicly. Maybe someone will read the message and say, hey, my friend preached that! Lol.

Actually, that's what I worry about - if someone sees his name on it, and then later sees MY name somewhere else, they might think I took it from HIM!

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Kill em!


Not sure what you can do now but a Trademark would help.

Federal Trademark without an attorney. Just answer a few simple questions and we'll take care of the rest.
http://www.legalzoom.com/sem/tradema...FQ8QagodQincjw

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

My understanding is that you don't have to do anything explicit to copyright your own work. It is automatic. No need to register it anywhere. It's good practice to include a copyright notice in your work, but even that isn't legally required. (That's my understanding, anyway.)

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

LOL!

Maybe I'll sign up as a member and say to him, Hey, my friend Bro. Phelps preached that once. I knew that message was too good for him to have penned himself!!


:ursofunny:ursofunny:ursofunny

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Nice ways to put this are;

- It is always proper to give attribution when using someone elses material
- Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

The reality is;

-Putting your name on a written manuscript or transcript from a sermon that is not yours is LYING and you need to repent!!!!!!!

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Ditto!

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Ok, so when I read this, I thought it was a sermon that had been preached.

MP if this is a print manuscript of your sermon notes, that he got, then changed the authorship to himself and offered it that way on the internet... and you can prove that, its plagerism and I just might call his hand.

Now if he preached your sermon and linked to his version, I likely wouldnt do anything.

while it isnt law, we certainly have a stong tradition against plagerism.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

does the name joe biden come to mind, it is plagerism in its purist form, must have been a good sermon mp, dt

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

It is printed.

I have the date I posted it on the other website, which was around 2002, and then there is the date he posted it on EA, which is like yesterday!

However, I'm not out for blood, mainly I was out for a sanity check.......I don't want to be carnal about this!

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

hey mp all normal people would feel the way you do, and the little twit that did that should come clean, dt

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I'd probably start a thread in the forum on EA, something similar to what you said here... It's just wrong for someone else to take credit.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

People need to be held accountable for dishonesty. I hope you contact him and ask him to either delete it or correctly attribute it.

It is a shame that any man calling himself a pastor or even a Christian would steal a sermon word for word like that and put their own name on it.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

well said cc1, i agree, dt

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Ok, that's it. I'm signing up and straightening things out!!!

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I haven't decided what to do just yet.

I probably wouldn't have been so disappointed if it hadn't been copied word for word from the other website, with no mention.

I have a friend who preaches some of my original messages, and posts them on his website, but at the bottom of each one he makes a statement that the message is original to his good friend, Mike Phelps, lol.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

If you still post or whatever on preachit I would contact them and let them know that someone is stealing from their website. And then I would contact EA and .ning about it.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

stand up for yourself mp, no one else is you, dt

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I believe when you join preachit.org(pay) you have permission to use the sermons. not sure exactly all the rules of the use. I do know it is a paid subcription for members.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I don't think Brother Phelps would have brought this up if that were the case.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Even if that were the case it doesn't give you the right to lie and claim they are your sermons when you didn't create them.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I a AGREE! I believe MP should have been given credited for the use of his sermon message.
Sorry if my post came across like I thought it was ok to not give credit to our brother. :(

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Maybe you inform EA.....this guy might be bad news for others.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Not at all I was just bored and pointing out the obvious.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I appreciate all of your responses.

Like I said, I needed a sounding board to make sure I wasn't being petty!

I will most likely send the brother an email, just making sure I compose it properly.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

MP repost post that Message here on AFF.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I think you had a right to be miffed. My first inclination is to think he had the same idea...but you said it was word for word. That's just plain dishonest of the preacher who posted it claiming ownership. The dishonesty makes me mad.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Why would you even think it was carnal to be angry that someone else, a preacher, took your stuff and used it for their own? I think the other guy is the carnal one. Someone here mentioned using sermons off websites etc. That's really not the same thing, IMO. You said it was word for word not just an idea broadened to fit the need.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

I'm sure if he is an ultra-con that he would claim that God gave him the exact same message... verbatim. :D However, this contradicts the ultra-con "theory" that when God talks to people via tongues and interpretation that it is filtered through their brain and comes out in the words that the person interpreting thinks God would talk like (insert Huge Eye Roll here).

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Bro. if the issue is you getting credit, then maybe you need to be careful of your motive. BUT I dont think that is the case at all.

if it was you would have been all out for blood and you werent.

For me the issue is honesty and integrity in ministry. this fellow certainly appears on the surface to have violated those principles.

Now it is possible, I suppose, that someone sent it to him and told him he could do what ever he liked with it, and he didnt even give it a second thought.

but it could be he knows it came from you and used it anyway.

I think finding out which of those 2 scenarios it is, is worth your effort.

Again, as far as I am concerned ( and I believe as far as you are as well) this isnt about you..... which is as it should be.

Re: What would you do in this case?
 

Sure use the sermon, but give credit where credit is due. Posting a sermon you have copied word for word and claiming it as your own is just disgusting! Christian ethics? Hello?