Plagiarism or inspiration? You decide

Plagiarism, definitely.

Now that you’ve brought the shame upon them, let the resentment go. Their silence will speak louder than a printed apology. Return to your honorable missions, and know that you are blessed and protected.

I am flattered when someone uses my art, ideas, words, songs etc. There is more where that came from. It is the highest from of, what? flattery? But I am not a professional writer, nor do I steal others ideas. Inspired maybe. I sometimes use google images/photos of people and objects for my cartoon work, to say get a building just right, or famous persons face etc. But I hand draw it from the image, never use someone else’s art work, I do not copy art work or use it in any way. It feels cheap to me, but that’s just me. But photos? Yes sometimes. But give credit where credit is due. Be respectful. And I for one would feel ashamed to use someone else’s hard work like they did without asking permission and giving them credit for their hard work, even money. Someone used a song I put online for a jingle, they wrote me and told me basically this should teach you. I was floored, and honored. It made me happy. No money. Oh well. Life goes on. We have to have thick skin as artists. I did a painting, put the image online, and got a threatening email from a person who had the one illustration copy written?? And I got mine from a book of illustrations from the 19th century, and I wrote them back telling them they can go someplace. What’s old is new again, and old medical illustrations, made for people to use, are fine to use. If I was you I would put your article with the date on a whole page, then theirs, and let the chips fall where they fall. I would be embarrassed to be them.