<P> Although plagiarism in some contexts is considered theft or stealing, the concept does not exist in a legal sense, although the use of someone else's work in order to gain academic credit may meet some legal definitions of fraud . "Plagiarism" specifically is not mentioned in any current statute, either criminal or civil . Some cases may be treated as unfair competition or a violation of the doctrine of moral rights . The increased availability of copyrighted material due to the development of information technology has furthered the debate as to whether copyright offences are criminal . In short, people are asked to use the guideline, "if you did not write it yourself, you must give credit". </P> <P> Plagiarism is not the same as copyright infringement . While both terms may apply to a particular act, they are different concepts, and false claims of authorship generally constitute plagiarism regardless of whether the material is protected by copyright . Copyright infringement is a violation of the rights of a copyright holder, when material whose use is restricted by copyright is used without consent . Plagiarism, in contrast, is concerned with the unearned increment to the plagiarizing author's reputation, or the obtaining of academic credit, that is achieved through false claims of authorship . Thus, plagiarism is considered a moral offense against the plagiarist's audience (for example, a reader, listener, or teacher). </P> <P> Plagiarism is also considered a moral offense against anyone who has provided the plagiarist with a benefit in exchange for what is specifically supposed to be original content (for example, the plagiarist's publisher, employer, or teacher). In such cases, acts of plagiarism may sometimes also form part of a claim for breach of the plagiarist's contract, or, if done knowingly, for a civil wrong . </P> <P> Within academia, plagiarism by students, professors, or researchers is considered academic dishonesty or academic fraud, and offenders are subject to academic censure, up to and including expulsion . Some institutions use plagiarism detection software to uncover potential plagiarism and to deter students from plagiarizing . Some universities address the issue of academic integrity by providing students with thorough orientations, required writing courses, and clearly articulated honor codes . Indeed, there is a virtually uniform understanding among college students that plagiarism is wrong . Nevertheless, each year students are brought before their institutions' disciplinary boards on charges that they have misused sources in their schoolwork ." However, the practice of plagiarizing by use of sufficient word substitutions to elude detection software, known as rogeting, has rapidly evolved as students and unethical academics seek to stay ahead of detection software . </P>

A writer who steals ideas from others is called