ConsumerAffairs.com Plagiarism?

[bobr1]

I have Google News set to alert me to news articles containing the word "Prius". As a result, I have become familiar with the web site ConsumerAffairs.com, published by a law firm. Their articles on the Prius, suffice it to say, have been less than flattering and arguably inaccurate.

But I was surprised today to see Consumer Affairs pop up under another Google News alert I have, "Portland Light Rail".

I clicked through to read today's article and portions of it seemed strangely familiar, as though I had just read a similar article moments before... Did the Consumer Affairs "author" copy/paste from a mainstream publication directly into their article, without attribution? You be the judge.

From: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006...s_prices70.html
(scroll down to the section about Oregon)

"Gasoline Prices Remain High, Oil Above $70 a Barrel"
"by Joe Benton"

Oregon: Gasoline prices are staying above the psychological barrier of $3 a gallon for regular across much of Oregon. Most of the gas used in Oregon is piped or trucked from refineries in Canada and Washington state.

Industry experts say one reason for high prices is that two of the largest refineries in western Canada were down for maintenance. One is back up and the other should be soon.

In the Portland area TriMet reported a 4.5 percent jump in ridership on the MAX light-rail system during the first three weeks in April, compared with all of April 2005, said spokeswoman Peggy LaPoint. No current figures are available for the bus system, LaPoint said.

Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General Hardy Myers announced the creation of a web site Thursday for motorists to report evidence that might suggest unlawful pricing practices.
[/b]

Now, compare to an article published 8 hours earlier in The Oregonian newspaper...

From: http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/region...orylist=orlocal
"A gallon of regular gas tops $3 in much of state"
"Associated Press"

Gasoline prices are staying above the psychological barrier of $3 a gallon for regular across much of Oregon and may--or may not--stay there for the near future, specialists say.
...
Most of the gas used in Oregon is piped or trucked from refineries in Canada and Washington state.

Industry experts say one reason for high prices is that two of the largest refineries in western Canada were down for maintenance. One is back up and the other should be soon.
...
In the Portland area TriMet reported a 4.5 percent jump in ridership on the MAX light-rail system during the first three weeks in April, compared with all of April 2005, said spokeswoman Peggy LaPoint. No current figures are available for the bus system, LaPoint said.
...
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General Hardy Myers announced the creation of a web site Thursday for motorists to report evidence that might suggest unlawful pricing practices.
[/b]

Now, this "Joe Benton" author is listed on multiple stories at Consumer Affairs. It is entirely possible that they subscribe to the AP and are authorized to excerpt from and rewrite AP wire stories, but normally in such cases the sources are mentioned. Consumer Affairs at the very least should disclose their sources out of ethical considerations toward their readership. At worst, if they do not have permission from the AP or the Oregonian, they may be violating copyright restrictions and engaging in what some might call "plagiarism".

Disclaimer: As the publication in question belongs to a law firm, I have been extra-cautious in my wording. I am not accusing them of anything, merely pointing out evidence which in my personal opinion I believe leads me to the impression that they are up to something. Don't sue me.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Originally Posted by bobr1

Disclaimer: As the publication in question belongs to a law firm, I have been extra-cautious in my wording. I am not accusing them of anything, merely pointing out evidence which in my personal opinion I believe leads me to the impression that they are up to something. Don't sue me.

OK, I will not mince words. This firm is not too subtly soliciting clients for (mostly) bogus class action law suits.

[bobr1]

Originally Posted by IsrAmeriPrius

OK, I will not mince words. This firm is not too subtly soliciting clients for (mostly) bogus class action law suits.

Oh, that much is not in dispute! :-)

I just get the impression there is a hint of a slight possibility that they might be plagiarists, too! :-)

- Bob R.

[Tempus]

I mentioned that earlier about one of Mr. Benton's 'articles' which was basically a reprint of a San Jose Mercury News one.

I'm sure, being lawyers, they know just how many words they have to change to make it not worth while suing them for copyright violations, but yeah, they absolutely steal articles. It just happens entirely too often to be coincidence.

[larkinmj]

Oh- this is the same Joe Benton who wrote "Prius Rage Gives Rise to Hybrid Haters"?

[James Hood]

ConsumerAffairs.com is not "owned by a law firm." It is owned by a privately-held publishing company. It is not written by lawyers. We spend a lot of money with lawyers, defending ourselves and the consumers whose comments we publish from libel and slander charges filed by companies who think only good news should be presented.

Joe Benton is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience at ABC News, Chronicle Broadcasting, Conus, TV Direct and other names you know. We do have one or two lawyers who contribute stories, just as we have a doctor, a handyman, an elderly person and others who write about their areas of expertise.

The stories we have published about Priuses point out real and documented problems that have plagued the Prius owners who write to us. It's not our job to be cheerleaders. We write about consumer problems of all kinds. It's fairly amazing to me that this is not evident to anyone who made it through the 8th grade.

Those who open their mouths in public should first learn whereof they speak.

James R. Hood
Editor In Chief
ConsumerAffairs.com
(Porsche owner, no Prius yet))

[TonyPSchaefer]

I thought for sure that was going to be a respectable counter-point to previous posts. Until, that is, it turned ugly there at the end.

Looks like we're not going to see any positive articles in the near future.

[Rae Vynn]

Originally Posted by James Hood

Joe Benton is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience at ABC News, Chronicle Broadcasting, Conus, TV Direct and other names you know. We do have one or two lawyers who contribute stories, just as we have a doctor, a handyman, an elderly person and others who write about their areas of expertise.

Excuse me while I go laugh my ass off....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!

Yup, reads like pagiarism to me, btw.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by James Hood

ConsumerAffairs.com is not "owned by a law firm." It is owned by a privately-held publishing company. It is not written by lawyers. We spend a lot of money with lawyers, defending ourselves and the consumers whose comments we publish from libel and slander charges filed by companies who think only good news should be presented.

Joe Benton is a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of experience at ABC News, Chronicle Broadcasting, Conus, TV Direct and other names you know. We do have one or two lawyers who contribute stories, just as we have a doctor, a handyman, an elderly person and others who write about their areas of expertise.

The stories we have published about Priuses point out real and documented problems that have plagued the Prius owners who write to us. It's not our job to be cheerleaders. We write about consumer problems of all kinds. It's fairly amazing to me that this is not evident to anyone who made it through the 8th grade.

Those who open their mouths in public should first learn whereof they speak.

James R. Hood
Editor In Chief
ConsumerAffairs.com
(Porsche owner, no Prius yet))

Plagiarism and trolling seem to go hand in hand....

Next time you decide to post you are better off explaining why Mr. Benton seems to have plagiarized the above mentioned article rather than arguing from a position of authority, making childish comments, and adding superfluous information in your title. I mean was it necessary to mention what kind of car you drive as if it was going to somehow impress us? Get over yourself already.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

Originally Posted by James Hood

ConsumerAffairs.com is not "owned by a law firm." It is owned by a privately-held publishing company. It is not written by lawyers. We spend a lot of money with lawyers, defending ourselves and the consumers whose comments we publish from libel and slander charges filed by companies who think only good news should be presented.

According to the FAQ page on your site, it is a tool used by lawyers to troll for class action law suits.

Are you hooked up with lawyers in some way?
Yes, lawyers read all of the complaints submitted to us by consumers. They then advise us, the editors, to help us figure out which complaints reflect illegal activity, which are just distasteful, etc. On occasion, the lawyers will find something that they believe could form the basis of a class action suit on behalf of consumers. They then research the issue and, now and then, file suit against the perpetrator. Since our founding, hundreds of class action suits have been filed on behalf of consumers. We are not a party to those actions and do not profit from them.