Many people think that plagiarism is copying someone else's work or excluding someone else's original ideas, but the truth is that Words like “copy” and “prohibit” can disguise the significance of the offense. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, “to plagiarize” means: To steal and pass on (the ideas or words of others). Use (the production of others) without crediting the source. Commit literary theft. Present as new and original, an idea or product derived from an existing source. Under US law, the expression of original ideas is considered intellectual property and is protected by copyright laws, just like original inventions. Almost all forms of expression are protected by copyright as long as they are recorded in some way (such as a book or computer file). The following are all considered plagiarism: Making someone else's work as your own. Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit....