Plagiarism Definition

Lethem's definition of plagiarism and that of Rutgers' academic integrity policy both center on the improper usage of other's intellectual property, but draw distinctions on the involvement of the perpetrator's own interpretation. The integrity policy rules plagiarism as any usage of text or ideas without properly giving the owner credits. Lethem argues for the same act: the usage of text or ideas owned by some other parties. Yet, Lethem highlights the creativity necessitated by the "perpetrator" who pulls the text out of its own context and bestows it new meanings with his own interpretation. Lethem specifies his stance, arguing:" It becomes apparent that appropriation, mimicry, quotation, allusion, and sublimated collaboration consist of a kind of sine qua non of the creative act, cutting down all forms and genres in the realm of cultural production" (Lethem 214). Lethem values this particular type of plagiarism which generates new perception and media of an old concept. In this process, the creator puts in substantial effort to cooperate his own idea through collage of  predecessor's works. On the other hand, Rutgers integrity policy may overlook the distinction and consider all types of plagiarism are effortless and intentional theft of some other's idea. The distinction is important since although admittedly artists described by Lethem do exist and it's an oversimplification to call all plagiarism a theft, the university's policy works to prevent the pure copying of others' work in an attempt to avoid school work and the creative interpretation mentioned by Lethem.