Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Why Do People Steal Memes?

I've been noticing a trend. I see a meme floating around and then other people claim it as their own. I always thought the person who created the meme should get the credit. Am I mistaken?

For example, I saw this one originally posted at LurkAtHomeMom:





At least I'm almost positive it was posted there first. I know she's a popular blogger with a high social media following. Her stuff cracks me up.

But then I noticed that same meme being created by OTHER bloggers. And they put THEIR name on it as though they created it and I'm like:



I've noticed three other bloggers doing this with that very meme. I don't know if they're claiming this meme as their own or what, but I know they re-created it with a new font and color and had their name on it. I wanted to say something like, "Yeah, that was funny when Lurk At Home Mom did it," but then I was worried I'd come across snotty.

I mean. It was the EXACT same wording. They didn't even try to change it at all. All they did was change the box and font.

I sort of had something like this done, but it was partially my fault. You see, I shared this on my Facebook blog page:



But when I first shared it, I didn't have my info on it. This was one of my first memes and I didn't realize it was wise to do so. But then again, it doesn't seem to matter, as people will take your words and put it on another photo.  (See: Mary Poppins meme.)

Anyhow, someone put it on her page and didn't give me credit. She made it seem like SHE created it, so I said something. Politely. I said she could keep it on her page, but if she could please mention that I created it, I'd be appreciative. She just deleted it, but I never got an apology.

Here's the thing: changing the color of the box or changing the font of the original meme doesn't mean it's yours. The words belong to SOMEONE ELSE and were created by SOMEONE ELSE and you need to give them credit for it. I tend to lose respect for people who take other people's memes. I mean yeah, I totally get if you make a meme that sounds similar to another one out there and you genuinely didn't know. With millions of people online, it happens. At this point I've made several memes and I'll spot other memes out there that sound pretty much the same. No biggie.

But when you use the exact same words as someone else and put your name on it?




No. Don't do it. Be cool. Give credit when credit is due. Or share the original meme on your page if it has their info on it so your followers know it belongs to someone else.


Have you noticed meme stealing? Would you say something?

54 comments:

  1. I've seen this happen far too many times and it really is getting worse.

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  2. That's blatant plagiarism for sure! To be honest, for the most part, I have no idea who to credit on original memes, but I will never pass it off as mine. That's just wrong!

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    1. I am with you on that, if I know who to credit I do and most of the time I just try to share that way it's hopefully coming from the original source. I couldn't imagine trying to pull something off as your own.

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  3. Maybe they don't realize it's stealing, or maybe they do in which case it's really bad. I posted memes in the past that I found online, without knowing who created them, but I never put my name on it. It's a bit like when you've heard a joke and you share it with other people, nobody knows who invented the joke first.

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    1. In that case it's fine. I've done the same. I just don't claim that I came up with it is all :)

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  4. I'm cracking up over this post! Love it! <3 you have an amazing sense of humor!

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  5. That's rude. I've had my tweets stolen and posted on facebook, but nothing like a meme!

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  6. Yes! People have taken my memes, cut off my watermark and then put their own. Really people? Come on! Make your own! Now I put a watermark in the middle of the meme too. But still. People should be giving meme makers credit :)

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  7. I agree totally! I have caught people stealing some of my stuff and claiming it as theirs. It can be SO frustrating! I always give credit where credit is due!

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  8. Couldn't agree more, sorry this happened to you. Show what kind of bloggers they really are.

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  9. I leave all that alone. I enjoy them and laugh when I see a good one and maybe share bit other then that. I leave that world alone.

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  10. I didn't create any meme but I know how it feels like when somebody steal your creations since a lot of people use my photo and act like they own it =)) dont worry you are not alone in this :v. I guess there is nothing we can do but waiting for their polite =))This post is amazing by the way ^^ Love ya

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  11. I am so with you on this, I know a few friends who it has happened to and I just feel so bad for them, if I'm going to share something I always try and share from the original source.

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  12. That's right - Give Credit where credit is due. I usually post memes on my personal page and am just now getting in the habit of adding my name or my Twitter ID to them.

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  13. haha! The Dawson gif! Too good!
    As for meme stealing, it's disgusting. They always act awful about it. I mean.. just give credit. It's not that hard. I think it's so embarrassing for the stealer.

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  14. I know memes must come from somewhere but true that I had never though about it that way. When I share memes they usually have the watermark of the author on them

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  15. Oh what a jerk. There are so many asshats in this world and they all have WiFi. I really despise people who copy and don't give even the slightest acknowledgement to the original creator. Like people who go around passing off stuff they saw on Pinterest as their own....nice try, plagiarizer.

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  16. Interesting. I know a lot of people share things without giving it much thought in who the original creator is. As a blogger I have seen people share things that I know do not belong to the person claiming they do. Innocent people share this without realizing it. Memes are so funny and a huge hit right now so people are looking to capitalize on them.

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  17. That is so frustrating! Its like all things on the internet though - people steal photos, copy images, etc.

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  18. I couldn't agree with you more. I've actually found some of my photographs for sale in online galleries - by other people!

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  19. I had no idea this was something people did. I have never had this happen, but I can imagine how maddening it would be.

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  20. I've seen this happen a few times. I never know where stuff originated anymore because there's always ten versions.

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  21. I have definitely noticed meme stealing going on. I think the original person who made it should be given credit when it is reposted.

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  22. I haven't noticed it myself, but I've heard about it before. People obviously notice when others do this (you did) so why do they even bother doing it? It just makes them look dumb.

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  23. Creation is a process of thinking and hard work and I agreed person must get credit for his creativity otherwise its plagiarism. But its common practice and its difficult to know which one is original stuff.

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  24. Don't forget that using the photos in many memes is technically copyright violation in many cases. There are just so many problems with memes.

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  25. I've seen this happen so many times. I'm not as in tune with mimes, but I'm a food blogger and we're forever chasing people who have used one of our photos and not given credit. It's so hard to understand because it takes such little time to give a shout out. Also, with so many talented people .. why not pass on a little sharing love whenever you can? x

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  26. Seriously why would people do this? It always surprises me. Loved the memes. But it's upsetting

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  27. I've seen lots of memes and honestly didn't think about it. I think I agree that they should just share it from the page of the creator and not post is as if they made it.

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  28. Strange that bloggers are forgetting crediting the true owner of creative work. Its actually disheartening to see these instances. I even see images getting copied.

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  29. I don't post memes that much but I believe this happens a lot. I remember a woman that was used to be on my friend's list used my image into her business and she posted the photo like it was hers. She described the fruit shake that I made as her health drink by incorporating her business product into it for her to lose weight. I confronted her and she told me that whenever I put my pictures online, it is for everybody to use, I was disgusted by her action. Instead of apologizing she blocked me, huh.

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  30. I didnt notice there was a blogger meme stealing issue. Thats wrong and it sucks when people try to claim work as their own but people who do that eventually will get called out and their creative credibility will be questioned.

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  31. That's So Not cool! I have thought to create one with a funny vid of my girl but I just know someone will try to take it and turn it into there own thing and no thanks to that. Sorry yours was taken without apology!

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  32. I have never understood this. It is basically the same as taking an instagram photo from someone's page and pretending you took it. HATE IT.

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  33. Plagiarism is something that can't be prevented easily. Still, you can email the one who copied it and ask for a credit of the content.

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  34. Plagiarism is and always will be a problem. Sometimes it's an innocent mistake, and people don't understand copyright rules. Other times, as you've pointed out it's just flagrant.

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  35. People are clearly ignorant to the law. Just because it is on the internet doesn't mean you have permission to just use it.

    The least they could have done was given you credit. If you had really gone after her she would have been upset.

    Protecting your online property is so tough these days.

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  36. I love searching for memes on pinterest and sharing on social media. I will say if they have the original persons information I always tag them in the post. I feel it is like copy right laws?

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  37. That is so frustrating! Its like all things on the internet though - people steal photos, and they copy images, steal photos and pretending that they are. Such a frustating.

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  38. I don't know that I would say anything about the copied meme. If I did say something it would be to the person where I first saw the meme and ask them if they knew anything about it. And then I would let them know where else I saw it.

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  39. I actually wanted to say something to a page I follow when they constantly started stealing memes me quotes from other groups and making it seem like they came with it first. It's rude not to I think

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  40. [ Smiles ] I would make an educated guess by saying, "People steal memes because they are not copyrighted!"

    Now, from a moral perspective, I think it is a dishonest act."

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  41. It is so sad and its important to give credit. People should remember to acknowledge and not steal.

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  42. I haven't noticed this but memes and GIFS are not my thing. It is a shame though.

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  43. I got your point. But you can only have a case if all your memes are trademarked. But if not, then we cant control someone gets it.

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  44. I had no idea this was an the issue. I just read memes and move on to the next one. I had no idea people were stealing credit.

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  45. I love the topic atleast someone raised voice for this ! Give crediet atleast !

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  46. yes,I've seen the same too.It is nice that you wrote about it and could bring out the topic for discussion.As bloggers we always should give the credits to where it belongs.

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  47. That was not nice at all. Out of respect, we should give credit to the original creator, mention the name or at least add a link to their blog/website.

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  48. The first meme had me laughing b/c that was my mom growing up. She would always be nice then change immediately lol

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  49. i posted this meme on tumblr that got popular and now every stupid meme ig and meme facebook page is stealing it what makes it more annoying is that some of thses people get paid to do it im just like where is my cut

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