4

About 8 months ago, somebody in our university that works for our library designed a logo for my lab. A few weeks ago, when I was searching in Internet for something, I suddenly found out that this logo is just a copy from somewhere else exactly. I mean there is no apparent difference between the one that is given to me and the one that is already on the internet. I'm not sure if it is a violation of academic integrity or not cause it's not a research project, but individual that gave that logo to me claimed that she designed it herself. I don't want to put her in trouble for something that might not be that important and also I don't want to go to so many meetings with university administration people to describe what happened or whatever cause it takes time and just might accomplish nothing at the end. I appreciate any help or idea here.

Update:

One question is that does using this picture actually from this website needs some sort of attribution or it is copyrighted? I can't find any information on that. Indeed the logo is just that graphic at the top of this page: https://www.clicdata.com/blog/the-few-the-proud-11-key-principles-of-effective-data-visualization/

Even I can't find any information about when this page is posted online to find out if it was after that she designed that logo for me or it is just a really rare coincidence.

Improve this question
  • 3
    Can you just speak to that person (and probably her team and boss) before? – user111388 Sep 24 '20 at 14:41
  • 3
    Start with her. But talk to this designing organisation before you "report" it to some authority. (I mean talk to her boss only if it is one of her duties to design logos and not if she did it in her free time) – user111388 Sep 24 '20 at 14:45
  • 2
    @AzorAhai--hehim It's her official job indeed that takes care of designing logos. – Alone Programmer Sep 24 '20 at 14:56
  • 1
    This is a workplace issue not an academia one. It sounds like the person is a staff member and not an academic researcher, so nothing about the way you should handle it is specific to academia - you should follow the norms for reporting dishonesty in any workplace. I suggest migrating the question to the workplace stack exchange. – Dan Romik Sep 24 '20 at 15:03
  • 1
    @DanRomik I'm not sure this would be on topic on Workplace, and I don't see it particularly off topic here. I'll first ask over there though. – Massimo Ortolano♦ Sep 24 '20 at 18:36
7

I'm not sure if it is a violation of academic integrity or not cause it's not a research project

It is a violation of academic integrity.

Even I can't find any information about when this page is posted online

The Internet Archive shows the image existed on that page 26 July 2018. Furthermore, it's advertised for sale: https://stock.adobe.com/au/189585864?as_campaign=TinEye&as_content=tineye_match&epi1=189585864&tduid=4956906e07434ca59f9d78b2979d22da&as_channel=affiliate&as_campclass=redirect&as_source=arvato

should I report it to the university?

If you have used the logo, perhaps on a website, you should report this to university counsel. They should figure out what to do to prevent litigation.

Of course it is possible the "graphic designer" purchased a license and then claimed the image was original work. But it is more likely they did not purchase a license.

In a university context, you should have no tolerance for plagiarism by staff.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.