>It is not unusual for several different scientists, or teams of scientists, >to be working on the same theory at the same time. The one that puplishes >first, gets the credit, even if thier research is based upon another >persons >initial research. Remember- one source is called plagiarism, several >sources >is called research. I hate to be a pain in the butt... okay actually I love to be one, but that's beside the point... but last time I looked one source without citing its creator is plagiarism, two sources without citing their inventors is plagiarism, twenty-sources without citing their originators is plagiarism... and basing one's research off of anothers data that is created at the same time as the research you are working on, and especially the information of who you are in direct competition with, without giving them their due, is usually industrial espionage... Focusing simply on plagiarism, it's not like you could take SKZB's works or ideas, mix a little Grisham in there and steal a little old Orwell and create a book that is not original and/or unique... Emmm, (I am thinking a fantastic, lawyerly, political, space opera? With talking animals of course...). Beside it's lack of ethical standards, you'd probably get sued for plagiarism as well as a multitude of other things... :) Of course, before anyone comments on this analogy, inspiration without plagiarism and/or stealing, wherein one creates something totally unique is usually another thing. *ducks before anyone throws something at me* Okay, I'll go back into my cave to hide awhile now... ~Holly _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963