Letter to the editor: Theft of an idea

Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the column published on November 16, 2011 by Rodrigo Carbonel titled “Requirements must be raised.” I am not sure if I need to be flattered that my ideas and suggestions on the same issue has been taken by Rodrigo either knowingly or unknowingly and has been republished. In any case, I need a clarification and due credit where deserved.

I have two concerns regarding this column. Firstly, if Rodrigo has read my letter to the editor dated 24 October 2011, which was written as a response to a similar Editorial Column on ASO requirements, he would have considered giving me credit in some form in this column that he has published on November 16, 2011. Anyone who reads my response to the previous editorial can understand that the ideas were mine.

Secondly, if Rodrigo has not read my response, then it does reflect poorly on his initiative to keep abreast with the publishing at ROUNDUP. Either way, this error needs to be corrected. Simply changing the sentence structures and adding a couple of new phrases do not make Rodrigo the owner of the idea. If at all he wanted to pursue his suggestions based on my ideas and opinion, he should have at least acknowledged my contribution.

I understand that Rodrigo has suggested specific changes that could be implemented in order to bring forth improvement in the ASO but the fact remains that the body of idea for the specifics were still generated by me. In a professional world, this might be considered plagiarizing.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sylvia Dsouza