With a mouse and a few clicks, you can write the classics. Academic institutions have always been the primary disciplinarians where plagiarism is concerned. It makes sense because their goal is to promote original and creative thought. In the article, Offenbach likens plagiarism to kidnapping. Unfortunately, plagiarism is not considered a crime of great proportions to the thief, nor is it taken very seriously outside of academia.
Authors have no criminal recourse.
They can't report the theft to the local police department. They can only pursue the issue through the civil courts. The Internet has made it easier to plagiarize and get away with it. Teachers, college professors and editors fret that it has become difficult to spot literary theft. Cite your sources, giving credit to the author and publication.