Dear everyone,
what should be the most advisable pattern of actions in case I have detected one of my results (an image) was used without my permission by the researchers from my previous University? They published it without acknowledging or mentioning me and, moreover, they did not know about the sample preparation protocol I used, resulting their interpretation being completely wrong and misleading. They have cut a part from the original image and photoshopped a fake info bar to make it look like the two images (mine and their) were both measured with the same instrument and conditions.
I have contacted the journal referring to their own publishing policy and providing unambigious proofs of my authorship over this image - however, the journal, knowing all the details and acknowledging that the image does belong to me, did not seem to be invested in scientific part and immediately redirected details of my inquiry to those authors and offered to "maybe, acknowledge me". These authors have already plagiarised my manuscript before and I successfully returned it and got my name in it - but all of that was with the help of editorial board, whilst in this case the editorial board is rather attacking me.
A question: what to do if the journal is protecting plagiarism?
Thank you!
It is important to protect your rights and ensure that your work is properly acknowledged and attributed. Here are some steps you could consider taking:
Contact the authors directly: Try reaching out to the authors of the paper in question and explain the situation to them. Provide clear evidence of your authorship and ownership of the image, and explain why it is important for your work to be properly acknowledged. It is possible that they were not aware of the issue and may be receptive to correcting it.
Contact the journal: If the authors are unresponsive or uncooperative, you may want to escalate the issue to the journal's editorial board. Provide clear evidence of your authorship and ownership of the image, as well as any evidence of plagiarism or academic misconduct. The editorial board should take your concerns seriously and investigate the matter further.
Seek legal advice: If the journal and the authors are not cooperative and you believe that your rights have been violated, you may want to consider seeking legal advice from a qualified attorney. They can provide guidance on your legal rights and help you take appropriate action to protect your work.
It can be frustrating to deal with plagiarism and academic misconduct, but it is important to take proactive steps to protect your rights and ensure that your work is properly acknowledged and attributed. Best of luck with resolving the issue.
Discovering that your research results (an image) have been used without your permission by researchers from your previous university can be a concerning situation. Here are the recommended steps you can take to address the issue:
Remember that each situation may be unique, and the best course of action will depend on the specifics of your case. It's essential to handle the matter professionally and calmly, seeking resolution through appropriate channels.
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