Last week a blogger discovered her online article on the origins of apple pie in a regional print magazine called Cooks Source. She had not consented to this reprint and emailed the editor for a written apology and a $.10/word donation to the Columbia School of Journalism by way of penalty.

Here is Cooks Source editor Judith Griggs’ astonishing response, according to blogger Monica Gaudio:

Yes Monica, I have been doing this for 3 decades, having been an editor at The Voice, Housitonic Home and Connecticut Woman Magazine. I do know about copyright laws. It was “my bad” indeed, and, as the magazine is put together in long sessions, tired eyes and minds somethings [sic] forget to do these things.

But honestly Monica, the web is considered “public domain” and you should be happy we just didn’t “lift” your whole article and put someone else’s name on it! It happens a lot, clearly more than you are aware of, especially on college campuses, and the workplace. If you took offence and are unhappy, I am sorry, but you as a professional should know that the article we used written by you was in very bad need of editing, and is much better now than was originally. Now it will work well for your portfolio. For that reason, I have a bit of a difficult time with your requests for monetary gain, albeit for such a fine (and very wealthy!) institution. We put some time into rewrites, you should compensate me! I never charge young writers for advice or rewriting poorly written pieces, and have many who write for me… ALWAYS for free!

In actuality, The U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 8, grants Congress the power to...