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I am writing a paper which will eventually include several of (my own) computer-generated illustrations. However, I have found a similarly-styled image in another paper (not mine) which clearly and attractively explains a preliminary point that I am trying to make.

Is it appropriate to use this image (with credit, of course) as an inset in my own paper? I am genuinely not sure. I have heard of people who avoid this practice so much that they will reproduce almost exactly the same image on their own, but I am not sure if this is strictly necessary.

MathIsArt
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  • Can you refer readers to the figure in the other paper, instead of including it in yours, without degrading the point you are making? – kjacks21 Apr 12 '20 at 18:18
  • Yes, I can refer to it. That is probably the best way -- thanks for the suggestion. Also, yes, that topic helps, thank you for bringing it to my attention. – MathIsArt Apr 12 '20 at 18:34

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You are writing a paper for publication: No

You are writing a paper for a class: Yes (If you cite appropriately)

  • Please explain what is wrong with using the other author's image properly referenced. – JeremyC Apr 13 '20 at 21:47
  • @JeremyC In a fistfight between copyright and 'proper reference' copyright wins every time. I'd also assume as a reviewer or reader that if you're too lazy to do your own images the rest of your work is lazy too. –  Apr 13 '20 at 22:03
  • I understand the point about copyright. What I meant by properly referenced included permission from the copyright holder. What would then be the point in trying to reproduce those images? Obviously, to understand the original author's work one would have sought to reproduce them but that does not necessarily mean that one's own reproductions should replace the originals - or does it? – JeremyC Apr 14 '20 at 21:26