Dapper Laughs' website taken offline week after launching following allegations of plagiarism
A website launched by Dapper Laughs has been taken offline following allegations of plagiarism, according to reports.
The comedian – real name Daniel O’Reilly – launched DappsDaily.com, which was billed as a “place for Dapper Laughs to share things that will seriously help you get through the day”.
But one week after going live the site has been accused of lifting content word for word from viral sites with none of the pieces crediting the original sources.
A Guardian reporter questioned the controversial comedian – who is best known for releasing a single called Proper Moist and having his ITV2 show On The Pull axed – on why DappsDaily.com lifted articles from other websites.
O’Reilly replied: "@ladyhaja Hi! The site was using content sent in by people, we will have a look at it now and keep the content original. Thanks for the note."
He later added: "@ladyhaja it's offline so we can check the materials ok to use as you said, thanks for the heads up we'll get it sorted. Enjoy your day."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ladyhaja" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-22376-https://twitter.com/ladyhaja" data-vars-event-id="c23">@ladyhaja</a> it's offline so we can check the materials ok to use as you said, thanks for the heads up we'll get it sorted. Enjoy your day.— Dapper (@dapperlaughs) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dapperlaughs/status/612977414801608704" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-22376-https://twitter.com/dapperlaughs/status/612977414801608704" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 22, 2015</a>
Melissa Chapman, deputy editor of viralthread.com, rejected O’Reilly's claim that people send content in, tweeting: "I didn't send you in my piece to use. Covering the same stories is one thing but copy & paste is just lazy."
The article in question was one on Orange is the New Black star Ruby Rose titled: ‘Orange Is The New Black’ Hottie Ruby Rose Is “Turning” Straight Women Into Lesbians.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/dapperlaughs" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-22376-https://twitter.com/dapperlaughs" data-vars-event-id="c23">@dapperlaughs</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/ladyhaja" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-22376-https://twitter.com/ladyhaja" data-vars-event-id="c23">@ladyhaja</a> I didn't send you in my piece to use. Covering the same stories is one thing but copy & paste is just lazy.— Melissa Chapman (@MelissaJChapman) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MelissaJChapman/status/613037579366191104" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-22376-https://twitter.com/MelissaJChapman/status/613037579366191104" data-vars-event-id="c23">June 22, 2015</a>
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Speaking to The Guardian Chapman said: “I expect stories to cross over when it comes to online news content but to take a piece and post it word for word and (I assume) make money from it seems very wrong to me.
“I especially don’t like the fact that Dapper has put his name to my words since I’d never want to associate myself with his quite shocking views, especially towards women.
“I can confirm I didn’t give Dapper any permission to use viral thread content, nor would I have done if he’d of asked. I wasn’t aware his website had used it until I read your piece.”
Daniel O’Reilly has been contacted for a comment.
