Termination of the Employment Relationship of a Researcher Because of Plagiarism

This article explains the concept of plagiarism and the legal regulations which result from the effects of plagiarism by a researcher. Compliance with copyright is undoubtedly a fundamental and extremely important duty of academics. The provisions of the Act on the Polish Academy of Sciences, on research institutes and on higher education and science are discussed. Depending on the basis for establishing the employment relationship and the unit in which the researcher is employed, the legislator has defined various effects in a situation where plagiarism is committed. If a researcher plagiarises, he or she may be disciplined, and the employment relationship may then be terminated. The analysis of the provisions and the relevant judgments of the courts show that the legislator has not clearly regulated these issues, hence the critical remarks and de lege ferenda conclusions.