How much duplicate content counts as duplicate content to Google?

[ceecee]

Hi everyone!

I've had a look through some duplicate content posts and I can't see the answer to this query, so I thought I'd ask in case someone could help.

I've been looking at a website that competes with the site that I work on.  They have profile pages containing content that has been copied and pasted straight from the suppliers' websites.

Their pages have all their own code framing the content, which is diluting the concentration of duplicate copy.

How much duplicate content can a page have before it gets penalised or ignored by Google?

Any suggestions very gratefully received

[AJPro]

My guess is a couple of sentences (especially if it's the title or meta description).

Since it is so easy to find "borrowed" content, I would assume Google knows if the content is unique. Not having unique content is a common seo-mistake in ecommerce where many just reuse suppliers information.

[Branagan]

Check this Whiteboard Friday:
How Unique Does Content Need to Be to Perform Well in Search Engines?

I'm sure it will clear some doubts!

[ceecee]

Thanks guys - appreciate your time.