Is Duplicate Content an Issue With RSS?

If I allow someone to syndicate my RSS feed, will I be at risk for a duplicate content penalty from the search engines?

Generally no, you will not be at risk. First off think of Reuters, or the Associated Press, they publish the stories and a number of media outlets pick the stories up, without incurring any duplicate content penalties from the search engines.

Additionally when an RSS feed's content is published it is usually wrapped in the publisher's original content. The feed is usually a small segment of the websites or web pages actual content. By allowing your feed to be syndicated you are increasing your audience, remember you control the actual feed's contents, so the distribution of your "message" is expanded when your RSS feed is syndicated.