Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Copyright law protects original works, such as websites, books, music, paintings, photos and video.
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Copyright: Fair Use Limitations
Very often I find that people use pictures from newsites on their blogs and I do this off and on too… ofcourse I do give the credits and generally use a small photo. but is this legal? my site is totally non commerical.
I’m no expert and that’s for sure. There is a blog you may wish to locate http://copywrite.wordpress.com/
Technically I do believe that permission from the copyright holder is required. However, provided a credit is given and the smaller image linked back to the original image I doubt that there will be a problem. Also note that there a sources of free photos and other images on the web.
If the image is 150 pixels wide or smaller, it’s fair use (according to the courts at the moment, but that could change). Otherwise Google couldn’t have an image search. Keep them small if you’re worried, or give credit generously: I usually link the image to the original site, plus name and link as well.
{edited portion moved to off-topic forum}
Thanks. I do give credits but haven’t linked images so far. I guess thats the fair thing to do. Will do it from now on.
Thanks for the information. I have linked you for the benefit of my readers. I agree with Raincoaster above. I have had terrible experience in my blog disappearing and another person using my URL. It is a Blogger account.
Blogger returned me my blog with content but with a different URL. My bloglog’s response was they cannot do anything if that person tries to enter that blog there. All my community will be there with that blog.
What do you think if such a thing happened? What about the copyright?
My blog URL was http://bossyourboss.blogspot.com
And my new URL they returned to me is http://bossyourboss9.blogspot.com
What do you think?
What a horrible experience! I feel for you.
re: the questions:
Copyright is retained if the content is retained. Unless you trademarked the name bossyourboss, it’s unlikely that you’ve got a claim there, although you could discuss it with a lawyer or the police, as it would be identity theft. Quite possibly all it would take is an email or comment from a lawyer to Blogger, but you’d have to try it to find out.
Take solace in the fact that your readers will note the difference in writing styles and that thieves don’t breed loyalty. Can you get the emails of the people who commented on your old blog? Then you could email them and discuss the URL jacking and direct them to your new blog.
Thanks verymuch Raincoaster, I will try to contact people that left comments on my blog and tell them. At least that’s what Ive got to say.
[...] what is copyright [...]
hi time thief….this is about as good as i can figure out how to reach you. our blogs seem to have cross-pathed. i was getting a couple hundred more hits a day which had my puzzled, but i discovered they were clicking on a particular post. where to go from there?
i clicked on all links from my blogroll and when clicking on yours it took me to my login page…a bit disconcerting as i seldom log out. then i had to track you down and found you at stumbled upon, where, when i clicked on your blog, again i was directed to my login page.
i deleted you from my blogroll in the hopes this will help, however when i tried again from stumbleupon it took me to my login again.
most bizarre and i don’t know if wordpress has caused this glitch or whom. i keep forgetting to contact ’support’ during the day , perhaps you might remember or have some guesses to this stranage phenonenom.
take care and hope this finds you healthy and hale.
in spirit.
scout (harper valley) scout_vagabond@yahoo.ca
Timethief passed this blog on to me a few weeks ago, but I think I can set your mind at rest. It looks like it’s just Google grabbing ahold of any comments made. It’s not a big deal, it just means that you’re getting more widely known, that’s all. Stumble, for instance, won’t record WordPress changes. It’s a totally different system.
If you want to be completely private, those settings are generally available under PROFILE.
thanks raincoaster. it really has nothing to do with google…….timethief was on my blogroll but when clicked on went to my login page and had my username AND password there….one more click and anyone was right into my operations.
also when i click on stolen moments of island time from here it goes to my login. pretty bizarre.
That is very strange indeed. Contact staff using the Support button on your dashboard and they should fix it. Several people reported an issue like that maybe three weeks ago.
I think the username and password were there because you were doing it from your own computer, which is set to remember them, but that’s only speculation. When you click to a blog that’s now set to Private, it will bounce you to the main WordPress.com page, typically.
@harpervalley and raincoaster
Hi there,
My Stolen Moments blog at http://timethief.wordpress.com is no longer active. I shut it down months ago and changed the setting to private. If you wish to link to my new blog it’s http://islandtimethief.wordpress.com But do take note that it is neither a political nor environmental blog. It’s just for wordpress stuff.
I didn’t realise that an image smaller than 150 pixels was considered differently in the courts. That’s quite interesting, and I see now how Google images works with that.
Hi timethief,
I might be a little late, but saw your post regarding a gift that would get a guy’s laptop off his lap in his truck. Take a look at these: http://www.gifts.com/search/product?ideaID=6588&prodID=58521&keyword=prindle&sid=ATOMZ:prindle:NP
Available at gifts.com, of course
Anyway, I hope you found what you were looking for!
Best
Jeff
loooove the heading!
i think wordpress should use it too
it’s so nice to get a creative eyeful once in a while!
is it your work or did you pay someone to come up wit it?!
i can see why your the blogging head master!
will visit again to puroooose yr blog
i neeed all the help i can get!
cheers
I think TT designed it herself. This blog isn’t updated anymore, but she’s got a new site at http://onecoolsite.wordpress.com
This is somthing I have been looking for a long time. Thanks!!!
Usefull article, I think I will add a CopyLeft word to my blog =)
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