Forum content vs. copyrights.

[get_nick]

Before I build my forum, I have a question regarding copyright laws. I see articles posted on forums all the time, but how much can really be posted?

For example, if there is an article about George Bush on msnbc, can the article be copied and pasted into a thread or will this cause issues?

Can we post the articles if we give credit to the site and author?

[Scoutie44]

I don't believe that there are any issues, as long as you do give credit to the source.

[adrianus]

In my forum I discourage those practice, and suggest the poster to just post the link and give his/her comment

[steven s]

I don't believe that there are any issues, as long as you do give credit to the source.

That is not necessarily true.
I can't copy a book, post it to my website just because I gave credit to the author.

I think one needs to look at what is fair use.
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyrigh...view/chapter9/

[steven s]

In my forum I discourage those practice, and suggest the poster to just post the link and give his/her comment

I generally take an excerpt of the text with a link to the original.

[Scoutie44]

That is not necessarily true.
I can't copy a book, post it to my website just because I gave credit to the author.

I think one needs to look at what is fair use.
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyrigh...view/chapter9/

True enough, but as long as the information isn't copyrighted and you have the original poster's/author's permission, there should be no issues.

[get_nick]

True enough, but as long as the information isn't copyrighted and you have the original poster's/author's permission, there should be no issues.

but it's impossible to get copyright permission from an AP article.

i just don't want members to copy and paste an article if it's illegal. i mean, nobody would profit from it, and it is sharing information but it could be bad in some manner.

[Scoutie44]

Then in that case, it's really up to the source. Certain websites allow people to redistribute the information, others don't. If you aren't 100% sure of whether or not you can repost the information/article, just ask the website owner for more information.

In your case, I would just post a link, but I could be wrong.

I'm not really big on the copy/paste thing, so I don't know all the rules that apply.

[get_nick]

well, from what i understand, links to add content to the forum. you have to actually submit the content. like everyone else, i would like a forum full of content, but i want it to be legit.

[steven s]

True enough, but as long as the information isn't copyrighted and you have the original poster's/author's permission, there should be no issues.

What is not copyrighted? Everything is copyrighted whether you have a (c) or not unless I suppose you give permission to release in the public domain.

but it's impossible to get copyright permission from an AP article.

Not impossible but highly doubtful.

Unless you have deep pockets, the most that would happen is a cease and desist letter. I work on the principal, it is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. I would suggest hiring an attorney familiar with copyright law rather than rely on what you read here. Clearly I know no more than anyone else contributing to this thread.

[Scoutie44]

I work on the principal, it is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.

In that case, you would suggest he just post it and see what happens?

If so, I would do that as well.

If not, I still would .

[steven s]

In that case, you would suggest he just post it and see what happens?

If so, I would do that as well.

If not, I still would .

No. That is what I would do.

[Cromulent]

You can always provide an e-mail in your footer that allows companies or individuals to bring copyright infringement to your attention and then you can just deal with it on a case by case basis rather than having to lay down specific rules for your members.

[Michael2]

I generally take an excerpt of the text with a link to the original.

That's what we do. First 2-3 paragraphs of a news story with a link to the rest. I'm surprised so many forums seem to allow full articles to be posted.

[Magick]

don't sweat it too much. if youre worried about (c) violations, make sure you have a strong set of rules on the board and enforce them. if you think users will be posting alot of potential (c) info. make sure you post a notice on the board to any (c) holders that you can easily be contacted to remove (c) info. upon proof of ownership.

good luck!