A re-blog is limited permission to syndicate a post on the platform of the writer's choice. In this case, Active Rain allows the syndication to the main dashboard where one can send the work to (1) 5 groups, (2) team blogs and (3) the outside blog.
Re-blogs on ActiveRain can not go to Localism. If the work shows up anywhere other than where the original writer gives it limited permission to be (e.g. on AR) then it is a copyright violation because no one can cut and paste another members work. A re-blog is not permission to cut and paste.
A re-blog is not permission to swipe photographs, videos or artwork. One can not disassemble a post because one sees a re-blog button on the right hand corner. When a re-blog takes place there is an automatic embed back to the original writer's post generated by the software module making the syndication possible. It states where the info comes from (e.g. via Richard Weisser) at the very beginning of the post written by the author. "Site the source" is a very curious phrase for me to hear when one talks about a re-blog because the source is clearly indicated with the automatic, embedded link.
There have been a lot of interesting comments made in the Rain regarding re-blogs. I have no idea of they have a cap on AR. I have no idea if you can do too many or if doing a lot can affect the system. I have no idea if you can "abuse the AR re-blog button..."
What I do know is that you should be careful how you treat another writer's work regardless of your reasons for doing, or not doing a re-blog.
My fave site explaining some of the re-blog software platforms is here: http://www.reblog.org/
I'll leave you with two quotes from the site that I believe are relevant to this conversation:
(1) "What is a reBlog? A reBlog facilitates the process of filtering and republishing relevant content from many RSS feeds. reBloggers subscribe to their favorite feeds, preview the content, and select their favorite posts. These posts are automatically published through their favorite blogging software."
(2) "Why should you reBlog? reBlogs are useful to individuals who want to maintain a weblog but prefer curating content to writing original posts. They can also enable organizations to tap the contributions of their employees, members, and communities-at-large in order to easily redistribute relevant content."
When one decides to republish relevant Active Rain member content by selecting their favorite posts to redistribute to their blog readers, one has the responsibility to respect the host network and original author who granted permission and made it possible to showcase the original work.
Do not steal content from AR and think it is okay to migrate it to another website without the proper permissions being granted from the owner. You do not own the rights to a re-blogged work.
Make no mistake about that... Not your words, not your pictures, not yours to decide to take elsewhere off of this platform. Siting a source will not save you from committing a copyright violation. Siting a source will not absolve you from infringement damages. If I were you, I'd get your permissions in writing with specificity as to what the owner will and will not allow you to do. A person granting you one licensed right is not automatically granting you all rights to their post.
Blogging can be dangerous if you disrespect the host's platform rules and the federal rights of others... Be prepared to take responsibility for your actions in cyberspace. One can not hide behind one's computer from the law.
Carolyn...
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