When no one bothers to enforce it. 

Recently Kristal Kraft wrote a terrific post on one way that agents can keep track of the content of their websites and blogs using Copyscape.  Lenn Harley has written multiple posts on her experience dealing with agents who steal her copyrighted maps.  There are multiple ways for the "little" guys, individual agents to keep track of violations of their copyrights that we can all use at little cost.

However who enforces the copyright violations of the big guys?  Who keeps watch on the lifting of verbiage and pictures from National, State and County websites?  Do the webmasters have a super version of Copyscape to help them find violators of their copyright or do they depend on the average citizen to report the violators to them?  Do they bother to enforce their copyright or do they just look the other way?  If they do enforce their copyright what is the punishment?

Active Rain has a community policy guide which clearly states that "Respect copyrights. Only upload content/images that you have the right to use (what you have paid for or own), and whose copyright rules allow for commercial use."  They also have a pop-up box that appears each time we get ready to post that a member of the AR community must check.

AR Copyright Notice


As a member of the Active Rain community do you report violations to either the Active Rain team or to the webmasters where the data and photos originally appeared?   Or do you let it go and move on figuring it isn't your problem?  Does it only matter if it is your data or images that they are stealing?  Any yes it is stealing.  Something most of us were taught was wrong when we were young.

Until someone steps up and nswers the question "When is A Copyright Violation Not a Violation?" the riddle will go unsolved. 

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13 Comments on When is a Copyright Violation Not a Violation?

OCT
21
2008

You can always tell when the market is slowing down, all the kids have to find other things to do with their time, like trying to whip up a lynch mob!

I wrote those words myself and anyone is free to copy them and use them as they please. 

Afterall, Dont any of them belong to me, I found them all in my spelling book when I was in elementary school!  I guess I would look kind of foolish trying to stop someone from using them.

Y'all have fun, I wish the market was better and everyone could find positive things to talk about!
9:43am • #1
1,527,899 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ed-I noticed that you had written a post before about people getting whipped up in a frenzy about stolen website content.  I appreciate that you don't see the seriousness of violation of US Copyright law.  That is the great thing about America, the ability to disagree. However for those of us who take it seriously, I have filed copyrights, it isn't an issue that is taken lightly. 

For the individuals and companies that have spent hours creating content, paying professional architects to create drawings or hired professional photographers to take pictures it is a big deal.  This is why some of us are passionate about.  A mistake can be overlooked but when the same person does it over and over again KNOWING that they are violating coyright laws then it is a different story.  As far as the market I'm doing just fine!

 
9:57am • #2
338,841 Points 52 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Cindy, if you notify the staff at AR they do not look the other way.  They handle it.  Flag a post, mark it "plagerism", give the link to the original work and they do take care of it.

(We have to help them out.  They can't possibly review every post here.)

I'm sure someone from AR would be happy to answer your question.
10:03am • #3
1,527,899 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kris-I did that with multiple posts and photos taken from other sites.  Nothing :-(
10:06am • #4
338,841 Points 52 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Cindy:  I don't know what to tell you...perhaps one of the guys will see this post and jump in. I've flagged a couple and they've always been removed or had that X at the bottom afterwards.  I'm sorry you didn't have the same experience.
10:10am • #5
144,343 Points 7 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Cindy, It's hard to enforce unless, like Lenn, you take the time to take legal action against the infringer.  Sometimes you have to ask yourself, "Is it worth it?" 

Kind of in the same vein, some folks/companies will copyright or trademark anything in order to get some kind of edge or advanatge.  Next time you look at a container of Activia(tm) yogurt with Bifidus Regularus(tm) from Dannon(tm)(r) that "Helps Naturally Regulate Your Digestive System(tm)" look at the words "Clinically Proven(tm)"

Why would anyone want to trademark the words "Clinically Proven(tm)" unless they wanted to prohibit anyone else from using those words without paying them a royalty...and how many products do you know (dozens, maybe?) that are "Clinically Proven" (without the (tm)).

Of course, it's probably the graphical representation they're trademarking and not the words themselves, we can only hope.
10:34am • #6

Cindy this is interesting.  Anyone who takes content from another website that clearly has a copyright logo on it could be in big trouble.  It gets confusing as to who should enforce the copyright violation.  If a community such as AR has a policy, which it looks like they do, I would think they would respond to any violations reported to them.  I'm not 100% sure but if they are aware of ongoing violations and do nothing they themselves may have some liability as well.
12:44pm • #7
1,527,899 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ken-I guess the question in my mind comes down to do we all turn our backs when we see it or do we stand up for a better professional community?  I've spent a good deal of time recently, because I filed for copyrights on my maps, reading copyright guidelines and trying to understand policy.  I think it comes down to using good judgement and being professional.  I've made mistakes in the past which I fully admit.  But once I was warned I spent the time reading the fine print on what the copyright symbol on someones work or website meant!
5:05pm • #8
1,527,899 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for stopping by.  This issue falls under the mystery of why does anyone feel the need to steal content or copy images?  There are so many other choices.  Do you need 200 points badly enough to copy whole sections of another website in order to create a post?  Can't you find an image to convey your message without stealing it from another site?  I guess someone could say I've gone a bee in my bonnet on this issue.
5:13pm • #9
824,214 Points 155 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I flagged this for a feature, along with my comment from the peanut gallery.

Cindy, I agree with you this is a serious matter, and I think it would help if more people would pursue a remedy the way Lenn Harley does.  It's unfortunate that some members still don't "get" it, but anyone who writes quality content will experience it at some point.  That's quite a wake-up call when it happens to you. 
5:35pm • #10
1,527,899 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Margaret-thank you for your comment and insight.  I know we all struggle at times to be original.  But there is a line that we shouldn't cross and that is one reason the US has such extensive copyright protection laws in place. 
6:07pm • #11
OCT
22
2008
623,614 Points 121 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Cindy ~ It is sad to hear that many people don't "get it."  One need not to have a registered copyright to be protected. We "own" the right to our words the minute they come out of our  mouths (er keyboard).

The hilarious part is how Google treats these offenders.  If you notice the original is usually the one that benefits by being indexed.  The thief however is ignored and not indexed.  So what does a thief gain? Inclusion in the "Wall of Fame."
7:01am • #12
1,527,899 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kristal-sometimes in a rush to be King of the Hill agents forget the basics.  Anyone with a computer and five minutes can figure out where the original data, photos and graphics come from.  Finding your own voice isn't easy but stealing someone elses can be expensive.
7:34am • #13

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Woodbridge, VA

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