Some Thoughts on Copyright

[Stephen]

The copyright debate has been interesting, but clearly polarized. Most 
here are on the “fair use” side.

But what, really, is fair use?

On a mailing list I subscribe to, someone posted a link to a video on 
You tube. The video was made by someone who took slices of Star Trek 
video and put them in a sequence that went well with a Jefferson 
Airplane song, White Rabbit.

I posted that this was a violation of copyright, but the OP claimed it 
was “fair use” and posted a link to a definition of fair use.

I called them on it, quoting from the site they linked to. Fair use is 
limited to using small portions of a copyrighted work, for the purpose 
of a review and other specific uses.

When I was in university, 35 years ago, we were given a photocopy of a 
book. And not a text book.

Is that considered “fair use”?

Many people have the opinion that if they buy something, they have the 
right to use what they buy in any way that they please.

Now, I am a serious photographer. I hope to someday sell my photographs. 
Would a buyer of one of my photographs have the “right” to scan the 
photograph into digital form, and do some digital manipulation to it, 
then post it to a web site?

I have sold the photograph. I have retained copyright.

Does the buyer have the “right” to make a “backup” copy of the photograph?

Stephen

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