Fair Use - RE: Some Thoughts on Copyright

[Mike Sillers]

 Fair use is an important point but where is the point at which it becomes
theft? One of the main points is credit. Another is fair compensation. I
think we would agree if someone copies something to give away or accepts
something copies to avoid paying, that could be considered theft. On the
other hand, what if the purpose is education as might be argued in the case
of a text book where the purpose may be considered altruistic yet is still
attempting to get something for sale without paying for it. Then of course,
there is the case of someone copying something for their own personal
profit. I would not mind my work being copied provided I was credited and
the work was not created as a saleable item without my consent.

I am more concerned about powers given to corporate entities.

Some of you may find the following article interesting:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/arts/design/06prin.html?_r=2&ref=todayspap
%20er&oref=slogin&oref=slogin


Mike
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen
Sent: August 26, 2008 10:00 PM
To: TO Linux User Group
Subject: [TLUG]: Some Thoughts on Copyright

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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