When I go to a local diner, I love seeing people sitting at the counter reading The Gazette. I love it even more when I overhear them talking about one of our stories, especially one that I know the reporter worked really hard to get. Internet message boards and blogs have dramatically expanded those kinds of discussions. It's wonderful to see all sorts of people speaking up about local issues. We at The Gazette like our articles to generate public discussion anywhere: in diners, on private message boards or here on our own Web site. But please remember that our stories are protected by copyright and posting them in their entirety without our permission violates that copyright. Earlier this week, Justin Mason, one of our Schenectady reporters, referred me to a local message board where one of our stories had been posted in its entirety. I took a look and, indeed, there it was. And there were others, lots of others, from our news coverage of City Hall, local school systems and county governments, to the opinion pieces Art Clayman and Joe Slomka write. There were even reproductions of some of our photos. Posting our entire stories is not fair use of our copyrighted work. We don't object when sites summarize one of our stories and then provide a direct link to the actual story on our Web site. That’s become a fairly standard way bloggers refer to published works. People who want to read the whole story are provided a quick and easy way to reach it. That sends readers to our Web site, which is important to us, but as well allows them to return to the original site. We are not a big corporation trying to stifle public comment; we are a small, family-owned newspaper trying to safeguard our intellectual property. Judy Patrick Managing editor
"Citations from a work which has been published in a legitimate way do not infringe upon the copyright if the citations are provided for criticism, review, educational, or scientific purposes and conform with the fair practices of the profession and are justified by the objective pursued. The citations must mention the source and the name of the author."
Gee, Justin has been covering Rotterdam for some time now. I'm sure he knew of the local message boards in the county. He must have just gotten an epiphany!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
"Intellectual property" at the People's Gazette? Funny. MT is right this is another way to limit criticism and stifle serious debate. The Gazette wants to turn back the clock to when they were the only game in town. Those days are thankfully gone forever. Cite the TU they regularly scoop and are not so thin skinned.
It's sad to see our local newspaper not able to adapt to the new age of internet media. Crying about copyright infringement instead of finding ways to adapt and overcome in this new business environment. No. It looks like they're going to subtly threaten copyright infringement lawsuits in a blog, written by the managing editor of the Gazette in a form which is commonly referred to as the "sh*t sandwich" technique. Starting off with a compliment, followed by the criticism/threat, finishing with a compliment. Mmmmmm delicious.
I guess I have trouble seeing the difference between a diner, office, hair salon, tavern, having 1,2 or 3 newspapers read by hundreds of customers throughout the day, and a forum or blog sharing the same newspaper, just in the comfort of ones home.
Next time I go to the local diner for breakfast, I will be sure to scream copyright infringement when somebody decides to pick up the diner's "community" paper. Hopefully discouraging them from ever picking up the Gazette again.
The Gazette should be happy that someone is reading their biased articles. They are obviously reading this forum and if they keep trying to intimidate the forum maybe we should all cancel our subscriptions to their paper.
If I get the paper it is usually on my way to work. Now it will be the TU or USA Today or maybe even the Post.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
I purchase the gazette online and I also enjoy the references on this site. When we have discussions on this site I will frequently refer back to an article we are discussing. It would be a pain in the neck to go back and forth. It would seem to me that once its public then anyone should be able to use it. I copied the REMS article from Sundays paper and used it tonight at my Board meeting. Is that copyright infringement?