Copyright violation issues

[Leila Raven]

Just recently I was taken to task by a webmaster from another site for 'stealing' material because I had made a mistake in unknowingly reproducing material in violation of copyright. Just so you are aware how easy it can be to make this mistake. I had misunderstood and reproduced the article with full credits back to author and site, along with links back and a 'promotional' paragraph - I'm always careful to give credit and support where possible of any sites, books, projects, etc, a person may have going when I share their work. However, as I discovered this morning, it can be easy, even when you have everyone's best interests in mind, to make a serious copyright error!

Obviously, never knowingly take information in violation of copyright, this goes without saying, it's clearly in our guidelines, and is just common sense. I know that no one here would do that and that our guidelines are clear.

I'm just posting a reminder, obviously a needed one for myself as well, that even if you think you're in the right in terms of reproducing materials, to take extra time and effort to ensure that you've been thorough in understanding a site's reproduction and copyright guidelines and that you're not in violation of these.

I know for myself, I'm eager to share quality information with I when I find it.

Since this site is completely not for profit, brings in no revenue, sells nothing, has no ads, etc, we do fall into some grey areas in terms of 'fair use' for distribution on a social network. I talk to different 'experts' and often I get different information/advice. I'm confident most of the material I post and the way that I post it would hold up in a court. However, it's -not- the legal repercussions I'm concerned with. Even if I'm confident the law would be with us. I don't want to reproduce and share peoples work if they don't want me to. Period. Whether I have a 'legal' right to it or not. They may be alright with it being on every other site in the world, but mine, but if they come to my site and say 'remove it'.. I'm going to respect that. 

I guess what I'm saying is even if you think legally you may have a right to material as well, that if the guidelines of that site or person are saying not to post it here.. don't. Being someone that believes all knowledge and wisdom should be freely available for all everywhere, my little humanitarian anarchist side hurts a bit for it.. but I think it's more important to honor the source.

So, please please do your best to carefully respect others wishes as to their materials.

That being said, do NOT be scared off from reproducing and sharing information that is out there. Just take a bit of time to make sure it's acceptable, write the source for clarification if you're in doubt, and if for some reason you make a mistake, we'll always 'correct' it, and remove the material immediately if we get a complaint, which should satisfy most people.

Live in Love
Leila Raven