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Subject:Permission on the Web From:scot <scot -at- HCI -dot- COM -dot- AU> Date:Thu, 11 Jan 1996 09:43:32 +1100
>Here's an interesting question to pose to you: many of us are somewhat aware
>of copyright and permission to use rules for hardcopy. But what about on the
>Web? If I find artwork or material at a site that I would like to use in my
>own
>material, do I have access to it? Does the "fair use" provision apply here?
> Is
>it legal to just borrow what I find on the Web? Any of you law-savvy types
>have
>an opinion or actual experience? And if you do find a site that is has the
>copyright sticker on it, what then applies? Am I able to use artwork (.gif
>images, etc.)
>and text or do I have tweak it a bit?
Just because it is on the Web or found on the Internet, doesn't mean its
void of copyright. No explicit notice in needed to make something copyright,
according to the Berne Convention (which the USA is a now signatory to),
copyright is something that is inalienably created when the original work is
created. The 'fair use' doctrine applies, but not universally (ie you
actually _have_ be be using it for something a court would interpret as
being 'fair use').
(Original portions of this message copyright 1996 HCI Consulting p/l. All
Rights Reserved)