Wednesday, January 18, 2012

In keeping with today's broo-ha-ha....

Still from the 1941 film: Topper Returns

Read about the much disputed piracy legislation at this link. If you haven't already.

Real intellectual property should be protected, of course. But not at the expense of film, book and art bloggers. In general, we're a harmless bunch. If I'm using photos (and a link) to generate interest in your film or artwork or book - isn't that a bonus for you?

(All very self-serving, I know.)

But, I'm curious - if someone just scans an old master painting, say, how does that make it their intellectual property? Why should the person who merely scans the artwork or photo or whatnot get a credit line?

This sort of thing reminds me of the old nursery rhyme:

 'There was an old lady who swallowed a fly...'

17 comments:

  1. Yvette I enjoyed LOST IN A GOOD BOOK Davo

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  2. They shouldn't. They own an image of the artwork not the work of art itself. I have the same issue with people who post photos of old book covers on Flickr and "copyright" it or place watermarks on the images of book jackets on websites to prevent you from copying it. Petty and small minded.

    This legislature is really concerned with songs and movies -- as it always is when it comes to the internet. It's all the work of entertainment industry lobbyists. I forgot how they tried to stop the VHS videotape market back in the late 1970s and into the 1980s until I watched a video about this legislation. Their efforts failed then and I think they will fail again.

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  3. Yvette, I totally agree. I signed every anti-SOPA/PIPA petition I could get my hands on. If my representatives weren't afraid to answer my phone calls, I would even talk to them about it.

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  4. Great, Dave. I'm glad you enjoyed it. IT's one of my favorites.

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  5. John, I hope they fail again. The problem with these bills always is that they sneak fine print in with the bigger stuff and before you know it, it's all over.

    My agent tells me that even if people pick up an image from a blog or website or whatnot, you still can't get a really good print. I don't know, that's what she says.

    But anyway, just scanning something (not your own artwork) gives you no right to ownership. We're in agreement.

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  6. Lauren: I think all reasonable people are in agreement over this.

    Now if only politicians could be persuaded to be reasonable....

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  7. I don't think it's about protecting content, that is only the excuse for some people to become gatekeepers and start charging more for internet service. Some people wish they were making a lot more money off the internet, and they will get their way if they can get the laws changed.

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  8. Gosh! Don't get me going on these politicians. They are people that can't make it in the real world. Lazy and undecided usually,walking the yellow line, Middle of the road people. Puppets.

    IT is cold in Maine, there are so many here with little heat. Now trouble in the middle East AGAIN
    yvonne

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  9. You put it well, Yvette. SOPA is such an un-American idea, it's hard to believe we've come this far with govt. intervention. I have a friend from Canada who was worried it would impact her ability to share with bloggers from the U.S.! Shameful!

    Hey, I'm back! I got my new computer equipment and I'm in hog heaven!

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  10. ellenclaire: You've hit the nail on the head: money. It's always about money.

    Eventually I suppose, things will change, but hopefully not at the moment. :)

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  11. I hear you, Yvonne. 'Politician' has really turned into a dirty word. But I have a feeling it's always been that way.

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  12. Hi Becky, so glad you're back. I'm happy to hear that you've gotten yourself set up with new equipment. Hooray! Becky's BACK!!!

    I'm worried that I'll be forbidden from showing all the artwork and movie stuff I enjoy sharing.

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  13. That is a big worry for all of us, Yvette. I know the powers that be will say "Oh, we won't bother small blogs" -- but the point is that they COULD any time they wanted. It worries me too!

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  14. I'm with you, Becky. 'Small blogs won't be bothered.' Famous last words. :)

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  15. First, welcome back, Becky -- we've missed you, dear friend! Glad you've got a decent computer again!

    Second, Yvette and company, I think the problem with SOPA and PIPA is that the bills in question are both too vague and too broadly-worded. These politicians need an editor! It's enough to make bloggers and creators go Stone-Age and ditch their blogs and carve our work on tablets instead, or go back to mimeographing zines! :-) Seriously, though, Congress really needs to be more specific about what's acceptable and what isn't, and draft a bill that'll work well enough for everyone to understand.

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  16. Purposely vague, I'm thinking. This way they can zig zag to their hearts' content. :)

    Stone tablets. HA!

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