What can i do with Articles?

Discussion in 'Legal Issues' started by TheSyndicate, Jan 21, 2006.

  1. #1
    What can i do with Articles?

    I have a question i actually want to use the articles i find not only post to get high PR. :)
    Now My questions is what can i actually do with them? It does not say in 80 % of them and do i have to write to every one and ask and have they really used a real address?
     
    TheSyndicate, Jan 21, 2006 IP
  2. Tim_Myth

    Tim_Myth Peon

    Messages:
    741
    Likes Received:
    52
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    Articles are copyrighted material (whether explicitly stated so or not), and that copyright belongs to the author. By US Copyright Law, you can read tyhat article, make a copy for personal use, quote portions of the article for criticisms, parody, reviews, etc. Other than that you can do little else. Technically, no portion of the article may be altered in anyway, and technically that article may not be reprinted on your site without you first obtaining reprint rights. But if an author submits the article to an article directory, that author is implicitly giving you reprint rights. Also, many authors will not object to you correcting a typo so long as it is obviously an unintentional mistake on their part and not slang or some colloqialism.

    The spirit of the law should be your guiding principle. If you would object to something you owned being used in the manner you intend to use their article, don't do it. If you would feel uncomfortable (assuming you have a conscience of course) explaining to the author why you did what you did, don't do it. If you are making large piles of cash from the article and giving nothing to the author, you may have done something wrong. If you are not giving the author the credit they expected (usually in the form of a clickable, spiderable link to their site), you are likely violating their copyright.

    There are more scenarios than this, this is not an exhuastive list of Author's Rights or Fair Use, and this should not be taken as strict legal advice. If you feel what you are about to do may get you sued, seek the advice of a lawyer.
     
    Tim_Myth, Jan 24, 2006 IP
    TheSyndicate likes this.
  3. TheSyndicate

    TheSyndicate Prominent Member

    Messages:
    5,410
    Likes Received:
    289
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    365
    #3
    Can i also reprint then in magazines or ebooks, books? Or is it just internet that counts?
     
    TheSyndicate, Jan 30, 2006 IP
  4. hammurabbi

    hammurabbi Peon

    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    2
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    I think copyright law applies to all media, online or offline. Unless the author explicitly states their work is public domain, you're treading on eggshells.
     
    hammurabbi, Jan 31, 2006 IP
  5. Tim_Myth

    Tim_Myth Peon

    Messages:
    741
    Likes Received:
    52
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    Read the terms of service for the site. Most will require you to send them a copy of the printed material. Another good choice would be to contact the author (their link should be at the bottom of the article). I think you will find that many authors will not object to having their article reprinted in paper.
     
    Tim_Myth, Jan 31, 2006 IP
  6. DSR

    DSR Member

    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    41
    #6
    So anythign taken from an article directory can be posted on yoru site with no problems?
     
    DSR, Jan 31, 2006 IP
  7. mad4

    mad4 Peon

    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    493
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    Normally yes. Check with the terms of the article directory first and keep all the links and references intact and you will be fine.
     
    mad4, Jan 31, 2006 IP
  8. TheSyndicate

    TheSyndicate Prominent Member

    Messages:
    5,410
    Likes Received:
    289
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    365
    #8
    So basic you have no rights at all you must write to the person in question otherwise you can be in trouble.
     
    TheSyndicate, Feb 8, 2006 IP
  9. Tim_Myth

    Tim_Myth Peon

    Messages:
    741
    Likes Received:
    52
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    Pretty much. In general you have no right to do anything that might make money for you without the author gettng a cut. It's their work, so it is only fair.

    On the other hand, if they've published the article to an article directory, they have essentially given you the reprint rights assuming you leave the links to their site intact, spiderable, and active. In essence they are saying that they will accept a one-way inbound link as payment instead of money. Reprinting in a book or magazine (or other physical object) will usually require you to send the author a free copy of the publication. In this case they get a free book instead of a monetary payment.

    Reprinting is not the same as re-editing though. If you want to edit their article to make it unique content, you should contact them first. Some may allow it, some may not. Even if they do allow it, they will probably require you to send them a copy before they approve it.
     
    Tim_Myth, Feb 8, 2006 IP
  10. TheException

    TheException Banned

    Messages:
    871
    Likes Received:
    27
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #10
    There are services out there offered where the business provides a database, or a small chunk of articles that give you full and master resale rights to do with as you please. You can rewrite them, take credit for them as the authour and much more. I've been offered this many times through different business and marketing ezines I subscribe to. Just remember, if you haven't been told beyound a shadow of a doubt that you ARE allowed to do this, you most certainly are not allowed.
     
    TheException, Feb 8, 2006 IP
  11. TheSyndicate

    TheSyndicate Prominent Member

    Messages:
    5,410
    Likes Received:
    289
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    365
    #11
    I seen that offer as well. Many people are selling of there collected database. But as you say are they people that wrote this thing aware of that he now selling them to another website? Or has he put that in the TERMS that he has now the right to do what ever he bloody please?
    Yes a link in a book can be pretty usless so i guess a Ebook would be ok then. I will do one soon and pick stuff from diffrent sites on the internet lets see what i find out i keep you all posted.
     
    TheSyndicate, Feb 14, 2006 IP