More copyright complaints

Free Republic | April 8, 2004 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

As most of you are aware, we've recently received several copyright complaints. In the last few weeks, we've received complaints from the SJ Mercury News, Independent (UK), SF Chronicle and The Boston Globe. Just a couple days ago the Post-Gazette send a cease and desist notice and yesterday I heard from the Tribune-Review.

Tonight, I got a call from Amy and there were two more registered letters at our PO Box. The McClatchy News (Sacramento Bee) and USAToday are now added to the list of publications that have complained about copyright violations.

Well, folks, the handwriting is on the wall. The complaints are now coming in faster than I can respond to them. John is currently in the process of writing programs to search out and automatically excerpt all existing threads from these sources.

I think we're gonna have to go to excerpt and link for all news sources very soon unless we have written permission on file.

[KQQL]

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[Piranha]

I would think that most self-respecting writers (whether they write for the NY Times or a weblog) would love to have their articles quoted in full on Free Republic. It probably is the publishers and business offices who are taking issue with the cutting and pasting.

I don't blame them. I used to be a newspaper addict until the Wall Street Journal pointed me to Free Republic after the Space Shuttle disaster. Since then I have let all (but one) of my newspaper subscriptions lapse and I am on Free Republic for hours each day. You are the best, and you are the future of news assimilation.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

But, they'll kill the links, if they don't want it to exist anymore on the net.

Censoring history.

[Chad Fairbanks]

And maybe, just maybe, we will then help spur more original content here at FR. That would be cool...

[Alberta's Child]

I'm sure someone could write a script that will take any article and translate it into Pig Latin. Then, Freepers can post the un-translated version in subsequent posts.

I can just see the headlines on the day after the November election . . .

Ushbay Niay Ay Andslidelay!!

[Nita Nupress]

I really, really, really wish someone would pursue that idea. It would take some organization, but I think it could work.

Can you imagine the sleepless nights they would have? Just imagine a huge cadre of conservative sleuths out there tracking down every single "Dick Clarke-like" lie they tell and posting it for all the world to see! Surely there's enough Googler's here who could pay a few bucks a month for access to the most powerful search engine in the world, huh?

Gosh, just THINKING about how unsettled the DU'ers would be gives me goosebumps. LOL!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Run the article through an ebonics translator, then post the new text.

Hey Daughter - what yo' ass think a dat?

[Torie]

The legal walls are closing in. Only a seasoned site could really survive it. The site had time, and used it effectively, such that even if most articles are truncated, it does not matter much.

[jpsb]

What I don't understand is why does the bar have to pay? If anyone is in violation it is the band not the bar? Why don't the lawyers go after the band? Cause, the band dispears into the night but the bar can't so the blood suckers go after the bar even thou the bar didn't do a danm thing wrong.

[passionfruit]

I think that an automatic excerpt with a link to the paper would be a sensable way to go.

Then the buzzards will have to find something else to gripe about.

[GATOR NAVY]

I would be surprised if others are allowed to copy these articles.

That's what needs to be found out. If these news organizations are restricting everyone on the web, then you're right, it's a revenue matter to them and I can see their point.

On the other hand, if they're only coming after FR and other conservative sites, then it's a political attack.

[Reagan Man]

Original content requires intelligent thinking.

Something FreeRepublic has an abundance of and worth the effort.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I is fixin' t' miss yo' ass when when you get banned for trying it. That's what I think. LOL

[Indy Pendance]

"It can be done, assuming you have enough talented folks to pull it off. I think we do."

We have a ton of talented FReepers just itching to be part of a new and exciting branch of FR. This isn't the end, this is just the beginning. FR News service is right around the corner, with a staff of volunteer reporters. Heck, we have them now. The poster, AmericanInTokyo, is one that comes to mind. If we set up a special forum for 'frogs' (freeper blogs) and frarticles, this could be the start of something bigger and better for Free Republic! This is a definate win-lose. We win, liberals lose.

[nutmeg]

It smells like an organized campaign.

Yep, I'll bet it is.

[PA Engineer]

Jim If you need to raise more funds, I'm in. This sounds very planned and contrary to the fair use doctrine.

Pick a financially weak publication and release the lawyers to reaffirm the established legal principals.

I believe this has everything to do with campaign finance reform and the established media silencing all other voices. It stinks of conspiracy.

[ambrose]

Save yourself the grief and just go to auto-excerpt.

[Mo1]

Just buy more CDs............LOL.

I'm gonna have to get more organized for CD's .. I'm just getting my HD organized

[Indy Pendance]

I'm on a roll! Twice today, TWICE TODAY, my kids told me I WAS RIGHT!!!!!