A MESSAGE FROM MDE: COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT?
I was at a funeral today and during a break between events, I checked my voicemail. I had received a phone call from the Office of the General Manager for Domains by Proxy informing me I was facing a lawsuit for copyright infringement. I was told on the message that I needed to contact Domains by Proxy ASAP.
I returned the call and was told that a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics had contacted Domains by Proxy because I used a picture from their website. The representative from Domains by Proxy that I spoke with was very professional and helpful.
The picture I used showed a hat being passed at Mike Hatch's announcement speech for governor. Click here for post with the picture removed.
In my opinion, the representative from Domains by Proxy was surprised I had not been contacted directly by Inside Minnesota Politics regarding my use of their picture. If I had been contacted by a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics, I would have removed the picture from my blog without incident.
I informed the representative from Domains by Proxy that I was at a funeral, but that I would remove the picture tonight. According to the representative from Domains by Proxy, my removal of the picture would end the problem.
For the record, I did source the picture and provide a link to Inside Minnesota Politics.
But rather than contacting me directly to remove the picture, representatives from Inside Minnesota Politics decided to file a lawsuit. In my opinion, the goal of this legal action was to force Domains by Proxy to reveal my identity.
I am a fan of Inside Minnesota Politics, even though it is run by DFL activists.
In the future, if anyone has a concern about my use of a picture, don't waste your money hiring an attorney. Just send me an email and I will address your concerns in a timely and professional manner.
It would be mistake for anyone to think I am intimidated by threats of lawsuits. I removed the picture because it was from Inside Minnesota Politics, not because a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics tattled on me and I am scared.
Even as I type this post, I can't stop laughing about the fact a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics didn't contact me directlty about the picture.
Just relax kitten, it's going to be O.K.
I returned the call and was told that a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics had contacted Domains by Proxy because I used a picture from their website. The representative from Domains by Proxy that I spoke with was very professional and helpful.
The picture I used showed a hat being passed at Mike Hatch's announcement speech for governor. Click here for post with the picture removed.
In my opinion, the representative from Domains by Proxy was surprised I had not been contacted directly by Inside Minnesota Politics regarding my use of their picture. If I had been contacted by a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics, I would have removed the picture from my blog without incident.
I informed the representative from Domains by Proxy that I was at a funeral, but that I would remove the picture tonight. According to the representative from Domains by Proxy, my removal of the picture would end the problem.
For the record, I did source the picture and provide a link to Inside Minnesota Politics.
But rather than contacting me directly to remove the picture, representatives from Inside Minnesota Politics decided to file a lawsuit. In my opinion, the goal of this legal action was to force Domains by Proxy to reveal my identity.
I am a fan of Inside Minnesota Politics, even though it is run by DFL activists.
In the future, if anyone has a concern about my use of a picture, don't waste your money hiring an attorney. Just send me an email and I will address your concerns in a timely and professional manner.
It would be mistake for anyone to think I am intimidated by threats of lawsuits. I removed the picture because it was from Inside Minnesota Politics, not because a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics tattled on me and I am scared.
Even as I type this post, I can't stop laughing about the fact a representative from Inside Minnesota Politics didn't contact me directlty about the picture.
Just relax kitten, it's going to be O.K.
10 Comments:
It's amazing just afraid of you they are, MDE. They'll stop at nothing to try to neuter you.
Take it as a compliment of you good work.
Here's a thought. Why don't you simply get permission before using copyrighted material?
That is how it supposed to work. Take a look at the law books if you don't believe me.
By the way, your original comments were reckless and baseless, unless you had some actual knowlege that someone stuck of wad of money into those plastic top hats.
Most fundraisers have some sort of basket in which checks are placed. Instead of a basket they used top hats. I like it. Kind of cute.
You then take a copyrighted photo and place it on your website, so that you can smear someone without and proof. I think this sort of thing leaves a bad taste in everyones mouth.
I can't believe that you have the audacity to cry foul.
Wow, a blogger copied a photo and made fun of it. That never happens! It called satire or political commentary.
There used to be a time when people believed in free speech, even people on the left. Then the right found a voice and the left decided that free speech wasn't so cool.
There was no copyright listed and I sourced the material. Mr. McIntee, your agenda in this instance is clear.
You know Tracy, a page down, MDE and fellow Rightees were complaining about the image of Snoopy's doghouse on one of her fundraising letters. This letter was a parody that it came from a dog. Parody Schmarody. The Rightees talked about contacting the Charles Schultz estate to see if she got copyright permission for her parody letter that had a picture of Snoopy's doghouse.
So a few posts later, MDE is called for and you guys try to play it down.
Sad. Typical. Boring.
Be careful with the facts St. Paul DFLer, I never complained about the doghouse. I just posted the letter from Wetterling's dog.
My bad, MDE.
Upon further reveiw, it was not MDE but a couple of other posters of the Right-of-center persuasion.
I sure do get a lot of warning from you. Where's the love? For once, how about an attaboy? "Good job St Paul DFLer, too bad you're not on our team anymore!"
MDE, the fundamentals of copyright law appear to be beyond your understanding. One does not need to list a copyright in order to have one. For example, this post is copyrighted by default and owned by me. Obviously by posting this here I am giving you permission to publish it on your site, but if you were to write a book you could not use my entire post without my permission. The "fair use" doctrine would let you use some quotes. The fact that "no copyright was listed" is your excuse is a poor reflection on you.
Edwin: I am not a lawyer, nor do I pretend to be an expert on copyright law.
Thanks for the clarification.
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