Weblogs and copyright

**"Kathy Purdy" k*@gmail.com**

Kathy Jentz (a member of this list) states
here<http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2006/09/garden_writers_.html>that
in a question and answer session at the symposium, a panelist
expressed
the opinion that the content of a blog was " 'there for the taking' " and
"implied that if you don't have a copyright statement at the top of your
blog that it is fair game for any takers because it is on the web."

I don't know how many members of GWA share this attitude, or whether it
stems from arrogance or ignorance. But I thought I'd share what has been the
most useful information for me on this subject. Ironically, it is a blog
entry and 55 comments that result from that blog entry:
http://weblog.burningbird.net/2006/01/18/that-old-copyright-song/
What I came away with from reading it was that 1) the legal issues
surrounding web content copyrights are not completely settled 2) don't put
your full content in your syndication feed, only an excerpt 3) it is far
easier to defend your copyright in a court of law if you have the words All
rights reserved next to your copyright notice.

It is a very thoughtful discussion that arose from the creation of  a
reblogging operation called Top Ten Sources <http://www.toptensources.com/>.
The comments are essential to grasping the viewpoints and issues involved.
Some very knowledgable copyright lawyers participate in this discussion.

And while some writers re-publish their print content on their blogs, I have
had the opposite experience: I have used blog entries as the basis for work
submitted to a print magazine. You may read my blog for free, but I do own
the content and may earn money from it in the future.

Online publishing has many aspects to it, and neither writers nor lawyers
have explored it thoroughly. Here's hoping we all treat each other's work
with respect--no matter what medium it's published in.

Kathy
-- 
Kathy Purdy
Cold Climate Gardening: providing the information you need
to succeed in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 and colder.
http://www.coldclimategardening.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/coldclimategardening/
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