CompuServe Messages

Here is a little some thing I found in The graphsupp fourm. I feel this is such a good topic. There's too much grey in the copyright on digital art. My suggesation is create every thing you self. This I what I do. The thought 3 strikes you out Law it isn't worth going too jail for life. This has a chilling effect. Imagine going to jail for copyright infringment on software. Many people are using SDP's software which have not paid for, using hacking software. Do you think it's worth getting busted for using my software which has not been paid for? People don't undestand I know exactly what my textures look like in protected mode and unlocked. We all have to remember it's a Federal Offence. Mike White [SDP] <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< C PYRIGHT "CAN'TS" By Andy Rathbone [75300,1565] As seen in CompuServe Magazine, April 1994 (Page 14) Reprinted with permission of the author and CM Although copyright law is complicated, it boils down to two main rules: First, you can't upload anything that you don't own. Second, you can't download copyrighted images and try to make money from them. Before uploading a graphic or image, members must have permission from the person or company responsible for creating that image. Or, if the character is licensed – Mickey Mouse, for example – the uploader must have permission from the agency responsible for licensing. This precludes the uploading of images scanned from magazines, newspapers, books, calendars and such sources. Copyrighted images may be downloaded only for the user's personal use. They cannot be sold. A member can download a copyrighted image to use as Windows wallpaper, for example, but can't sell that image for a friend to use as wallaper. Alteration and redistribution of the image is not allowed unless the owner grants permission. The Computer Age has placed copyright law into an ever-changing gray area. For the latest advise, head for Section 17, "Copyright and More," of the Graphics Support Forum (GO GRAPHSUP). There, a workgroup discusses the latest copyright legalities and issues. Carl Blessing, an artist who has uploaded more than 100 drawings to various forums, doesn't worry that his drawings will be used by others for commercial gain. "But if you have serious concerns that someone will steal a graphic you created and use it without compensation or attribution, then don't upload it," he says. –AR