« Case exposes vulnerable underbelly of contempt laws | Main | Medaling with justice? »
Bloggers flout copyright
By Steven | February 20, 2008
I’m not a copyright Nazi. I think copyright laws could stand to be loosened. This is just an observation: some bloggers routinely breach other people’s copyright by posting large chunks of stories, columns and editorials. Where they exceed a reasonable extract for fair dealing purposes, these posts are infringing copies. But where they can be said to be posting “in the course of business”, it may even be a crime (see section 131 of the Copyright Act). Ironically, some of those bloggers are usually law-and-order table-thumpers. Occasionally, they’ll genuflect a little toward the copyright owner (“I hope they don’t mind…”). And I’m sure many copyright owners don’t mind. Others realise it’s not worth the candle to enforce their rights. Still, the point is that such copying is unlawful. That’s all.
Topics: Copyright, Internet issues | Comments Off on Bloggers flout copyright