When quoting an author, one should always credit the author. If the stolen piece is used for money or merit or glorification of the thief, the thief has broken the law. If the original author is not identifiable with credible research, then the author is 'Anonymous.' Many great pieces were written by "Anonymous." Some great pieces are now considered by law to be in the "public domain," but should still be credited to the author. Thin-skinned as I am, I would hate to see some wannabe posting my stupid stuff as his/her own creation. What a sham that would be. Too much stuff floating around these days, with such easy access, that makes one think "My, what a brilliant new talent!" Now, I'll try to mind my own business. Shutup Boob.
Paco

Paco, you are absolutely correct.  I for one am sorry that I posted a piece without citing the source (copied from email) and not doing a bit of research to find the author.  Your work is spectacular, and I would hate to think anyone to try to take credit for it for themselves.

I would love to see you compile your work into an e-book and sell it that way, I think you would be able to find yourself a pretty large readership.

I promise to be sure to do more to find the name of authors for any pieces I post in the future or at the very least cite them as anonymous and/or the source I came by them.

Thanks for the reminder :)

Cat

I like explaining that I'm paraphrasing quotes....which I try to do or at least state that the gem isn't all mine.

Charile   START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE  

fdharden wrote on Dec 28^th, 2008 at 2:24am:

When quoting an author, one should always credit the author. If the stolen piece is used for money or merit or glorification of the thief, the thief has broken the law. Too much stuff floating around these days, with such easy access, that makes one think "My, what a brilliant new talent!" Paco

HaHa..too bad you didn't make your return earlier in the year. You could have had a project ;-)

Oh well, a day late and a dollar short.
[old english Idiom]
Not to be confused with Imodium, which, if used properly, one wouldn't necessarily be a day "late" and at todays prices for things, would certainly be more than a dollar short, which sort of makes the old Idiom a bit passé. <sigh>

;-)
Bobw

Paco, I am also a writer. I think attribution is a good thing, but like anything, it can be taken too far.

[smiley=twocents.gif]

You post it on the web and don't protect it and it free game.

fdharden wrote on Dec 28^th, 2008 at 2:24am:

When quoting an author, one should always credit the author. If the stolen piece is used for money or merit or glorification of the thief, the thief has broken the law. If the original author is not identifiable with credible research, then the author is 'Anonymous.' Many great pieces were written by "Anonymous." Some great pieces are now considered by law to be in the "public domain," but should still be credited to the author. Thin-skinned as I am, I would hate to see some wannabe posting my stupid stuff as his/her own creation. What a sham that would be. Too much stuff floating around these days, with such easy access, that makes one think "My, what a brilliant new talent!" Now, I'll try to mind my own business. Shutup Boob. Paco

I think you are absolutely correct Paco, and its not too late for you to make this into a project.

In fact, I think you should go to the Funnies and Jokes Forum and give this lecture to everyone who has ever posted in there, because I have not yet seen anyone attributing the jokes they posted to the original author(s).

JFC people, it's a joke about testicles taken way too far!?! Hello, WTF???

If you are not smart enough to post it on a secure site, than it's going to get copied and pasted.

The joke was in the adult variety and no one made a F'n penny from it.

[smiley=twocents.gif]

BTW; here ya go, let the urban dictionary take the credit for my expletives…

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::)

Ok, here goes my opinion. Paco is right about stealing others work as their own. (I don't think jokes count as they've been handed down thru the years and are just changed up enough to suit new times and new ideas - most we've heard for generations).

One time in a creative writing class we were told that there are actually only about 5 true story lines - they're just changed up to reflect the author's take on them. Don't know if the prof was right or wrong, but it's a theory.

Since I do non-fiction writing, I've always given credit to my "sources" so I don't think I'm guilty of taking credit for someone else's work, but if I have been it's not been intentional. fictional writers, on the other hand, have more liberty to take liberties with "actual events" turning them into "fiction" (and yes, I've worked with fiction writers over the years).

I don't know what brought this subject up, but my writer's group is very quick to jump on anyone who tries this. You think Jonny's boot is BAD - you just ain't seen a bunch of "nerd" writers get angry... :-X

But make no mistake about it -- while I "love" to see people "enjoying" reading my stuff (and yes, I've been published) I damn sure don't want to see someone else's name on it.

Hugs BD

Now I'm really confused.  Barbara, did someone post something on this board and indicate that they had written that particular piece?  Unless, I post something and then claim that I wrote that particular piece, it's not stealing.

Ask any photographer about *stealing* photographs and they will tell you that if you don't want it used without your permission, don't put it on the 'net (or watermark the hell out of it).

I don't know what brought it up Carolyn (read Paco's post), but I just stated my opinion that I thought he was right and why.

I'm not really up on copyright laws, but "used to" once you put it on paper and put your name on it - it was "YOURS". That could have changed. Some of my stuff I paid the bucks and did the copyright stuff, but some of it I didn't bother (some that was published I didn't bother assuming that the laws that were in place at the time covered me... but... who knows).

Hugs BD

In this country, the copyright automatically exists upon creation of the work except for certain very limited circumstances when the author/artist is under a “work for hire” contract.

Registering your work with the copyright office gives you the ability to collect punitive damages for willful misuse of your work. While unregistered works are still “copyrighted”, you are limited to collecting compensation equal to fair use of the piece.  It is important to understand the required timing of registration vs. publication date - plus the definition of "published"

In my world, an example would include an image taken from the web and used for promotion and/or advertising. If registered immediately, I can collect several times the commercial usage rate. Otherwise I have to sue for the usage rate alone. An example for photos would be $1,500. usage plus another $7,500. in punitive damages.

If you have something that you feel has potential commercial value, the typical cost of copyright registration is $35-$45.  At this point I have roughly 250 images registered by doing an entire CD at a time. (You can do this if the work can reasonably considered a “body of work” that is related)

To date, I have collected on two of four infringements with a simple letter sent to the offending company - nobody likes litigation and the potential negative press. It may or may not be worth it for everything you produce.

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Is this really about a joke that was posted?

Being quoted or copied is pure flattery. Guess I'll have to be original whenever I speak or write.  :-XWhat a world. What a world. That was from The Wizard of Oz. Hope they dont sue me. :(
the bb

FramCire wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 1:24pm:

Is this really about a joke that was posted?

Well ... Yes, it is.

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Paco believes that when we post jokes here we should spend some time researching the original author(s) and pay tribute to them. Many of us here agree with him but I couldnt help but notice that no one posting in the Jokes and Funnies Forum has ever done that for as long as CH.com has existed. Maybe that should change ?

Years ago, original stuff I'd take to the post office and have certified and mailed to myself, an author's proof, a poor man's copyright.  The date is stamped all over each seal of the envelope.  It's not in any way foolproof, but also kept with each one is the entire notebook of the daily dated writing and creative thought process coming to the final work.  
 An accompanying 60 page notebook for a single written page I felt was reasonably secure if needed because nobody is that ridiculous, some notebooks have more than ten pages to create a single sentence.  Sometimes things flow more freely.   ::)

In my humble opinion, this is one of the stupidest damned arguments that I've seen in a very long time.  

Knock knock.

Who's there?

Argue.

Argue who?

Argue glad I didn't ring the doorbell for my ding dong joke?

Quote:

In my humble opinion, this is one of the stupidest damned arguments that I've seen in a very long time.

Can I get a big AMEN.
the bb

I don't know. There have been some mighty stupid ones on here. 8-)

Jimi wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 6:03pm:

I don't know. There have been some mighty stupid ones on here. 8-)

Add another AMEN to that statement, Jimi!! ;)

Now let us all join hands...

[smiley=bow.gif]
Amen again

Somebody pass the offering plate, I need a vacation...

Melissa wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 7:15pm:

Somebody pass the offering plate, I need a vacation...

Is that what that was...... I put my chicken bones on it.  Sorry.

"I have nothing further to add to this discussion because I am second in command over all of the fine citizens of the United States who I now rule over."

Joe Biden

Melissa wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 7:15pm:

Somebody pass the offering plate, I need a vacation...

Can I donate *mental* money?

deltadarlin wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 7:38pm:

Melissa wrote on Dec 29th, 2008 at 7:15pm: Somebody pass the offering plate, I need a vacation... Can I donate *mental* money?

Only if it comes with fries.

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the bb

FramCire wrote on Dec 29^th, 2008 at 7:29pm:

Melissa wrote on Dec 29th, 2008 at 7:15pm: Somebody pass the offering plate, I need a vacation... Is that what that was...... I put my chicken bones on it.  Sorry.

[smiley=spit.gif]

Anyone remember the story of the bloke who wanted to try out his Taser? Didn't want to use it on the cat so he Tasered himself instead and it's a dead set funny piece to read.

Good old Snopes knows about it from mid-2004 (author unknown) but I'm sure I read it here before then. Attribution where it's due, and it'd be a bottler if one of our very own is truly the guilty party.

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My ch.com search-engine doesn't work because my computer is steam-driven and I don't know which levers to pull, but I'll shout a beer for anyone who can track it down a bit further.

I didn't find anything on the story Brian, but this video caught my eye.

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The way this kid jumps, it’s a good thing he wasn’t a foot closer to the bench…

[smiley=confused.gif] [smiley=gocrazy.gif] [smiley=ohjez.gif] [smiley=shore.gif] [smiley=watchdrama8jm.gif]

My....... we like to have something to argue about around here!

Jeannie