bobc@killer.Dallas.TX.US (Bob Calbridge) (05/14/89)
This seems to be the most appropriate place to ask this. I've seen a number of GIF pictures lately of such things as centerfolds from Playboy and a few other men's magazines. I myself am planning on producing a number of files that would be derived from assorted publication and would like to know if it was necessary for the creators of the other files that are floating around to get permission to distribute these? Or are they depending on anonimity to avoid legal hassles? I realize that they are generally distributed without profit as a motive, but I don't think that that would hold any legal water. What's the scoop? Anyone? Bob -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- = I know it's petty.......... = - But I have to justify my salary! - =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
rosso@sco.COM (Ross Oliver) (05/15/89)
In article <8095@killer.Dallas.TX.US> bobc@killer.Dallas.TX.US (Bob Calbridge) writes: >I've seen a number of GIF pictures lately of such things as >centerfolds from Playboy and a few other men's magazines. I >myself am planning on producing a number of files that would >be derived from assorted publication and would like to know if >it was necessary for the creators of the other files that are >floating around to get permission to distribute these? Or are >they depending on anonimity to avoid legal hassles? I grabbed a random book off my bookshelf (The Photographer's Idea Book), which contains the following copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means -- graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems -- without the written permission of the copyright owners. This is one of the more comprehensive claims I have seen, but the inclusion of "electronic reproduction" phrases is becoming quite common. Under the law, a computer-digitized photograph would probably be classified as a reproduction rather than a derivative work. Therefore, distributing without permission a GIF image digitized from a book or magazine would infringe upon the copyright of the original publication. If you plan to do any high-visibility distribution, or distribute to a market that might conflict with the original publication, it would be good insurance to get permission. Ross Oliver Technical Support The Santa Cruz Operation Disclaimer: These are not the opinions of SCO, I have barely enough room for my own.