Newspapers
Dear Associated Press: Does this blog post break the law?
The Associated Press content charging machine is up and running.
To excerpt the words “financial terms were not disclosed” from an article about about Amazon buying Woot, the AP wants me (or any blogger) to pay US$17.50.
To me, this raises quite a few legal questions:
- Does that mean that I need to pay for this reference? (Disclosure: I did not pay US$17.50 to AP)
- What about “fair use”?
- Does one news organization now need to pay another for making reference to their scoop?
- Will AP charge for me making a link to their article? (If they do not charge for a link, how can I make reference to the article in a way that does not make me liable for being charged?)
They have made the charging aspect highly efficient, but raises many questions. (Perhaps it is clear to greater minds than me – please enlighten me!)
UPDATE: Hilariously, W00t has sent a bill to the AP for the quotes taken from the W00t blog.
(h/t to Danny Sullivan)
Popularity: 2% [?]
Discussion
Trackback URL for this post:
http://www.thomascrampton.com/newspapers/ap-copyright-licensing/trackback/
View Comments for “Dear Associated Press: Does this blog post break the law?”
Post a comment
Blogging with Friends:
Connect:
Click on a profile page!
Thomas Crampton was a correspondent for the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times for more than a decade, reporting from five continents, writing a column on Asia and covering Asian politics, economics and culture. Currently based in Hong Kong, he writes here about China, the Internet and New Media seen from Asia, while also advising companies on digital communication strategies. For more information click here...
Nice… Check this out. Same story but the other way around. http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/06/woot-ap/
very funny! I should charge the AP too, they have quoted my blog.
I thought commonly used words and phrases could not be copyrighted. “Financial terms were not disclosed” can be found in many, many documents. Actually, AP must have lifted it themselves.
“Here products xx, has fashion model, superior quality and service, cheap ugg boots price and updates quickly.I support strongly always! I want to buy XX, I hesitate to select which style more better.Hope your unique recommends.