Linda,

The key to understanding copyright infringement is, as you say,
"...personal use".  It is permissible to make a copy for personal use, just
as if you "time shift" (record) a television program to view at a later
date.  If you make multiple copies for distribution, resale, or for
playback in a public venue, then you are infringing on the copyright of
that program; even if you do not make a profit from the distribution.

Likewise, no one can stop you from using a Web site image for your personal
use, but if you post it on your own Web site without prior permission and
do not follow any caveats associated with the use of the image (such as
giving proper credit), then it falls into the realm of copyright
infringement.

Most Web sites have a very clear statement of copyright and should be
adhered to, to avoid later problems.

There is a slogan used by many in the creative film and photo industries
that states, "When it's created, it's copyrighted."  Loosely interpreted,
it means, make sure you know whose images you are using and get permission
to use it if it is not for personal use!  What is personal and "fair" use?
That is a much more complicated topic too long for this forum.

Here are a few links that explain copyright infringement in greater detail.

http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
http://www.chillingeffects.org/piracy/
http://www.cciw.com/content/plagiarism.html


Rich
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worldwideconchology.com
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Original Message:
-----------------
From: lindawbush [log in to unmask]
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2003 11:26:13 -0400
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Copyright  infringement


Hello Again, CONCH-L!

This is addressed to all members who have web sites with
copyrighted images on them.  I was told by someone who
works for a major retail company as a computer expert, and
who is also a shell collector -  that printing ONE copy of
an image for only one's personal use - is allowed.

Can someone give me a confirmation or denial of this?

Thanks,
Linda

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