In this age of computers, copiers, scanners, video and sound clips, and photo and file sharing, the rights of the author and/or copyright holder are challenged as never before. This was most recently brought to light with the distribution of unauthorized materials written by Stephenie Meyer. She basically stopped writing a novel because someone else posted materials they weren't authorized to share and wrecked it for the rest of us. (THANKS A LOT!)
Most libraries have notices near their copy machines warning patrons NOT to abuse the copyright law. Patrons are allowed to copy portions of materials for study use only, but not allowed to make copies if materials are going to be used for financial purposes. Students in library school are taught about the copyright law, as it is a tricky area and hard to police. As users, we may not even think about it when we paste pictures into blogs and e-mails or create multimedia videos to share on the 'Net. There have been lawsuits galore over the scope of copyright and the fair use concept. Companies, like Disney for example, are known to sue small businesses, like daycares, when they use Disney's trademarked images without authorization.
To help us understand the copyright law and the fair use concept, Eric Faden, a Bucknell professor, has produced an amazing video -- A Fair(y) Use Tale -- which cuts together thousands of extremely short clips from dozens of Disney cartoons, lifting individual words and short phrases to spell out an articulate, funny, and thoroughly educational lesson on how copyright works.
It's an entertaining AND informative 10-minute video. Check it out and keep this in mind the next time you make a copy or post that picture on your blog.
