Tag: Copyright

What a great way to shut us up.

On the right side of this article is a picture that has a copyrighted character used in a manner that is consistent with "fair use" as it neither conflicts with the original intent or marketing aspect of the creator, and that it is being used to characterize a particular political expression; my own.  It also does not represent any significant value to myself or the owner of this website.  It is generally recognized as an acceptable use in the eyes of the law under the framework of commentary, satire, or criticism.

But if the author asked us to remove it we would.

If the author had reason to believe our representation in this way harmed his ability to use his creation for self benefit, he might deem it necessary to ask us to either pay for the right to use it, render it unrecognizable, or remove it entirely.  We believe in the sanctity of copyright, and ownership, and private property. You know, the concept of "what one creates, he owns?"

Its one of those pesky rights that government often tries to usurp.

In fact, while holding up a banner as protectors of such material rights, there are agents of censorship at work attempting to limit our ability to express ourselves.  Blogs such as RightMichigan.com which have broken news stories, offered conservative (or liberal) opinions, and challenged preconceptions, are in danger of becoming the victims of a horribly applied copyright law.  Further, the extent to which we can be punished comes not as a simple command to remove violations by court order, but through another somewhat executive process that violates constitutional principles and directly with the 1st and the 6th amendments as well.

The use of copyright infringement is now threatening to be used as virtual duct tape tying our fingers, and wrapping our skulls to silence our voices in our opinions and political affairs.