... because it's sometimes so easy to infringe on copyrights.
I didn't want to publicize my blog more than what's necessary. But something happened and I need your folks help.
I've written two articles on the UK Digital Bill recently. UK, Lords I salute you and a followup article with user comments. Today I received a comment where I'm accused of being an hypocrite for using copyrighted material. Now, I'm perfectly comfortable with my usage of all images on the blog. As I replied to that reader, who was gracious enough to supply me his email address, all material falls under the following uses:
- Copyrighted with permission (the singing tree main blog image)
- Royalty-Free (e.g. the 'CRIME' keyboard image)
- Fair Use (e.g. the pirate graph)
- Public Domain (many of the paintings)
- My own work (e.g. the feedback logo)
However, after replying to this reader, something started to nag me. I'm having doubts about my use of the Norman Rockwell "No Swimming" Painting under the Fair Use clause. Of all places, right on the UK Lords, I salute you article. Oh, the irony!
The image quality has been degraded, it has been cropped and it's current size makes it impossible to use it in any meaningful way that may hurt the author or its representatives possible commercial interests. However, because the image is being used as a parody and it isn't exactly in context (neither I make an explicit effort to display the fact it is just a parody), I'm not sure I'm making proper use of a still copyrighted material.
I'd like your opinion. Forget for a moment you are not lawyer. Just give me your opinion.
Note: I know, in case of doubt, don't use it. But I think I'm probably being paranoid or pedantic and I really like that image there. So why I'd like to hear your opinions first.