Copy Cat

The issues involving copyright have always been some-what of a headache. The distinction between “fair use” and infringement is not always clear and easily defined which is usually when the arguments begin. One of the main rights as a copyright owner is the right to reproduce or authorize others to reproduce the work in copies or phone records. However, this right is subject to certain limitations such as the doctrine of “fair use” (U.S. Copyright Office 2009). Copyright in the form of “fair use” may be defined in one way for someone and in a completely different way for someone else. This has been the focus of many lawsuits in the past and will continue to be a problem in the future. For now, all we can do is better understand the proper use of copyrighted material, what the term “fair use” really means to us and try to avoid any problems.

Fair use, in the most general sense, is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose. This usually includes comments upon, criticize or parody of a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without the permission of the copyright owner. For instance, when you’re commenting on or criticizing a copyrighted work the fair use principles will allow you to reproduce some of the work to accomplish your purpose (NOLO 2007). For example, if you’re writing a review on a particular song, the fair use principles will allow you to copy some of the lines out of the song to use in your review. The general rule is if the public is benefiting from your “review” and using some the song lyrics (the copyrighted material) will enhance that review, then it’s ok.  It’s easy to use copyrighted material without permission and a lot of the time it’s not done purposefully. In this new technological era where the world wide web is accessed by practically everyone, it’s made publishers out of everyone. Transferring information from one website to another or linking websites is very easy to do, but constitutes as unauthorized copyrighting. As web users, we need to be careful. Before posting information (other than your known) onto a website, or linking a website with another, think again. It’s always good to assume that every website is protected under a copyright, so act accordingly because there is no specific rule to go by or specific number of lines or words that may be taken safely. Acknowledging the source of the copyrighted material does not substitute for obtaining permission.

Unfortunately, the clear definition of what is considered fair use and what is considered infringement is not clearly defined. The only way to get a clear and definitive answer on whether a particular use is “fair use” is to have is resolved in federal court. Since the definition of fair use is not clearly defined, judges can have a lot of freedom in determining a case, making every decision on a case-by-case basis. However, judges usually consider four main factors in their decision (NOLO 2007):

1.) The purpose and character of your use.

2.) The nature of the copyrighted work.

3.) The amount of substantiality of the portion taken

4.) The effect of the use on the potentional market.

One recent case of copyright infringement was a lawsuit involving guitarist Joe Satriani and British pop group Coldplay. Satriani filed a lawsuit against the members of Coldplay and Capitol Records alleging the band’s song “Viva La Vida” contained “substantial, original portions” of his 2004 track “If I Could Fly”. Coldplay denied these allegations the dispute was later settled out of court but this is just one of many examples that happens daily (Chicago Sun Times 2009).

Sources:

Chicago Sun Times (September 16, 2009). Coldplay settles plagiarism suit with guitarist Joe Satriani. Retrieved on September 16, 2009 from http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/1774020,w-coldplay-joe-satriani-091609.article

NOLO, Stanford University (2007).  Copyright and Fair Use Overview. Retrieved September 16, 2009 from http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/

U.S. Copyright Office. FL-102. Revised May, 2009. Retrieved September 16, 2009 from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

Online classes vs. the traditional

A typical “class” as a student in LTEC 3440 is random and spread-out for me. I have a very busy schedule throughout the week with other classes and working so I never really set aside a certain time for “class sessions” for this class. Instead, I usually get online whenever I get chance and complete as many assignments as I can with the time given to me. At the beginning of the week I always start out by checking blackboard to see what all is due for the week. After I get an idea of the amount of work that’s due for the week, I then get a couple of assignments, check my twitter account, and then usually complete (or at least start) one of my blog posts. There never really is a “class session” for me in this class. It’s more like about 30 minutes – an hour of work a day and making sure I’m up-to-date with any information or due-dates that may pop up.

I would say this class is very different than a traditional in-classroom course. Traditional classes are more limited and restricted to a certain amount of time per week. You just show up when you have to and try to get as much done in the time that’s given. It’s not as flexible as an online course where you can learn things or complete assignments in a more leisurely manner. The down side is, in traditional courses you’re more likely to stay on top of things. For an online course, you better be good at time management. There won’t be a teacher right in front you reminding you have assignments that are due at a certain time. If you’re independent and flexible, an online class will be good for you. But if you need constant confirmation that you’re doing something right, or constant reminders to do things then a traditional class would be better for you. I think they’re both good for me, but in very different ways.

Learning with style..

I always knew my mind was a bit on the complicated side but after taking several learning tests and surveys I realized just how random it actually is. I always seem to be right on the line of results so the results from the different surveys turned out really different from one another.. very inconsistent but that’s what I expected. I’ve never really fit one stereotype of thinking/learning. My thoughts jump around a lot, moving from one concept to another, without realizing how I got there. I can’t over-think things because, if I do, I’ll end up somewhere I did not intend..

The one result that tended to be on the extreme side of things (and was the only one I agreed with) is one that described me as an intuitive, “global” learner. Meaning that I see things in the big picture and am good at grasping new concepts. I couldn’t agree more. I’m likely to get impatient with details and repetition and am quick to get the bigger issue. I need to be able to see where I’m going or else I feel like I’m learning with no real purpose. Just give me the main problem and skip the boring details and spare me the side notes. I like the abstract, not concrete facts that I have memorize.

Everything else kind-of stayed in the middle. My results kept jumping back and forth from a visual vs. a verbal learner. I guess I can manage with either..? I was also on the line of being a reflective vs. active learner. On the Learning Style Survey I was classified as an Organizer since I prefer “Doing” and “Feeling”. This means I’m good at adapting to change; I solve problems in an intuitive, trial-and-error manner; and tends to be at ease with people. But it also said that I enjoy involvement with others, role-playing and assimilations which I have to disagree with.  I also looked at the other learning styles and found that I could relate to all of those too. Not sure what that really means..

My blog

This is my blog and I have no idea what to do with it now.. Enjoy!

Abby

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