[pct-l] Copyright

[Donna Saufley]

This dovetails into a previous discussion on the PCT-L; does the same apply
to entries in trail registers?  

 

L-Rod

 

   _____  

From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Brian Forestell
Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 10:54 AM
To: cvano at tmail.com; PCT MailingList
Subject: [pct-l] Copyright

 

Hi

 

I am a small town lawyer so I probably have a bit of info on this matter.
Whether you officially copyright your words or not as soon as you put your
words down on paper (or electronically) you have a copyright over them.  No
one else can use your words without your permission.  You would have to make
a specific deal (we lawyers call it a contract) with Trail journals to
sell/give/transfer your copyright to them.  I checked the Trail Journals
site and there is nothing like that.  Therefore, when you publish on line
you do not loose or transfer your copyright automatically.  When you publish
on line you widely distribute your words so the value of your copyright may
be diminished.  Several years ago an Australian guy wrote a book called
Dances with Marmots chronicling his PCT hike and he couldn't get it
published so he put it on line.  He eventually published it.  I already had
a copy of his book in electronic form so he lost at least one potential
customer.  Even though he originally published his book on line he did not
loose his copyright.  No one could use those words without his permission.
When someone publishes on line there is a general understanding that there
is going to be some copyright infringement.  For example, if I am reading
your journal and I think you have a very well written story I might cut and
paste it into a letter to friend.  I notice that Yogi regularly quotes from
journals in her guide and you would have to ask her what she does to avoid
copyright infringement.

 

If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

 

Trouble

 


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