Hotlinking and Copyright Issues...

**Katy** · 03-01-2007, 02:50 AM

How do you guys handle it when your members either hotlink images or post articles in entirety? I've had a few smaller online boutiques come in and create drama over the images (I usually try to step in and explain to our members why it's wrong, blah, blah) and on one separate occasion, I've been contacted by Getty Images and again by a news source that I don't recall at this time.

So how do you handle it? I mean on one hand, it's a very grey area not clearly outlined legally. On the other hand, my members always give credit and link directly to the source.

**Moelman** · 03-01-2007, 03:13 AM

I've never had a problem with anything like this. I have one member in particular who posts a ton of news stories in gaming from places like IGN and we haven't had any trouble. He always gives the link to the original article.

**demojames** · 03-01-2007, 06:33 AM

The best thing to do is to explain to your members that copying the entire article is illegal and can get you, as the owner, in a lot of trouble.

There is some debate if you can even post a part of the article and then link to the rest. With RSS feeds now-a-days, what are you gonna do.

I would just tell them to write a little post themselves and then post a link to the original article or just link to the article.

**Katy** · 03-01-2007, 07:28 AM

DemoJames, that's how we do it now. Sadly, for some reason, my ladies would rather argue with us about it

We're working on it and hopefully they'll get it soon.

**demojames** · 03-01-2007, 07:46 PM

Good luck to you. Please let us know what you come up with.

**AndyM** · 03-09-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katy

DemoJames, that's how we do it now. Sadly, for some reason, my ladies would rather argue with us about it

We're working on it and hopefully they'll get it soon.

I know it's your forums, but you should perhaps point out that they are the ones responsible for posting copyright material and are the ones that will have the likes of Getty images and their expensive lawyers breathing down their necks. Also, that you will comply with any legal order to release personal info that will enable them to trace the offender, such as e-mail and IP addresses.

If you haven't already, you should put this in your T&Cs.

**dojo** · 03-16-2007, 01:57 PM

I have it in the rules and it's easier to handle. They have to read those rules and abide by them. Anything that's not ok is removed and they are sent to read the rules again. This kinda keeps trouble away

**Joy** · 03-16-2007, 06:59 PM

We have an "In The News" section at my forum and as long as the source is quoted it's fine. I have a 'sticky' in that section which says..

Quote:

When you are copying and pasting information from another source can you please quote the source, either by copying and pasting the URL of the page the information is taken from, or by clearly stating the source of the information. Any news items posted that does not clearly state the source will be edited or possibly deleted. This is to help protect the forum from prosecution. If you need help with this please let us know and thanks for your support.

03-01-2007, 02:50 AM	#1
Katy Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 85	Hotlinking and Copyright Issues... How do you guys handle it when your members either hotlink images or post articles in entirety? I've had a few smaller online boutiques come in and create drama over the images (I usually try to step in and explain to our members why it's wrong, blah, blah) and on one separate occasion, I've been contacted by Getty Images and again by a news source that I don't recall at this time. So how do you handle it? I mean on one hand, it's a very grey area not clearly outlined legally. On the other hand, my members always give credit and link directly to the source.

03-01-2007, 03:13 AM	#2
Moelman The Webmaster Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 3,328	I've never had a problem with anything like this. I have one member in particular who posts a ton of news stories in gaming from places like IGN and we haven't had any trouble. He always gives the link to the original article. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - The Largest LucasArts Gaming Community on the Internet To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - tell me your comments! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Your #1 place to discuss all things World of Warcraft.

03-01-2007, 06:33 AM	#3
demojames Just keeping it real Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 2,857	The best thing to do is to explain to your members that copying the entire article is illegal and can get you, as the owner, in a lot of trouble. There is some debate if you can even post a part of the article and then link to the rest. With RSS feeds now-a-days, what are you gonna do. I would just tell them to write a little post themselves and then post a link to the original article or just link to the article. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-01-2007, 07:46 PM	#5
demojames Just keeping it real Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 2,857	Good luck to you. Please let us know what you come up with. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-16-2007, 01:57 PM	#7
dojo Veteran Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Romania Posts: 708	I have it in the rules and it's easier to handle. They have to read those rules and abide by them. Anything that's not ok is removed and they are sent to read the rules again. This kinda keeps trouble away __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-01-2007, 07:28 AM	#4
Katy Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 85	DemoJames, that's how we do it now. Sadly, for some reason, my ladies would rather argue with us about it We're working on it and hopefully they'll get it soon.

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