Eclecticology wrote a lot of reasonable stuff, but I disagree completely with the following:
The "better safe than sorry" approach that avoids all risk, is a recipe for accomplishing nothing. Once due diligence has been applied, a policy of "It's easier to get forgiveness than permission" makes good sense.
1, we will not accomplish nothing since many of us have cameras, free time, and generosity of spirit.
2, when you're dealing with a 600lb gorillas like Microsoft or AOL/Time Warner, do not ever expect forgiveness. They are interested in profits and domination; they do not care what your motivations were and can only occasionally be shamed into being reasonable. Furthermore, copyright law itself is not forgiving.
The statements above are of course mine completely and are not meant to represent the opinions of anyone else on this list-serv or off it.
kq 0