geni wrote:
On 1/25/07, Jeff Raymond wrote:
geni wrote:
False.
It includes elements of law so beautifully complex in their construction that a lifetime of study would hardly scratch the surface
False. Our fair use policy is rooted in copyright paranoia.
No it isn't. In any case I wasn't talking about "fair use".
Fair use is only one small corner of copyright law. In many respects I agree with both of you. International copyright law as we know it is incredibly complex, but adopting a policy based on lowest common denominatior of risk aversion is paranoia at the same time. Risk frightens most people, and they would prefer not to take any at all. It's no wonder that the risk averse will win nearly every time the matter comes to a vote somewhere.
That being said, and as important as discussions about copyright are. at this juncture they tend to set this important discussion off on a tangent. The need (or lack of need) to deal with sourcing issues will still be there with or without copyritght material.
Ec