Please read link

[chopnhack]

Its a complicated world we live in I really had never taken the time to think of this before, but yes, copyright infringement is very prevalent due to the nature of the internet. I will remember this thread before I post, thanks!

[Black wallnut]

Yippee, so then does this mean no more links to craigslist ads unless the poster is the one who put the ad up on craigslist in the first place? What about images from manufacturers websites, a no no without permission from them?

I can't recall this issue coming up on any of the other Forums that I visit so again, I don't see what all the fuss is about.

Dave the issue is with hotlinks. There is no issue with a hyperlink which is what a link to a Craigslist ad is. For example here are two different ways to hyper link: Shop at Kenworth for your heavy truck needs in Fontana and go to http://www.inlandkwfontana.com/default.htm to shop for a great truck.

The following is a hotlinked image:



The image is one of me hosted on my site Blackwalnutjigs.com.

[dbhost]

No, if you are linking to say another page, at least as long as you aren't bypassing firewalls or paywalls or that sort of thing, you are fine. So for example linking to the boneheaded craigslist ads or even the good ones is fine.

Manufacturer site image hot linking is questionable, and is potentially copyright infringement.

A good example would be threads I see on other forums comparing the trunions and tables of contractor saws to cabinet saws, and while it is obvious the images are from Grizzly, there is no attribution, and I would suspect that permission to use inline in that manner is not granted by the copyright holder.

While not often an issue, a copyright holder CAN cause untold grief and expense to web site operators, and contributors (members and staff) if they wish to pursue copyright claims. Starting with DMCA takedown notices which the website operator must respond to in a timely manner. (Either take down the offending piece, or tell them to stick it in their ear and see you in court, guess which way most operators go?) and in some cases, ends up in court with the only people really winning out is the attorneys involved...

The purpose for bringing this up isn't that it is a big stink at this time, but more of a gentle reminder for folks to follow the guidelines that will keep us all out of hot water.

[sweensdv]

I guess I just keep hitting my head against the Pink Floyd wall but I have a hard time understanding how a hot, hyper or any other kind of link for that matter can be a copyright infringement if no one is making a dime by posting one. I will say that it's a totally different animal if someone is making money by doing it but just posting a picture of a guy standing at a bench(for example)............cmon, where's the harm? On the other hand, please take into account that up until this thread I had never even heard the terms "hotlink" or hyperlinK" let alone what is or isn't considered ethical when it comes to using one.

[pelligrini]

I don't think one has to make money to infringe on a copyright. The copyright is so the person who has it has control over their material. They might not be interested in money themselves, but they might be opposed to not getting credit or having their materials used improperly.

Hotlinking does cost the person hosting the images. A while back I put some renderings of a proposed highrise tower in my webspace for posting on a local architecture forum. Not too long after I noticed a lot of my bandwidth (that I pay for monthly) getting used up on those images. Someone had hotlinked them on a very active Skyscraper forum, with no accreditation (nor permission) what-so-ever. I got very close to exceeding my hosting bandwidth one month due to that.

I don't think it's a serious issue around here, but something we should be aware of.

[Black wallnut]

I guess I just keep hitting my head against the Pink Floyd wall but I have a hard time understanding how a hot, hyper or any other kind of link for that matter can be a copyright infringement if no one is making a dime by posting one. I will say that it's a totally different animal if someone is making money by doing it but just posting a picture of a guy standing at a bench(for example)............cmon, where's the harm? On the other hand, please take into account that up until this thread I had never even heard the terms "hotlink" or hyperlinK" let alone what is or isn't considered ethical when it comes to using one.

Well Dave what you do not know because the vast majority of what I do as an Admin is behind the scenes is that just this week a member posted copyrighted material, was asked via PM to cite source and further was given proof of claim of copyright. My job as Admin is to look out for the best interests of BT3Central. So as a matter of fact it is an issue and in this case the copyright was owned by a man that protects the written material so tyhat he can sell it to folks, and from what I can guess from my research has asked other websites to remove his copyrighted material. I sincerely doubt that our member intended to defraud the copyright owner. I do think he was just trying to share something he found that he likes. Does anyone think the copyright holder gives one rip about the intentions of any of our members when he is in the business of selling the same material? I would prefer to not wait for an offended copyright holder to contact us with a cease and desist order.

Beyond that as I said earlier I have had my copyrighted material used without my consent. That is bad manners at the least.