Dec. 17, 2009

‘Fair use’ a fairly sticky
issue in the Internet age

By Bret Silverberg
Bulletin Staff

The Internet has blurred the lines on copyright infringement in the news media. The law is no different when applied to the Internet than any other publishing medium. But the ease with which bloggers and news aggregators can get information has mired the law, as it pertains to the press, in ambiguity.

The Internet age also ushered in an era of unrivaled speed at which information travels, and that applies especially to news. In many instances, the posting of information on a news outlet’s Web site can entice theft, especially if the “borrowing” entity does not have access to a printed copy of the original news outlet’s material.

“Copying and pasting” has taken on a new meaning in the Internet age, and a more sinister one. MORE >

NENPA Convention

Survey responses sought for
NENPA ad sales workshop in February

Investigative reporting, ways to avoid
libel suits on NENPA convention slate

Economics-related workshops
a focus of 2010 NENPA convention

1st NENPA convention
will be new, but familiar too

Dates set for 2010 NENPA
convention: Feb. 5-6, Boston

NENPA 2010 convention schedule

'In a time that news organizations have limited resources, investigative reporting is a way to make every reporter more resourceful.'

-- Walter Robinson,
Journalism professor,
Northeastern University

Writing
Ernie's writing shows no need to Pyle it on
Jim Stasiowski

Just Design
Column 1: Stop editing, start directing
Column 2: Make your publisher squirm
Ed Henninger

Ad-libs
Paying attention comes first
John Foust

Technology
Questions from the Slimp mailbag
Kevin Slimp