Quote:
Originally Posted by ACross
The internet is freely accessible, but just because you can see an image, or read the text, doesn't mean it isn't copyrighted. In fact, all of the content you can access online is copyrighted, whether or not there is a copyright notice.
Image, text or source code, if it doesn't specifically say it is in the public domain, or covered by one of several public licenses (GNU General Public License, for example,) then using it anyway constitutes stealing.
|
Interesting! I always wondered what Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, other search engines and thousands of comparative websites were doing when they indexed information from copyrighted websites. Now we know. It is called stealing according to Ms. Cross.
Also, many websites labeled as "Copyrighted" also contain '<meta name="robots" content="index,follow">' in their source code. So, it seems to be a definitive case that "indexing" allows (even requests) some use of copyrighted material.
Eliminating free search engines would be a loss to the world. However, it would be absolutely fantastic if the search engines would be shut down. The number of small computer businesses would explode and salaries would go back up to a reasonable level since we would once again be competing in local, regional or national rather than cut-throat worldwide markets.
However, I do not think that will happen.
There are specific rules and procedures to follow. At a certain point it becomes stealing. If you do not want Google, and any other company, to index your information you can keep it offline.
Or, my preference, you can shut down Google and company. If you choose the latter, please let the rest of us know here in this public forum so we can call our brokers. You wouldn't want to be the next Martha Stewart.