Prick-Eared

People always wonder why this blog includes the website and literature where images and quotes are from, as well as attributing to who possesses or owns the photographs and drawings– even if they are public domain. It is not so much the question of avoiding copyright battles, but rather pay homage to the people who took the time to source these images, data, quotes and facts and upload them on the Internet.

By philosophy, there is a copyleftist leaning on this blog; however it is easy to spin on a dime and get grouchy about other people using one’s works. Creative Commons is a brilliant concept, however not enforceable in the court of law. More than once, well-meaning people have been burnt by the retraction of the Creative Commons licence. As of now, the Creative Commons is based on an honour system. So even if the items featured on the blog are under Creative Commons or Public Domain, still credits are given where it’s due to the person, book or website those photographs and quotes came from.

In addition, in Canada, we also have a concept of “fair dealing,” which is a bit different from the American concept of “fair use.” In Canada, one can utilize the exemption from copyright laws for news reporting, research, for critique or review; however they cannot exploit it for profit, without consent, even if the works have been modified and original authorship is cited. In the States, one can still profit off of their fair use of the material; nor refer back to the original owner, as long there is substantiated amount of alterations and modifications. Because of conflicts in the past, on other blogging projects, there is a Policy page on “Little Heelers” weblog.

There is a great animated short produced by Nina Paley touching on this issue:

Lyrics:

Always give credit where credit is due
if you didn’t write it, don’t say it’s by you
just copy the credit along with the work
or else you’ll come off as an arrogant jerk

Always give credit where credit belongs
we know that you didn’t write Beethoven’s songs
pretending you did makes you look like a fool
unless you’re Beethoven – in that case, it’s cool

A transparent system makes cheating unwise
the simplest web search exposes your lies
no one wants their reputation besmirched
which happens to liars when they are web-searched

Proper citation will make you a star
it shows that you know that we know who you are
Plagiarization will only harm you
so always give credit where credit is due!

via questioncopyright.org

Synopsis:

Mimi makes a copy of a Beethoven Symphony with a giant copy machine. Trouble starts when Eunice erases Beethoven’s name and writes in her own. This makes Eunice look like an ass. Searching the Internet (itself a giant copy machine) confirms that Eunice is a liar. Eunice realizes her mistake and corrects it, but by then everyone’s moved on – her plagiarism is barely a blip in the spread of correctly-attributed cultural works through copying.

via questioncopyright.org

Actually, there is also a great topic of discussion on QuestionCopyright.org as a result of this minute meme. Go check it out. Understand the ethics. With that in mind, even attributions have limits.

However, there has been an absence of citing sources on “Little Heelers” lately. Part of this is because it takes time to set up footnotes and embed the superscript tags. Also, there haven’t been a great deal of steamy rants worthy of intensive research lately. It is really hard to write when one isn’t passionate about an ongoing issue. Yes, there are many things to write out about there, but when there’s lackluster– writer’s block is a bitch.

That being said, this blog is first and foremost about history and ethics. It is a shame people hoard valuable information to themselves, and refrain from releasing wonderful information about breeds and all things in dogdom from the public simply for private study. Who knows how much snippets are there well-maintained by predominant breeders and avid enthusiasts only be thrown away in landfills upon passing by their grandchildren because they refused to share with the world out of fear of corruption. This is a sin.

In addition, there are people out there who selectively oppress bloggers just because they disagree with the nature of the post, or the concept behind the said blog. They do this in a covert manner by screaming copyright infringement. It is understandable when an image or a passage has been leaked, that it may hurts one’s revenue. However sending a Cease and Desist letter personally to the blogger is a far better tactical move– and usually most people are likely to oblige by the request since it’s not a public spectacle. Otherwise, if one is going to raise a stink about the topic at hand, on an open forum, instead off over the use of the image, it only casts doubts in readers’ minds. It sends a message that people are entitled to suppress free speech, and freedom of the press; even if it is not the case.

via mimiandeunice.com [Image: Nina Paley]

Yes, the concept of “free speech” and “freedom of the press” does have limits; however so many Westerners have these ingrained in their concept of natural rights, it feels like a personal attack to say otherwise. Is it really worthwhile to up-heave customs and traditions and drum up the cavalry? Be diplomatic.

If one still feels the need to be a jerk, please provide evidences it belongs to the copyright holder. Failure to produce such proof will only makes the complaining party look like a troll. One cannot claim copyfraud or plagiarism if there is nothing signifying the work belongs to someone!

Internet is forever. Temper tantrums can be found by anyone. Is it really worthwhile to lose face to in order protect something?

Feel free to sniffle and suppress information, but keep in mind there are other people out there who equally just as worthy of being privy to these tadbits. Knowledge isn’t owned by one person, but rather by the collective will; history is woven by a great deal numbers of people, even the faceless, sharing knowledge, all participating in the great game of life.

The problem with “fair use” and “fair dealing,” it is a real grey area and one must be extremely methodical to walk the straight and narrow path. For “Little Heelers,” theoretically, information belongs to its readers; not to the person who owns or runs the weblog. If there is any question, e-mail souggy [at] shaw [dot] ca.

Oh, as far as copyfraud being committed in Canada? Don’t worry about it. The strict nature of “fair dealing” eliminates the grey area surrounding “fair use.” As long there are citations and attributions, there’s minimal conflicts of interest.