NationStates Jolt Archive

Umm... hello everyone.

I was wondering, does anyone know where I can read the copyright laws? I want to better undertand what I can use, can't use, am not allowed to use, why I'm not allowed to use, to distribute, to edit, allowed to use if I give acknowledgments that X was the one who created that and so forth and so on.

Anyone can help me out?

Umm... hello everyone.

I was wondering, does anyone know where I can read the copyright laws? I want to better undertand what I can use, can't use, am not allowed to use, why I'm not allowed to use, to distribute, to edit, allowed to use if I give acknowledgments that X was the one who created that and so forth and so on.

Anyone can help me out?

Which country? Wiki is actually useful, even just for the external links page.

Copyright laws differ per country.
And most publications have a short list of rights and reservations that go with it.

You might also want to check fair use laws..

Straight Dope (http://straightdope.com) has a four part series on it, but you'll have to go huntin' as I'm too lazy to find it.

Google is usually the best place to start, just type "Copyright laws" +Country into it. Be aware though that in the end, it's up to the copyright holder to decide if they want to come after you and if you want to fight a fair-use court battle, noting that the holders usually have very mean lawyers and lots of money whereas (Unless you happen to be Bill Gates in disguise) you do not.

So I should respect which copyright laws? The country I'm in, or the country the other user is in, even if I don't know from which country he's from?

So I should respect which copyright laws? The country I'm in, or the country the other user is in, even if I don't know from which country he's from?
International copyright law is even trickier. The copyright law that is applied (IIRC) is the country where the original copyright was granted. However, if there is prosecution, that is done under the copyright laws of your own country (or the country of wherever you're hosting whatever it is you're creating).

This assumes of course the said countries like each other and agree to help.

It might help if we knew what it was you were planning on doing.

Well, I want to use a number of files for a school project that I'm creating.

First of it all, I want to use a movie from a PC game as a preview to the project.
Then, I want to use pictures found on different sites and put them on my project.
Then, I want to use a map found in a flash file, and edit it then use it for my own project.

The project is for school but may be submitted on the internet, therefore it'll no longer be only for school. Now I'm not sure.. for the movie, if I own a version of the game this means that I have a copy the movie too, as a part of the game. But I don't know if I'm allowed to use the movie as a preview, even if for educational purposes.

For the pictures, I'm not sure if either I'm allowed to use them, or ask for permission.. (which will prove to be impossible for the amount of pics I have)

For the map inside the flash file, the flash file was hosted as a demonstration file on a website. I took a part of the flash file (the map) by print screening my screen, then I begun working on it to suite my demands for the project.

Should I also add a:
"All respective works are copyrighted to their respective owners, unless specified otherwise"

Well, I want to use a number of files for a school project that I'm creating.

First of it all, I want to use a movie from a PC game as a preview to the project.
Then, I want to use pictures found on different sites and put them on my project.
Then, I want to use a map found in a flash file, and edit it then use it for my own project.

The project is for school but may be submitted on the internet, therefore it'll no longer be only for school. Now I'm not sure.. for the movie, if I own a version of the game this means that I have a copy the movie too, as a part of the game. But I don't know if I'm allowed to use the movie as a preview, even if for educational purposes.

For the pictures, I'm not sure if either I'm allowed to use them, or ask for permission.. (which will prove to be impossible for the amount of pics I have)

For the map inside the flash file, the flash file was hosted as a demonstration file on a website. I took a part of the flash file (the map) by print screening my screen, then I begun working on it to suite my demands for the project.

Should I also add a:
"All respective works are copyrighted to their respective owners, unless specified otherwise"



that would be a violation of copyright laws.

plus it might be considered plagarism by your teacher.

i suggest that you run it by your teacher before you end up with a failing grade AND a lawsuit.

crediting someone else does not allow you to use their work. all it is is admitting that you stole it.

Well, I want to use a number of files for a school project that I'm creating.

First of it all, I want to use a movie from a PC game as a preview to the project.
Then, I want to use pictures found on different sites and put them on my project.
Then, I want to use a map found in a flash file, and edit it then use it for my own project.

The project is for school but may be submitted on the internet, therefore it'll no longer be only for school. Now I'm not sure.. for the movie, if I own a version of the game this means that I have a copy the movie too, as a part of the game. But I don't know if I'm allowed to use the movie as a preview, even if for educational purposes.

For the pictures, I'm not sure if either I'm allowed to use them, or ask for permission.. (which will prove to be impossible for the amount of pics I have)

For the map inside the flash file, the flash file was hosted as a demonstration file on a website. I took a part of the flash file (the map) by print screening my screen, then I begun working on it to suite my demands for the project.

Should I also add a:
"All respective works are copyrighted to their respective owners, unless specified otherwise"

A thoroughly cited bibliography should cover your ass. This is a school project, so unless you distribute this on the internet, I doubt you have much to worry about, unless you fail to properly cite your sources. If you don't cite right, you'll get slapped with a plagiarism charge and a failing grade.

Well, I want to use a number of files for a school project that I'm creating.

First of it all, I want to use a movie from a PC game as a preview to the project.
Then, I want to use pictures found on different sites and put them on my project.
Then, I want to use a map found in a flash file, and edit it then use it for my own project.

The project is for school but may be submitted on the internet, therefore it'll no longer be only for school. Now I'm not sure.. for the movie, if I own a version of the game this means that I have a copy the movie too, as a part of the game. But I don't know if I'm allowed to use the movie as a preview, even if for educational purposes.

For the pictures, I'm not sure if either I'm allowed to use them, or ask for permission.. (which will prove to be impossible for the amount of pics I have)

For the map inside the flash file, the flash file was hosted as a demonstration file on a website. I took a part of the flash file (the map) by print screening my screen, then I begun working on it to suite my demands for the project.

Should I also add a:
"All respective works are copyrighted to their respective owners, unless specified otherwise"

Comprehensive Bibliography, in Harvard style. Yes, I'm dead serious.

Do NOT submit it over the internet if it's avoidable, the method by which the internet distributes it to the other user makes it technically illegal, as it passes through multiple users.

Well, I want to use a number of files for a school project that I'm creating.

First of it all, I want to use a movie from a PC game as a preview to the project.
Then, I want to use pictures found on different sites and put them on my project.
Then, I want to use a map found in a flash file, and edit it then use it for my own project.

The project is for school but may be submitted on the internet, therefore it'll no longer be only for school. Now I'm not sure.. for the movie, if I own a version of the game this means that I have a copy the movie too, as a part of the game. But I don't know if I'm allowed to use the movie as a preview, even if for educational purposes.

For the pictures, I'm not sure if either I'm allowed to use them, or ask for permission.. (which will prove to be impossible for the amount of pics I have)

For the map inside the flash file, the flash file was hosted as a demonstration file on a website. I took a part of the flash file (the map) by print screening my screen, then I begun working on it to suite my demands for the project.

Should I also add a:
"All respective works are copyrighted to their respective owners, unless specified otherwise"

Dunno where you are, but in the UK that would be fine except maybe for altering the flash file.

You MUST however, especially if the project is for the internet, say exactly where you got each image from and if possible who made it. Ideally you should ask the image owners for permission but that is very difficult to obtain especially over the internet. I'm not sure about the flash part, but you should really ask your teacher about it. Also, if you receive an email from an owner of the image or content you have used asking you to remove it, you absolutely MUST do so immediately, or ask your teachers to if they asr in control of the site on which it is displayed.

Thanks everyone for your help :)