Subject: Re: is it ok if I quote? From: Erik Naggum <erik@naggum.no> Date: 21 Sep 2002 23:55:47 +0000 Newsgroups: comp.lang.lisp Message-ID: <3241641347847103@naggum.no> * ozan s yigit | even when one is sure of fair use, asking for permission seems to be a custom | in the publishing industry. when in doubt, it is best to get either | permission or real legal advice for the specific use, however informative web | and usenet may be on general points. The reason we have the Fair Use Doctrine in the first place that some people do not want to see critical commentary on their works. Since society has a real strong benefit from rooting out dis- and misinformation, the only way to ensure that falsehoods are exposed is to let others comment on them. If you could be sued for quoting something from somebody and calling it crap, this would only benefit the bad guys, not society. Therefore, you need the Fair Use Doctrine when you are about to slaughter somebody's work. When you want to appraise them, you /will/ get permission from reasonable people, and those unreasonable ones who reject are the ones to lose by not getting appraisal, but even so, it is their call. -- Erik Naggum, Oslo, Norway Act from reason, and failure makes you rethink and study harder. Act from faith, and failure makes you blame someone and push harder.