The thing with the copyright.. again and again !!! And so long again, as long it does happen.
As long as copyright infringements do happen, and as often they do happen - this will not make them be legal. It's illegal, let's face it.
If someone does decide to leave the garden furniture outside overnight in the garden and some idiot steals it, the fact that access was easy, does not mean that it is legal to take it !!
Same with photos.
However, furniture and other things do cost us money. Taking photos does cost us money too, if you face it - but we do it mostly just for fun, because of being interested in ships, because enjoying to take photos.
Still, this does make nicking photos from this site not legal.
That's the point, nothing else ! In the law, it does not make any difference, whether the photo was taken by a professional photographer or someone who call him/herself a "shipspotter".
Actually, the situation on this forum here is following:
Some people DO care about respect of copyright. These ones get furious if some companies which are using the photos to make money do not care about even asking us ! Paying is another thing. But askiing would be the thing to do.
OK, so the discussion comes. With a good right, a protest against something that is simply not just unfair but illegal.
The other bunch of folks here, do not care at all. They are happy, to take photos, to put these onlines, to read history of ships, whatever. They would not be bothered if a huge company does use the photo, without asking them, using it for making money.
You see, you have two opinions here. Of course there will not be an agreement because each one is entitled to have own attitude and opinion about this.
WE do have a huge forum, for several topics. Or let's say about as many topics as you like.
Hey, if you are in the mood for it, you can start a thread and discuss with people who share an interest, which one is the best looking super tanker out there in the world :lol: :lol: !!
You can, but I bet several here would simply find it boring. I would. I'd read the topic, I'd read perhaps the content of the first post. Then, I leave the thread because I have something else to do.
There are MANY THREADS here which do not hit my interest or the interest of other members here. If you have such a big community as we have here, this is just natural.
What I do regard as natural as well is, that I think we all do not only know how to use the keyboard but we also are able to read and we are able to use the brains !! No matter how old, or how young we are.
So, the most natural thing for me to do is: Thread not interesting = LEAVE IT !!!!
Threads with the content "copyright" or any other topic that might not hit 100% interest of everyone are not "clogging up forums". Because, if you are intelligent persons you are able to click it away and choose - for you - more suitable topics to read. There is no clogging up. I just checked, and there is alot of diversity on topics here. Sometimes we have this hot topic, another time it's another one.
Please people, do use your intelligence when reading, as well when posting. If you find a topic boring, or if it does not touch you or if you don't give a sh+++ just stay away if you do not have anything useful to contribute.
I think it is o. k. to say what was said in the first post. That this site is an enthusiasts site. But as soon the topic "copyright" comes, there is people who are complaining that this topic does exist, and that it does "clog up the forums" which is real nonsense.
Of course, free speech is essential to this site, and I think it is also important to give a critical opinion sometimes to a topic, or someone coming who does see the whole thing from a different point of view like Ed's first post here. But I think, it is also a time when realizing that if the topic does not interest me, let the ones who ARE interested talk. And turn to more suitable (for you) things.
I for one will always put it on the forum when there are copyright infringements, because it is simply not legal and the least, the companies should learn that they can not just take photos from the internet. And, it does help believe me, I gone through this. Either they ask next time, remove photos and some pay.
I did once say, that it would also be possible to open a thread "copyright infringement by" and putting the links there. Members who care, can then look through their gallery and take the actions they think that are suitable.
To such a thread there does even not have to be a big discussion. Affected member could talk about result, or what he or she has done. Not more.
Big discussion comes always up when some members who seemingly is not able to read stumbles onto the thread and whinging that it is "clogging up forums" blabla... This is the thing that is not very fair, and it is just adding oil to the fire. I think, these topic can be dealt with by affected members and information can be shared, but the last thing we do need I think, is people stirring it up !!
OK, this is just my personal opinion and it is perhaps worth, to certain people to respect that it is worth for some to discuss.