wwp@yahoogroups.com:
Regroup & respond
Fridlund 2008-May-22 17:53:00
Hi all,
I did not see the formal email or the attached document that was to be
signed and returned. If you have the document, would you please attach it
and send it to me directly?
Also- with our flattening world, I encourage us to first regroup and
collectively send a request for more information, clarify the rules of
copyright (many people do not truly understand them), and request a response
by a specific time.
My guess is that the language of the letter appears harsh due to translation
and cultural communication styles. Thus, let?s not assume that they are
being rude or condescending.
As to WWP not communicating back, as stated in the letter, let?s not assume
that WWP has or has not responded. Let?s ask.... Without an assumption and
get the facts before we start attacking or commenting on said assumptions.
This takes rumors and passes them on as facts- thus confusing an already
complex situation.
It is possible that because the WWP is hosted through UCB- that the ?Fair
Use? copyright is assumed by this group. If that is so, we might need to
clarify how our work is NOT under an educational ?fair use? copyright
clause, but is individually copyrighted and is just hosted via UCB. MANY
educators and non-educators are confused by copyright law, let?s clarify it
on our WWP page and to this group. If we do this in a concise and friendly
format, it might prevent similar problems.
We are setting precedent here- let?s see this as an opportunity to clarify
copyright, how to access and use WWP material, and effective communication
between WWP members and the requesting parties.
I understand about concerns of the group, or other groups, making money off
of a display. This is going to come up again. We need criteria for what
types of groups could use our work and still charge an entry fee.
Non-profit criteria is not enough- many non-profits make tons of money.
Most educational institutions don?t, though.
We are getting our work hosted for FREE through UCB Regents- this muddies
the waters while benefiting most of us as far as publicity. Let?s come up
with a strategy, focus on a positive sense of communication, ask for
clarification, and set a worthy precedent as this is likely to be the first
a quite a few invitations.
Just my thoughts,
Eva La Mar
Educator
Eugene, OR