Don’t be caught stealing from the Internet

LegalWiz


DEAR LEGAL WIZ,
I love your site and was wondering if I could copy and use some of the information from it on my website that I am building for my real estate visitors.
Marcus

Dear Marcus,
Thanks for having the courtesy to ask. Some persons are of the notion that anything available online is free to the public to use. So often times they download webstuff like songs, articles, poems.
I am being reminded of the rumour that Rita Marley actually puts watchdogs in every country to keep a tab on where Bob Marley’s name is being used without her permission. This allows her good ground to bring successful lawsuits.
In the legal world a lot of copying and reusing or some downloading is just wrong and out right stealing. Even if its for a project. Its freeloading especially where there is no indication that the information you are about to download is free to use.
So, if nothing else, you are stealing a benefit, and denying someone of a benefit they worked hard for and otherwise would have accomplished. Almost anything available is the property of someone, and by the labour of someone.
So the best thing is to exercise caution. Reach out for permission, written permission is better.
Most times giving credit settles the score. At least the source of your information is being promoted.
Still watch for the laws of plagiarism.

AS FOR USING THESE ARTICLES, they are being done for personal benefit of readers, not for someone to download and use to enhance their business. We respect each and every person who contacted us for research on their behalf, and as such their rights must be protected. Would you have picked up a magazine and start copying the section that readers would have had dialogue. Perhaps you should consider using the information you gleaned in a new article instead and give this site credit as one source.
I would recommend you getting written permission. Of course, if you use these articles, you also need to add a link, and give due credit for the hard work put in over 10 years. Dont you think?

Legal wiz

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EDITOR’S NOTES:
The above does not constitute legal advice, and are done by inhouse senior journalists after research and discussion with attorneys-at-law and other specialists, as necessary. Please remember that names are changed at times by request of the person seeking information.

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LegalWiz
... a team of professional experts, mostly Jamaicans, from varied fields including as priority paralegal, investigation, research, real estate, construction, arts (literary, visual, performing, culinary) and entertainment, certified Attorneys (civil and criminal law). Information is researched, then published, on this site, in the interest of the wider public.
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