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LazySusanNot

(192 posts)
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 10:50 AM Jan 2021

OP Copyright question on using 4 paragraphs plus photo?

I found an article I want to post up. The authors writing style comes out in very short paragraphs making it really hard to get the "gist" of the article when just using 4 paragraphs. A thought was to try and fill the missing "in-between" sections between the paragraphs I use from the article with my own retelling of that portion of the story. Suggestions on best ways to do this are appreciated.

Second part involves a "5th" use of the article. If I can use 4 written paragraphs, does a Photo from the article count against that total?

Thanks in advance.

Edited to ad: Another option may be to contact the publication directly and get their permission to use more of the article. Is this ever done? I assume I would need to run this scenario by the administrators...

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OP Copyright question on using 4 paragraphs plus photo? (Original Post) LazySusanNot Jan 2021 OP
A picture speaks a thousand words, so... ret5hd Jan 2021 #1
I like your suggestion to use "one third of the picture" LazySusanNot Jan 2021 #4
You should send a message to EarlG since he is the owner and administrator of this site. TexasTowelie Jan 2021 #2
Thank you. I will do that. LazySusanNot Jan 2021 #3
The four paragraph limit is ManiacJoe Feb 2021 #5
Great info and thank you LazySusanNot Feb 2021 #6
I will tell you in secret question everything Feb 2021 #7
Thank you for the "inside information" LazySusanNot Feb 2021 #8

ret5hd

(21,320 posts)
1. A picture speaks a thousand words, so...
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 11:03 AM
Jan 2021

you should probably limit yourself to either:
1) one-third of the picture (top, bottom, or middle-your choice) and no paragraphs.
2) paragraphs, but no picture

(I kid I kid)

LazySusanNot

(192 posts)
4. I like your suggestion to use "one third of the picture"
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 11:18 AM
Jan 2021

I could maybe turn it into a DU contest and see if anyone can guess what this picture is. LOL

Thanks for the help!

TexasTowelie

(116,556 posts)
2. You should send a message to EarlG since he is the owner and administrator of this site.
Sun Jan 31, 2021, 11:03 AM
Jan 2021

There is a folder on the left side of the display screen titled "Ask the Administrators" where you can pose your question.

ManiacJoe

(10,136 posts)
5. The four paragraph limit is
Wed Feb 3, 2021, 05:18 AM
Feb 2021

just a guideline type hack. Something to keep DU users marginally legal.

The actual fair use guide is that the quoted part of the article must be "short". ("Short" having no official definition in the copyright law.)

I have seen some bad writing styles online where the best one could do is to summarize the article in your own words without quoting.


LazySusanNot

(192 posts)
6. Great info and thank you
Wed Feb 3, 2021, 07:44 AM
Feb 2021

I see the "guidelines" may leave a little wiggle room.. Many of the Author's paragraphs are 2 sentence runs but could easily be cobbled into a "short" section. Have also considered "filling in" between the useable paragraphs with short connecting narratives. Not great alternatives but workable I think.

Thank you for chiming in on this. I've sent an inquiry to the administrators which may also give me some guidance.

question everything

(48,733 posts)
7. I will tell you in secret
Sat Feb 6, 2021, 04:48 PM
Feb 2021

If the paragraphs are really short, combine them..

And, yes, using 5 or 6 can be OK... unless someone decides to alert..


LazySusanNot

(192 posts)
8. Thank you for the "inside information"
Sat Feb 6, 2021, 07:41 PM
Feb 2021

I will keep this as our little secret. Vault locked. Key being thrown away as we speak.

I may also stick with the 4 paragraphs "limit" instead of 5 to avoid the potential alerts. Many of the author's paragraphs are 2 sentences long - so this should be easy.

Now all I have to do is write it!

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