? about using information found on websites

[antkim]

I am trying to put together a little letter for my clients who will be traveling soon. I just wanted to give them a few hints/ideas for when they are in the "world"-not everyone is as obessed as all of us!! LOL I have some great ideas from all of you but I also found information on this site as well as other Disney sites that I would love to include. Can I copy/paste this information(maybe including where I got the info) or do I have to give a direct link? I'd rather put it together myself-more personal-but I don't know if I would be doing something wrong.

Thanks
Kim

 

[antkim]

Anyone?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well, information, of any kind, is garnered from somewhere. The Net and the various sites on it are for fun and some, like this one (indirectly), for profit. The DIS, Deb's, Mary's, Jennifer's, Mike's, Disney.com, and many others, they all are out there to provide info, but also to make money for their owners. I would think if you used information from the various sites, keeeping in mind that any information listed there is in fact public information, just brought together for easy disemination, that is would suffice if you noted, in a general footnote, that the below mentioned sites were used, in part to provide the above information. Then list them.

Not sure if that is correct, Kim, but sounds good to me, LOL. Continued good wishes with your business.

 

[FroggyinArk]

I would place the info into the letter as you wished, then provide a list of additional information available here web sites as an attachment sheet that way the customers can find any additional info they need , and lets face it who doesnt like a good disneyy website

 

[janette]

My girls include an internet bibliography when they do papers with some of the research is found online.

Here is a link to the proper format, I think that would suffice and they you could just quote the source.

Bibliography

 

[antkim]

Thanks guys!!

 

[LisaZoe]

I'd take a look for any "fine print" on the websites you have in mind. I've noticed that some do have copyright notices so if you are using this for business purposes, you should probably be more careful than if it was for personal use. I have seen many pages with a copyright notice where the "owner" has just asked that you either reference the original site in your information or ask the owner before using the information (probably also you'd reference the site).

I took a look at 2 of the sites I really like for DIsney tips (after this one, of course). Here's what I found:

Mousesavers - A definite "do not copy without permission" note is found at the bottom of the main page (and probably others).

Allearsnet - On their "Terms of Use" page (a link is found at the bottom of the main page), they specifically note that the site's information is limited to personal, noncommercial use.

Obviously, the choice, and potential risk, is one you'll need to make but I did want to point out that information found on the internet is considered "intellectual property" and generally covered by copyright.

ETA - I make no pretensions to knowing the law regarding this but am aware of some basic regulations related to this issue based on previous experience when I worked at my previous employer.

 

[Poohlovr]

Keep in mind if the information is info that is generally known (like the major rides, parades, fast pass, e-night dates, Disney resort discounts, etc, it does not need to be credited (you would spend forever finding all of the sources that mention them and giving credit).
However, if it is information that only one source mentions (i.e.-Discounts that are strictly for Mousesaver readers, then you have to give credit, and, since you are using it for commercial purposes, you would need to get permission.
In some cases,for instance, if you want to use the menus at Debs, I would direct them to the site, but not copy it, since there aren't a lot of places with that info.
I agree with listing the sites used for general information in a "Thanks to" area

 

[Margie J]

If you intend to copy and paste information it may be best to put " .... " around the item and then list the source &/or do a direct link. You wouldn't want to get caught up in copyright or plagarism (sp) rules. A direct link is the safest bet.

If you are using other sites as info sources and then rewriting info in your style, listing sources in a bibliography style may suffice.

 

[antkim]

I was just trying to include things like "things outside of the theme park" or "inexpensive/free things to do" like take a monorail ride and tour the resorts etc. No "special discounts" for subcribers of mousesavers or anything as I deeply respect all that someone like Mary does and I would never want to break the rules. There was just really 1 topic that I wanted to cover and I sometimes have a hard time putting things down in words(I can talk forever and ever!LOL) so I thought if I used some information from a paticular site and acknowleged where I came across the info it would be O.K.-it's no secret info that you are I or anyone that did their research couldn't find on their own-it's just that sometimes people are "unprepared" for the enormity of WDW and I thought a few "hints" might be nice to pass along.

Kim

 

[Amberle3]

My recommendation is to contact the websites that have the information you want to use and ask their permission. Also make sure that you credit them on the handouts, including the website information (ie: courtesty of The Best Disney internet site, www.bestdisney.com). Make sure to let the websites know that you'll be giving them full credit, and that you're not SELLING the information but providing it as a free service to your clients.

If you don't give them credit on the handouts, then if your clients happen to find the website you've taken the info from it's going to make you look very bad.

 

[antkim]

I wouldn't want to look bad which is exactly why I said I would like to acknowledge where I found the information. Thanks for all the replies!

Kim