So, who owns what is written on a message board?

[In a hurry]

If I were to write a trip report and post it here, does the Dis then own it? Could they publish it? Could I then publish it or do they have a copyright? Can I publish someone else's? (and, no, i have no intention of doing so!!!!!!! )

I was just wondering how it all works. Anyone have any clues?

 

[Charade]

Web Copyright Information. All pages within this Internet site ("Site") are the property of Werner Technologies and/or its affiliates. No portion of the materials on these pages may be reprinted or republished in any form without the express written permission of Werner Technologies.

Read more here.


http://www.wdwinfo.com/disclaimer.htm

 

[In a hurry]

Well, isn't that interesting.

I think it is kind of a rip! Why should someone else own my posts. I almost posted an idea I've been cooking up for an article, to get opinions, but now I can't. I would have appreciated the input from so many interesting perspectives.

Of course, I realize that it isn't my site, and I choose to follow the rules by posting here...but no one said I had to like them.

 

[curiouser]

Well, isn't that interesting.

I think it is kind of a rip! Why should someone else own my posts. I almost posted an idea I've been cooking up for an article, to get opinions, but now I can't. I would have appreciated the input from so many interesting perspectives.

Of course, I realize that it isn't my site, and I choose to follow the rules by posting here...but no one said I had to like them.

It's just The Man trying to keep us down, In a hurry..

 

[bicker]

It's kind-of like breaking the seal on an envelope containing a software CD -- you break that seal you have actually agreed to the terms and conditions of the license, legally binding and all.

 

[In a hurry]

So, could Werner Technologies do whatever they wanted with what has been posted to their board?

 

[bicker]

Yes, pretty much.

I don't see why anyone would be concerned about that.

 

[In a hurry]

Huh! You learn something new everyday!

 

[phorsenuf]

Web Copyright Information. All pages within this Internet site ("Site") are the property of Werner Technologies and/or its affiliates. No portion of the materials on these pages may be reprinted or republished in any form without the express written permission of Werner Technologies.

I looked into this some and yes, Werner owns the pages within the site, but not what individual people post on the message boards.
I read through some sites that discussed this very topic and that's how I read it to be.

 

[In a hurry]

So, if I wrote this epic (haha) and posted it, and then deleted it, he would not have any right to it?

 

[phorsenuf]

So, if I wrote this epic (haha) and posted it, and then deleted it, he would not have any right to it?

IN MY OPINION, that is correct.

 

[disneymcgraw]

I'm not witty enough to be copyrighted.

 

[In a hurry]

I'm not either. I don't know what made me think of it, but when I get an idea in my head, I get a bit stubborn about finding out!

 

[Dan Murphy]

He is going to write a book with all this material, along the lines of the Twilight Zone......The DIS Zone

 

[In a hurry]

HaHa! I was think of something more like Peyton Place!

bicker, I missed your statement about why it would be a concern. As I said, I though of it when I was considering posting an idea for an article that I was asked to write. So, I guess my concern was whether someone else would then have a right to it legally. (I know that posting it publicly would also offer it up to be taken illegally.)

 

[wvrevy]

Despite what others may post, I think this is a valid question, for the trip report angle alone. There are many trip reports that have been posted here through the years that are worthy of publication (not naming names...we all have our "favorites"). I could certainly see gathering the "best" of these and publishing them as a travelogue type of Disney companion.

 

[phorsenuf]

HaHa! I was think of something more like Peyton Place!

bicker, I missed your statement about why it would be a concern. As I said, I though of it when I was considering posting an idea for an article that I was asked to write. So, I guess my concern was whether someone else would then have a right to it legally. (I know that posting it publicly would also offer it up to be taken illegally.)

Not sure about that. You may have the original rights. Check into that one.

BTW did you (general you) know that you do not have to submit your writings to get them copywritten. If you post/write something and put that "C" symbol next to it, it is considered copywritten. (I read that somewhere in my travels).

 

[In a hurry]

Thanks all! The Dis is a wealth of information...if nothing else, it gives some good places to start when thinking about a new concept! I really appreciate people taking the time to ponder, and respond!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Maybe it's just me, but I take the disclaimer to refer to the message boards as well as the main www.wdwinfo.com page.

One could look at it as protection for all parties. Let's say Pete decides that the world needs one more Disney guidebook and uses the DIS boards for part of his material. That would save him a lot of time and expense in trying to get licensing for the material to be used since, according to the disclaimer, the posters have given approval through the mere act of posting.

On the flip side, let's say Joe Schmoe came along, read what wvrevy said about the trip reports, and decides that a book compiling the best Disney vacation trip reports on the internet would make him rich. Without the disclaimer, Joe Schmoe could feasibly copy and publish the trip reports without getting any approval from the writers or from the DIS webmasters. With the disclaimer there, at the very least he would have to get approval from the WMs.

I let the WMs know about this thread. Maybe one of them will have some insight. I'm sure, however, that just about every message board out there has a similar disclaimer and each boards' administrators may enforce it differently.

 

[In a hurry]

You are right, it would certainly work both ways. Thank you Obi-Wan Pinobi! My little pin collecting, star wars loving nephews loved your name when I told them about it!