More AP Fun
Yesterday I wrote on how the AP wants you to pay to quote as little as 5 words from one of their articles. As bad as that is, it gets worse. Even if you pay them for a quote, you cannot use that quote in any manner that might be derogatory to the AP.
You shall not use the Content in any manner or context that will be in any way derogatory to the author, the publication from which the Content came, or any person connected with the creation of the Content or depicted in the Content. You agree not to use the Content in any manner or context that will be in any way derogatory to or damaging to the reputation of Publisher, its licensors, or any person connected with the creation of the Content or referenced in the Content.
So even after paying them, no matter how ridiculous a particular story is, you cannot use the AP’s own words against them. Quite a racket.
Do I owe them for quoting their Terms of Use?
UPDATE: It appears the AP has issues practicing what they preach. Bloggers are now calculating their bills to the AP for lifting their content, without linking by the way.
So, Bob, I’m wondering what the First Amendment implications are in this, not to mention fair use.
The AP is essentially saying no one can critique, analyze or poke fun at any AP story, reporter, member or source. (I ead “Publisher” to mean AP members - newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, websites - as the AP does not publish it’s own work, but it’s members do publish the AP’s work and republish each other’s work constantly. It is a Sedition Act for all of the AP, it’s members & sources, no? Sources - “any person connected with the creation of the content or referenced in the content.” WOW.) Did someone forget to tell them they’re not in charge of the entire world?
I’m no lawyer, but I will feel comfortable continuing to note & quote reports by the AP and it’s members. That is a lawsuit that would be too delicious.
So, AP, are you or are you not in favor of the freedoms granted to the press under the First Amendment?
Denise, I think the AP opened a can of worms that they will regret opening. Everything I have read so far seems to point against the AP’s fair use argument.
[...] AP hasn’t been doing much for their reputation of late, first they go after blogger’s for quoting their content, then they go all ga ga over McCain with fluff pieces galore, and now [...]