Adsense restrictions on copyrighted materials

How about blogs quoting other blogs? Does that qualify as “copyrighted content”?

You’re forgetting there’s fair use. That’s a “legal right.” But of course, fair use is not a cut-and-dry thing and courts are the final arbiter for such.

But here are some comments on your examples.

> Celebrity or showbiz blogs using videos captured from TV, cable or movies.

Probably infringing. But if you’re commenting on the video, it’s probably ok (as long as ONLY relevant snippets of the video is used) since there’s editorial fair use.

> Photo blogs displaying pictures of celebrities, models and actors/actresses.

It depends. Some pictures can be used to illustrate articles that talk about the celebrity especially if the pictures are meant for media distribution (e.g., publicity photos). But collections of pictures is very likely infringing as are misappropriation of pictures.

> Lyrics sites or blogs.

Very likely infringing. In this case, you’re actually republishing the WHOLE copyrighted content, likely without permission, so it’s automatically infringing. There goes Markku’s lyric blog.

> Blogs or sites providing streaming songs or mp3 downloads of recording artists.

Infringing. If only very short snippets of the songs are used, it MIGHT be fair use, especially if you’re commenting on the song. But I think the recording companies will likely argue this point in court.

> Blog aggregators or portal. Unless you have explicit permission from bloggers to aggregate their content, they could report you for DMCA and asked to have your account voided.

If there’s no permission, it’s infringing. Period. But quoting RELEVANT short passages from others’ blog entries is fair use.

Lyrics sites or blogs.

Very likely infringing. In this case, you’re actually republishing the WHOLE copyrighted content, likely without permission, so it’s automatically infringing. There goes Markku’s lyric blog.

I hope not, though I’m not really sure about my legal position. I’d rather focus on local artists and hope things turn out okay. *Prays hard.*

I think starting today, bloggers should be serious in considering copyrighted materials not to post on their blogs. May also consider assessing their previous posts which may affect the whole site.

Hmm. Well, to enlighten you on what a copyright is, it’s a legal right an owner, creator, writer or composer has on how his/her work is distributed. The reason I asked if quoting blogs falls under Adsense’s policy is because not every blogger can keep watch on how his content is being treated by other bloggers. That’s why some of us use Creative Commons for that purpose. But that doesn’t solve the problem. As for publishing lyrics, that is a copyright violation right there. But music companies tolerate it as far as I know, since they’re just lyrics and not mp3’s.