No question that the AP's making a strategy move .
At they name Copyright Named Licensing Agent for Reuse of Associated Press Content Published Online</a>
AP has determined that they consider to be fair-use to be exactly four words. More than that and you pay $12.50 - $100. This is pretty hypocritical considering that AP journalists help themselves routinely to much more than four words from blogs and websites in the name of "fair use".
AP takes this a step further and under the license pricing and terms of use for iCopyright they place language that raises eyebrows and limits free speech.. Pretty unusual for an entity that lives and dies by freedom of speech protection.
iCopyright License Excerpt:
Derogatory and Unlawful Uses: 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."
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I think that any reasonable person would see a strategy in play and is very much at odds with rights they flaunt daily.
AP is large and may not be a monopoly in the strictest sense, perhaps <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligopoly">oligopoly</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte">cartel</a> is a better description.
Is the AP behaving ethically and morally? Are they being a good citizen? Many say they're not.
AP's strategy and behavior raises lots of questions and concerns:
The Poynter Institute on it's blog asks: <a href="http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31">AP v. Bloggers: Hurting Journalism?</a>
Pajama's Media Asks: <a href="http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/is-the-ap-good-for-america/">Is the Associated Press Good for America?</a>
Perhaps the question we need to ask is: "Is the AP <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evil#Evil_in_business">evil<a>?
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21 June 2008 23:25
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