So much for the fancy gauges

[Cap'n Jack]

My understanding of the law that It is FREE if it's a fair use.

Within limits.

But let's agree that just because it is on the internet, it is not automatically free to use. Once that foundation is established, we can discuss under what conditions information may be used (fair use, government works, etc). Some information (stolen trade secrets, for example) wouldn't fall under fair use at all.

 

[Salty]

The one you labor under when you believe you can post some thing in open forum on a social media and no one will copy.

again you equate easy to steal as legal to steal.

 

[Isosceles]

But let's agree that just because it is on the internet, it is not automatically free to use.

That's true. The copyright status does not depend on whether it's on the internet or not at all.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

That's true. The copyright status does not depend on whether it's on the internet or not at all.

True. And there's enough grey in the "fair use doctrine" that if someone complained to PoA about their picture (or music or poetry or whatever) being used, the admins would take it down just to be safe. Although one could say that the photos removed from this thread were intended for comment and criticism, a savvy lawyer could claim that the mechanic that posted them was really intending them to draw attention to his mechanic services and the purpose of the use was really of a commercial nature (whether true or not, appearances count here!)

 

[Bell206]

but using pictures from the web to make your point is probably a fair use.

There is also such thing as fair use of copyrighted material: ..

Fair Use has a narrow definition and application. A private individual using material created by another person on a an private internet forum is not covered by fair use. Now if the material was in the Public Domain then it would okay to use anywhere as in your telephone book example.

but i believe that the pictures like that may not be copyrightable
at all.

Since the federal law was changed 25-30 years ago, anytime someone creates a tangible work (picture, story, photo, etc) that work is automatically covered by copyright. Now whether they wish register that copyright is a different matter.

to be 100% legal it should have included the source.

To be 100% legal you must have their permission to use the material in this type of case. How to note sources, footnotes, etc has its own requirements.

 

[hawk25u]

Are some of you married to each other???

 

[Tom-D]

Are some of you married to each other???

Not for long, divorce is as easy as the ignore button.

 

[denverpilot]

I'm surprised that he didn't tell them to stuff it, they are a private company.

He's a sociopath who wants TV time for a future political run. He wouldn't turn down free press in front of cameras if his lawyers begged him to.