Slashdot Mirror
White House Claims Copyright On Flickr Photos
Hugh Pickens writes "US government policy is that photos produced by federal employees as part of their job responsibilities are not subject to copyright in the US. But Kathy Gill writes that after originally putting official White House photos in the public domain, since January the Obama White House has been asserting that no one but 'news organizations' can use its Flickr photos taken by the official White House photographer, who is a US government employee. This change appears to be a heavy-handed response to last month's controversy resulting from a billboard that implied the President endorsed The Weatherproof Garment Co. after the company used an AP photo of the president for a Times Square billboard. However a New York law already protects individuals from unauthorized use of their image for advertising, and the billboard was quickly taken down. Gill writes, 'Whatever the reason, the assertion of these "rights" seems to be in direct contrast to official government policy and is certainly in direct contrast to reasonable expectations by the public, given that the photos are being produced with taxpayer (i.e., public) money. Ironically, the same Flickr page that claims (almost exclusive) copyright also links to the US copyright policy statement.'"
Do you think this would have prevented Chia Obama https://www.chiaobama.com/flare/next or Obama Fingers http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,612684,00.html?
Nothing has to be done. In the past, most presidents have simply ignored things like this. Obama has a very thin skin, and this is more evidence. The president should be above such things, and for example should not be responding to talk show personalities either directly or through any staffers. Obama apparently has not been in politics to learn how to deal with criticism properly.
I still cannot find the droids I am looking for...
"So, how is that Hopey Changey thing workin' out for you?"
I dunno, Ms. Palin, how's that r-word campaign working out for ya?
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
Read the flicker statement. There's no full copyright, only a 'don't use this image for commercial gain' - which is standard. Usual political BS from an obvious republican shill. Pathetic that no-one on /. fact checked for a second, instead of regurgitating the BS.
Yep, sounds like a great idea to deny property rights to people when they're famous enough. Totally equitable. Uh huh.