I recently wrote a rant on this subject called R-E-S-P-E-C-T that references Tad Crawford's article "Influence vs. Infringement."
I like Tad Crawford's article very much, but I also believe that their are certain nuances of Web design where traditional copyright laws may not directly apply. Crawford writes:
"Design certainly informs culture which in its myriad diffusions casts the spell of influence. I don't think of that kind of influence as plagiarism and it certainly isn't copyright infringement."
I think this is an important point in this article which shouldn't be overlooked. The Web is a communications medium affecting our culture in profound ways we have yet to discover, and I think a designer needs to view issues of copyright from a new perspective (which I address in my rant). I am a professional designer and have been for many years, yet I consider myself a netizen as well.
For me, anyway, it all boils down to respect for each other, and the contributions we all make to build a better medium.
Absolutely...and this applies to web sites as well as programs. One of the things that really bugs me is when people take a site (or code) and just help themselves. It's amazing how many people assume permission.
Sometimes when people have permission (as in the case of work for hire) they still should ask. Simple respect for the original work is the fundamental issue in this day and age, not legal nitpicking over license terms.
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webchick
I like Tad Crawford's article very much, but I also believe that their are certain nuances of Web design where traditional copyright laws may not directly apply. Crawford writes:
"Design certainly informs culture which in its myriad diffusions casts the spell of influence. I don't think of that kind of influence as plagiarism and it certainly isn't copyright infringement."
I think this is an important point in this article which shouldn't be overlooked. The Web is a communications medium affecting our culture in profound ways we have yet to discover, and I think a designer needs to view issues of copyright from a new perspective (which I address in my rant). I am a professional designer and have been for many years, yet I consider myself a netizen as well.
For me, anyway, it all boils down to respect for each other, and the contributions we all make to build a better medium.
webchick
Absolutely...and this applies to web sites as well as programs. One of the things that really bugs me is when people take a site (or code) and just help themselves. It's amazing how many people assume permission.
Sometimes when people have permission (as in the case of work for hire) they still should ask. Simple respect for the original work is the fundamental issue in this day and age, not legal nitpicking over license terms.
webchick