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Reblogging

  1. timethief
    Member

    @jintyinky

    I thought you might be interested in this. It's a summary of the limitations of fair use from Jonathan Baileys article here http://www.blogherald.com/2008/02/18/the-limitations-of-fair-use/

    1. Focus on commentary and criticism: Make sure that you are using the work to talk about it. Using a passage from a book to review it, quoting from an essay to rebut it or showing a clip from a TV show to comment on it are all likely fair uses.

    2. Use as little of the work as possible: Use short quotes when practical and only thumbnails of images. Really hone in on what you need to use and leave out anything you don’t.

    3. Attribute obsessively: Always make sure that you attribute the works you use, not just to help strengthen your point, but to show good faith. Though not always important to a fair use argument, it discourages any potential conflicts before they happen.

    4. Focus on transformation: Finally, and most importantly, make sure that your use of the work does not replace the original, but expands upon it. When using someone else’s work, as yourself the question “Do people, after seeing my use of the content, have a reason to view the original?” If the answer is no, then the use is much more questionable than it would be otherwise.

    When TSP reblogged my post the result was 75 words from the beginning of the post and a thumbnail image. My copyright in part states: " “A brief excerpt of content (up to 50 words) may be quoted as long as a link is provided back to the source page on this blog and the authorship is correctly attributed.” The full page can be viewed here > http://onecoolsitebloggingtips.com/copyright/

    He was not able to select any specific excerpt. The software selected the first 75 words of text form my post. The space allowed for his unique contribution was provided above the reblogged excerpt which was properly attributed BTW.

    The position being taken by wordpress.com appears to be that their reblogging feature does fall within the parameters of Fair Use. This announcement was made on June 1dt and it's now June 4th. We are not singing the song they want to hear and IMHO this is a lost cause.

    I believe that where it stands is that those who do not like the feature can:
    purchase a CSS upgrade and remove the unwanted feature;
    make their blogs private;
    or leave wordpress.com.

  2. jintyinky
    Member

    Thanks @timethief for all that, that's very interesting. I can't change my mind about this reblogging feature, it's a downward slide for blogging from here on in. If i wanted to spread my content with ease i'd put it on Facebook (which i don't do). As i said earlier, unfortunately the opt out for me is to leave WordPress, because making a blog private is like going out in the rain with an umbrella and not using it- it's pointless. Thanks again for the info.

  3. sonofbruce
    Member

    For the record, I have a couple blogs on WordPress.com where I will be pleased to let people reblog content, and if my main blog were posted here, I wouldn't block it there, either. The two sites I mentioned in this thread where I have blocked it (and/or the admin bar as a whole) each represent a case where the author or authors expect additional copyright protection, and it's lucky that I'd already purchased CSS modification. If not, I'd be as put out as the other posters in this thread. So even though I recognize the value of the the feature for many styles of blogging, I do think y'all goofed by not giving us the ability to opt-out. To me, the thing that distinguished WordPress.com from, say, Facebook is that it's not some bland, one-site-fits-all McBlogger platform. It saddens me to see you moving in that direction.

  4. devblog
    Member

    You guys do know you're beating a dead horse, right?

  5. justjennifer
    Member

    Probably.

  6. andrew
    Member

    @d, social media and dead horses go together like... a (live) horse and carriage.

    This seems like as good a time as any to state that I don't like the reblog feature, but don't see it as a big deal either.

  7. raincoaster
    Member

    It certainly has room for improvement:

    - a "reblog trail" like Tumblr has can't be that difficult (I know them, and they're not geniuses)

    - 75 words is a LOT, so I believe that could be reduced

    - perhaps a fourth Privacy setting "no reblogs" could be added, although it would be misleading because anybody could reblog manually, just as we've all done up until about three days ago, when the feature was introduced.

    I'm certainly NOT going to apologize for acquainting people with their legal rights, even if certain bloggers don't like it.

  8. sonofbruce
    Member

    @devblog Errol Morris had some thoughts about that:
    http://www.errolmorris.com/content/reexaminations/reexaminations3.html

  9. arifsali
    Member

    So instead of beating the dead horse, I thought I check the blogger after what seems like a hundred years. Their draft.blogger.com has some super awesome goodies (I think Techcrunch woke me up to this today, I'm still a WP.com fellow).

  10. devblog
    Member

    I understand where you guys are coming from, but I was just saying based on past experiences here at wp.com. Other volunteers that have been in these forums as long as I have know that once the "WP Masters" say no/yes to something... there's nothing us "commoners" can do to change their minds.

    Some people may move their blogs to another platform, but their numbers are (really) small compared to those who sign up every day... Hence the gods don't care about how the mortals think/feel about a feature...

    Again, I'm just saying.

    I liked the reexaminations, btw.

  11. panaghiotisadam
    Member

    @devblog:

    "You guys do know you're beating a dead horse, right?"

    Probably, but I'm allergic to fallacious arguments.

  12. panaghiotisadam
    Member

    @apeatling:

    You wrote:
    "Yes, it includes a thumbnail of the first image, no it does not include audio or video or other shortcode objects. Why not try it first?"

    Check my posts on themes ( http://wpbtips.wordpress.com/category/themes/ ) and tell me if it looks like I don't try features... The splog post does include audio or video (if the shortcode is at or near the beginning of the post, as I already wrote after I tried it) - why don't you try it first?

    You also wrote:
    "I'm only seeing around 30 unique posters on this thread concerned with reblogging, out of multiple millions of WordPress.com users."

    Did you ask all those multiple millions? Do you know how many of them have tried or even noticed the feature? I'm only seeing around 30 against and around 200 for (commenting on your announcement). So you only have a sample of those millions, and the sample says 15% would like an opt-out. In my opinion, 15% should be enough to make you consider the request, or at least give us a plausible reason why you reject it, instead of trying to convince us with bad argument after bad argument.

    (By the way, if you told me you've reached the decision that's best for your business and I should shut up because it's your business, not mine, I would have absolutely no objection.)

  13. tfockler60
    Member

    I have remained silent on this issue until now because I wanted to make sure that a) fully understood the function of this new addition, b) wanted to see what the response would be from WP to those who have objected or requested the "opt out" feature to be added, and c) to hear what an actually copywrite attorney had to say about this because I have had for years a "legal" copy-write on ALL my works both written (I am a published author) and visual (paintings, drawings and photographs) as much of what I do provides part of my income. So I will take this from the beginning.

    A) I understand this feature allows an individual to copy and use a set number of words (what WordPress is calling "snippets) and or visuals (pictures, in thumbnail versions) from anyone's blog and "repost" it on their own blog. That FIRST "repost" provides links back and attributes to the ORIGINAL AUTHOR, but any further "repost" of that same content DOES NOT contain those items.

    LEGALLY: Under ALL copy-write laws the use of any PORTION of someone else work used by another individual, unless written permission is given and proper attributes included is COPY-WRITE ENFRINGMENT and punishable by law.

    B) WordPress is taking the stand that this falls under the "Fair Use Act" and that providing a "opt out" feature is an IMPLIED GUARENTEE that your blog is PROTECTED. Neither is TRUE.

    The "FAIR USE ACT" REQUIRES one to CLEARLY IDENTIFY the original source, author and any other attributes for ANY portion of someones else work that they may use be it for profit or not. This includes "snippets" and "thumbnails". The fact that this information is not retained past the FIRST REPOST violates this ruling!

    There is NO LEGAL PRECIDENT to say that offering a "opt out" is a GUARENTEE of protection for anyone. As with any contract, an "opt out" clause is a stand-alone clause and simply provides for the owner the right to say NO I do not want to participate, with the clear understanding that they are afforded NO GUARENTEES if they do so. It is then left up to them to PROTECT themselves, through legal recourse should the need arise. The provided option they offer to make your blog "private" defeats the stated purpose of the site. and the suggestion to PURCHASE the CSS upgrade could be seen as "bait and switch" since they tout the fact they are a FREE SITE, but are now making changes that require the user to BUY options that will afford them the content they originally were given for free.

    c) I was advised by the attorney to REMOVE ALL CONTENT on my site here until such a time as I was given the option of "opting out" of this feature. I was also advised to post the following on my Blog instead.

    ALL works here be it Text or Visual ARE COPY-WRITE PROTECTED and NO PERMISSION is given to ANYONE to RE-POST, COPY, DISTRIBUTE, PUBLISH or in any other manner USE for either personal use or profit without WRITTEN CONSENT from the owner. Failure to do will result in LEGAL ACTION for both the individuals taking the content and WordPress for making it accessible through the use of their new "repost feature" which DOES NOT provide for more than a "first tier" protection to the ORIGINAL AUTHOR by stripping the attributes from all subsequent "reposts".

    Finally, When I joined WordPress it was because it was described as a "BLOGGING COMMUNITY' not a 'SOCIAL WEBSITE". There is a HUGE difference in these two terms. As a Blogging Community I compare it to an "on-line journal" that allows me to share with others MY thoughts, and visuals while allowing them to COMMENT on the content, NOT a place for them to take what I post and use it as they like.

    As of this moment I am not sure what I am going to do with this. But I can tell you that I am not as eager to post or encourage other to join as I once was. I would gladly accept the "opt out' option as a FAIR COMPROMISE but I really don't see that happening at this point given WordPress's Stand on this issue.

    Thats my 2cents and opinion...take it as you will.

  14. bokunosekai
    Member

    @apeatling One of my friends just found out about this reblog thing but she said nothing at all in here because she doesn't like to fight. Other friends of mine don't speak English well so she doesn't speak here either.

    You do know that not all WP blogger can speak English...so how can you simply said only small amount of US is disagreeing in this?

    What we want is only an opt-out, we do not ask you to delete the feature, yes some people might like it but there are also others who don't like it...So why can you listen to this other voice? why only please the other side?

  15. arifsali
    Member

    I find the argument from apeatling rather amusing. There is a big difference between the number of comments you get at the WP news stream versus here at the support forum. Majority of people don't even come here unless they break something. How absurd is to compare the number versus the quality? The people here complaining about the lack of choice are the pro bloggers and those who are really concerned. There are many people among your user base who don't even know the difference.

  16. tfockler60
    Member

    ROFLMAO.. now this is a PRICELESS reply by the KeyMaster Apeatling:

    "How did you come to this conclusion? I'm only seeing around 30 unique posters on this thread concerned with reblogging, out of multiple millions of WordPress.com users."

    Sir, please provide me with documentation to show the following information:

    1. The "verifiable" number of total users who are aware of this option at this time.
    2. The "verifiable" number of total users who have no objection to this option.
    3. The "verifiable" number of total users who even know that there are Forums
    discussiung this, let alone how to find them.

    Please excuse me but I find your above reply both arrogent and condecending. Given the people here who ARE expressing concern and DISLIKE over this feature and their long standing histories with WordPress, I can comfortable say even as a "new user" that if you have 30 people with this opinion who are among the most well know users here in the support forums and the blog commuity, and they are all objecting to this as well as asking for an "opt out" option then statistically your batting about a 70% DISAPPROVAL RATE. From a business stand point...THATS FAILURE!

  17. nicrobliz
    Member

    And there are many members who are against this new feature but are, for now, following the discussion on this thread. I've detected a concerning trend here recently, in terms of disregarding the opinions of WP users. First, it was the recent changes made to the Vigilance theme and now this.

    Neither of these cases have provided the chance for members to opt-out, let alone allowing members to voice their opinions BEFORE the changes were made. Personally, events over the last few days have left me very disillusioned with WP (and I've only been a member for two weeks!). As for my blog, unless there is some significant (and positive) development, I prefer to leave it unfinished gathering dust...

  18. ludusnaturae
    Member

    This thread has got a high level for my poor English, but I just want to leave here another thought about the item:

    "This feature promotes creativity: If you like a post, you don't need to write anything on comments, just press a button. Even an illiterate can do it.
    And you can make an entire blog without write at all, just pressing two buttons. With this feature even an ape can learn to make a blog!"

    The responses from the engineer are really fallacious. If they want to feed a mass of imitators without nothing to tell and get us out of here, they are in their right, of course.
    By now I left translations and help in forums (also Spanish one) and cut my personal blog to minimum.
    Galician bloggers in WordPress.com we have good alternatives to leave this platform. We are a little percentage, that is true.

  19. bokunosekai
    Member

    I'm currently asking a lot of information on self hosting blog. I really can't accept this feature...the burden is just TOO heavy. the only choice remains is to leave :(

    I hate moving out because I do love WP.

  20. webmistress27
    Member

    First time seeing this feature, I played around with it a little earlier, i reblogged a post and then felt like it should'nt have done it so i deleted the post...what i noticed though was it had in the tile who it was originally from which is extremely cool (always credit your source), however i'de wonder if that is editable or not. Not so cool if it can be edited.

  21. phoxis
    Member

    " Because a huge mass wants to reblog others post, but doesn't want theirs to be reblogged. "

    How did you come to this conclusion? I'm only seeing around 30 unique posters on this thread concerned with reblogging, out of multiple millions of WordPress.com users.

    What i mean by this is : If you introduce the disable reblog option, and people become aware of that feature, then probably a major part of them will disable this, because they would like to reblog others post and do not want their own's to be reblogged.

    And you are convinced that a majority of the people except these 30 persons like this reblogging feature, then after introducing a disable option they will not use it to disable (because hypothetically they likes the feature) . Then introducing this feature will keep everybody in wp.com happy

    Another point: "copy-pasting was always there" now if copy-pasting and blogging like that was always there, and in that logic reblog does not matter; then why not the converse (if copy-pasting equals reblog then why need of reblog ?), which renders reblogging redundant. This is a supply creates demand matter, actually a more proprietary organizations like feature. Like MS, Apple etc, introducing new features and giving them a cool name and creating a hype.

  22. panaghiotisadam
    Member

    @webmistress27: You can delete that right there in the title box, before you click Publish. Once you publish the thing, you can edit it like any other post and delete the link to the original blog as well. And (since staff have been telling us you don't get the whole image, you just get a thumbnail) you can switch your editor to HTML, delete the proper part of the image code and have the full-sized image again.

  23. phoxis
    Member

    apeatling said ...

    Yes, it includes a thumbnail of the first image, no it does not include audio or video or other shortcode objects. Why not try it first?

    in my test blog it included the first video which i reblogged from a random blog

  24. feartheseeds
    Member

    apeatling: "I'm only seeing around 30 unique posters on this thread concerned with reblogging, out of multiple millions of WordPress.com users."

    This is silly for a lot of reasons... one of the lesser ones being I've got three accounts, and twelve registered blogs, so how many "pro opt-in / opt-out" votes does that give me?

    This feature is crying out for a fix, and there's a simple CSS fix available to people who can afford the CSS Upgrade, and those who know how to code. How complicated could it possibly be to make that CSS fix available to everyone using WordPress.com?

    The continuing resistance to such a simple change is bizarre... even the "Related Links" has an opt-in / out option, and I believe that option only came after people complained about seeing their blog links showing up on other blogs -- but I may not be remembering that last part correctly.

  25. feartheseeds
    Member

    ...I was wrong, the "related links" feature was introduced with an "opt-out" feature, but the default was "opt-in".

    I do remember very clearly the Forums being full of people trying to find out how to turn it off.

  26. sanjidas
    Member

    Important especially for art bloggers and photo bloggers:

    It is claimed that wordpress Reblogs use only use thumbnails, ie: not the full image.
    That is so not true!!

    WordPress reblogs use ORIGINAL large images and shrinks them by adding image attribute tags.

    That means a reblogged image can easily be seen full-size (and available for copying) without having to go to the post where it was originally posted.

    I don't think art bloggers and photo bloggers who don't want full-size images to be available anywhere else other than in their own blog will be too happy about it.

  27. tfockler60
    Member

    You know there is an old saying that maybe the "gods" here who introduced this feature should consider...

    IF IT AIN'T BROKE...DON'T FIX IT!

    Personally I like my grandmothers wisdom far better...

    A BOX OF POOP WRAPPED UP IN PRETTY PAPER AND BOWS IS STILL JUST A BOX OF POOP!

    When you have to try so hard to convice so many that this is a "good thing" and then back up that logic with blatant lies...Well that should tell you something.

  28. gruebler
    Member

    As far as I am concerned reblogging is just an easier way of quoting another blog. Whether it is appropriate to do is a question of fair use and netiquette but I won't say the arisings legal problems differ much from copy/paste. It just facilitates recommending another blog and provides for decent attribution.

    Quick Press allows you to comment on the reblogged post. Fair use - at least in some jurisdictions - only allows free use if you comment on the quote, i.e. create your own content. Reblogging with easy press allows you to do so. If a blogger doen't, it's not a technical issue but lack of respect for other peoples' work.

    What I like is that the reblogging feature tries to show the original blog post as it is so it just acts as a teaser the reblogged blog. It does not differ that much (although 75 words is a lot) from someone posting your blog on facebook. Attribution is included and that is a good thing.

    When I tried the new i like/reblog tool, I experienced some technical issues directly affecting the attribution of the reblogged post. I saved the reblogged post as drafts and title and visible attribution (via: blogname.wordpress.com) of the reblogged blog post got lost on the way. Only the "read more" link was kept in place. That is a problem, as the needed attribution to the original source got lost (of course I re-added it by hand once I realised the bug).

  29. phoxis
    Member

    As far as I am concerned reblogging is just an easier way of quoting another blog.

    Quoting a blog within some other blog post is okay (with permissions), but making that quote a main post with a heading by default is i think not a good idea.

    Whether it is appropriate to do is a question of fair use and netiquette but I won't say the arisings legal problems differ much from copy/paste.

    Copy paste have legal problems, and this reblogging is a tool to make a copy paste, so the issue is not different. But the ease of copying makes difference, just like it makes difference when one community has easy access to some particular thing, and one does not. Gets misused. And those who think that this is a good feature and they should use it, its okay because all people will not have the same opinion, thats natural, but the people not willing to use it should also given a chance.

    It just facilitates recommending another blog and provides for decent attribution.</blockquotes>
    splogs also do that.

  30. phoxis
    Member

    As far as I am concerned reblogging is just an easier way of quoting another blog.

    Quoting a blog snippet is okay (with permissions) but, making that snippet the main post , i think is not something which everybody would like.

    Whether it is appropriate to do is a question of fair use and netiquette but I won't say the arisings legal problems differ much from copy/paste.

    reblogging is nothing but a tool for copy pasting. Easy access to some thing makes that thing get used more, and more appropriately misused more. So it makes some difference. Some may not want to make any copies of any portion of the post. This tool indirectly encourages it. The people who likes this feature should continue using it, but those who doesnot want this, should also be given a chance.

    It just facilitates recommending another blog and provides for decent attribution.

    Splogs also do that (misuse).

    The difference in keeping reblogging and removing it is as it is in keeping a retweet button in a post and not keeping it. Both cases everyone can retweet. But keeping the one click button would get more people to tweet it. Which many people doesnot like.

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