Is it copyright infringement?

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 9:06am

Is it copyright infringement to read a children's book on television to millions of people?

Last night Texas Senator Ted Cruz read the Dr Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham" to his children on television as part of his filibuster (although not being classified technically as a filibuster).

Maybe it depends on the political view of the copyright holder?

[Jane2]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 9:42am

Copyright infringement includes the right to "perform the copyrighted work." We see lots of copyrighted work being performed, so I'm guessing that permission is granted.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 9:49am

Dr. Seuss's camp can be very borderline antagonistic about copyright infringement. Almost as bad as Disney.

[jnb9872]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 10:19am

The best part about this is that Green Eggs and Ham is about a very stubborn man who vehemently, loudly and publicly resists something until at the very end he tries it and discovers that he likes it.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 10:25am

I'm impressed. I thought it would have been above his reading level.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 10:43am

jnb...obviously the moral of the story was not understood by Mr Cruz.

Maybe he should try Obamacare cause he might like it? HA

Too bad ALL politicians weren't ON the health plans that all Americans have to chose from instead of the Cadillac plans they are handed.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 10:43am

I can't imagine he obtained permission from the copyright holder, so yes, his public performance would be an infringement. At least, I can't see why it wouldn't be.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 10:46am

Well then wouldn't any librarian reading this book to a group of kids at the library be copyright infringement?

[Wynbish]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 10:57am

I do know that libraries can get in trouble for printing Cat in the Hat coloring sheets without the copyright acknowledgement on them.

I think librarians reading the books and maybe even this senator's performance could fall under Fair Use.

Updated On: 9/25/13 at 10:57 AM

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:04am

Photocopying the work is definitely illegal. Just like photocopying sheet music for a choir to perform is also illegal. And yes, they have to obtain rights.

As for public library readings or book club readings (or just reading to a group of kids in your home)? I'm really not sure. I guess the issue is the definition of "public performance." (Paid? Unpaid? Professional? Amateur? Location?) I've never (ever) heard of anyone pressing charges for a book reading, but that doesn't mean it isn't protected under the law.

As for the "on television" part, they are protected because they're journalists (and I use that term loosely). However, I'm pretty sure, even for journalistic coverage, you are not allowed to print or show the entire thing. Just a segment of it before it would qualify as a copyright violation.

Updated On: 9/25/13 at 11:04 AM

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:04am

Jordan, the librarian would probably get in trouble if the reading was broadcast.

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:07am

He should stick to public domain works.

I would love it if the Seuss estate pressed charges. LOL

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:19am

He could legally perform an excerpt but not the the entire work.

[tazber]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:21am

Well he was just reading anything he could find. At one point he actually read the Apple license agreement (you know, that long thing we all just click that we've read even though we haven't).

Which begs the question: why was there a copy of Green Eggs and Ham in the Senate?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:23am

According to the senator, it is one of the bedtime stories he read to his kids. At 8:00pm, he stopped what he was doing and transitioned to reading two bedtime stories because his children were watching. So he clearly had that prepared.

He's still going, by the way. I could never imagine standing in the same place for 18+ hours.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 11:35am

If you hated the idea of people having health care enough, you would.

[wonkit]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 5:14pm

As someone who was just notified that the previously stable cost of my prescription drug coverage is going up 8% as of January 1, I suggest you taste the Obamacare soup before you comment on its flavor.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 5:28pm

As the former director of the HHS exchange stated in an interview recently, "There will always be losers and winners with a new policy like this. But I still support it." Yes that is typically the case in life. But for the former Director of the exchange to admit this and embrace it? Terrifying.

I happen to be a fan of the single payer system and hope we can eventually get there. The ACA is a poorly constructed and managed attempt to put a band-aid on a bullet hole. Our healthcare system is a completely broken system and by this man's own admission, some will lose and some will "win" with the ACA. So... do we become content with that notion or do we strive to further improve the ACA and find a better solution?

I know what my answer would be.

ETA: I should addd that I do appreciate the Administration's attempt to improve and provide healthcare for all. I just don't think the final result was a good one. Updated On: 9/25/13 at 05:28 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 5:47pm

Obamacare is far from a perfect solution.

But the idea of standing still and doing absolutely nothing (except reading children's books) and preventing anything from happening is unthinkable.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 5:57pm

Completely agree with that particular notion, Besty. I wish Republicans weren't so damn stubborn. Many aspects of the ACA are fine. Use that as the shell and just retool the guts of it. Democrats have expressed a willingness -- sincerity not yet determined -- to compromise and do just that!!

[Wildcard]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 6:07pm

He's a Tea Partier. Of course he doesn't care about any laws.

[morosco]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 7:21pm

Interesting article...
When A Senator Reads 'Green Eggs & Ham' On The Floor, What About The Copyright?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 8:22pm

I've never heard of the Speech and Debate Clause being applied to Copyright.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/25/13 at 8:22pm

Double post

Updated On: 9/25/13 at 08:22 PM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 9/26/13 at 2:27am

Random House could bring a claim with or without the Geisel estate and I wish they would. You may not broadcast copyrighted material without the consent of the owners, period.