Is it copyright infringement?

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Is it copyright infringement?

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?

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

"It does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are 20 gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg." -- Thomas Jefferson

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

Is it copyright infringement?

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?

Is it copyright infringement?

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

#10

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

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

#11

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

#12

Is it copyright infringement?

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

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#13

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

#14

Is it copyright infringement?

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?

....but the world goes 'round

#15

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

#16

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

#17

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

#18

Is it copyright infringement?

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

#19

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#20

Is it copyright infringement?

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!!

#21

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

#22

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

#23

Is it copyright infringement?

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

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

#24

Is it copyright infringement?

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

Double post

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

#25

Is it copyright infringement?

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.

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