Camera club

PSA Journal, Sept, 2004 by Eleanor Edmonds

Bulletin Editors:

Rounding up appropriate, interesting material to augment routine information in a club newsletter can be daunting sometimes. Member-written contributions, other bulletins, newspapers, magazines, and books are valuable sources for such material. However, using anything that would violate the doctrine of fair use that applies to copyrighted material must be avoided. What does that mean?

Under the "fair use" provision of copyright law, writers legally may quote, without permission, a modest portion of copyrighted information if it is for the purpose of news reporting, analysis, or review. The material must not be taken out of context, the source must be credited, the amount used must not exceed 3% of the original, and the usage must not affect the possible market for the material. Publishing brief excerpts, quotes, or a drawing from another bulletin should be no problem. Publishing without permission a feature article or a photograph that originally appeared in another club newsletter would be tempting controversy arising from infringement.

Most contributors to club newsletters usually aren't overly concerned about copyright issues. They're pleased when their work is appreciated and printed elsewhere. However, a copyright symbol, (c), placed at an author's or photographer's name in the credit is a reminder that indicates the rights for publication elsewhere are retained by the author or photographer, and permission to reprint is required.

Final word: Be wary of "lifting" material in toto from other camera club newsletters for inclusion in your club bulletin.

Eleanor Edmonds, A PSA Bulletin Advisory Service

Matt Daura, APSA, Editor 121 Phanturn, Bellaire, TX 77401 datex121@aol.com