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Law, Ethics, and Social Media:
A Primer on Copyright Law, Fair
     Use, and Defamation
       in a Digital World


                Dr. Matt J. Duffy
             Adjunct Professor, GSU
               February 9, 2013
Mission Statement
• To give you practical information that can help
  you make good decisions related to your
  digital communications




                                     Photo by Lougan Manzke
You can be sued for libel on…
•   Twitter
•   Facebook
•   Pinterest
•   Tumblr
•   Youtube
•   Anywhere anything is “disseminated”
    – But know your rights
Defamation
• The US Supreme Court has said that “in the
  context of defamation law, the rights of the
  institutional media are no greater and no less
  than those enjoyed by other individuals and
  organizations engaged in the same
  activities.”
Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. v.
Greenmoss Builders (1985)


                                         Photo by Arbyreed
Defamation
• US defamation law is among world’s best
  in protecting wide latitude for speech
                             NY Times vs. Sullivan, 1964
• Generally, 3 things needed to prove libel:
  – Statement was false
  – Statement was disseminated
  – Statement caused injury
• So, just make sure what you’re
  saying/publishing/blogging is true…

                                              Photo by OZinOH
What about opinions?
• In general opinions are more protected
• But, opinions stated as facts are not
                           Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co., 1990

• “I think” or “I believe” better than no qualifier

• But, don’t fret too much…



                                        Photo by A River Runs Through
Because lots of speech is protected
• Making a list of “Top 10 Dumbasses” was
  ruled as protected speech in California
  – Just an expression of contempt, not factual
    meaning
• Parody is completely protected
  – Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988)
• Public figures harder to libel than private
  figures – should be open to more criticism
  – NY Times vs. Sullivan
Specific examples (from EFF.org)
• Ruled as Libelous
  –   Charging someone with being a communist (in 1959)
  –   Calling an attorney a "crook"
  –   Describing a woman as a call girl
  –   Accusing a minister of unethical conduct
• Ruled as not-libelous:
  – Calling a political foe a "thief" and "liar" in chance
    encounter (because hyperbole in context)
  – Calling a TV show participant a "local loser," "chicken
    butt" and "big skank"
  – Calling someone a "bitch" or a "son of a bitch"
  – Changing product code name from "Carl Sagan" to
    "Butt Head Astronomer”
Defamation
• Strong protections for republishing: Section
  230 of Communications Decency Act provides
  cover for “intermediaries” who republish
  – Very strong protections for…
  – Retweeting, Tumblr, Sharing on Facebook
Venting tweets?
• “Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was
  bad for you? Horizon Realty thinks it’s okay.”
               – Illinois woman tweeted to 30 people
• Horizon sued for $50,000
• Local judge summarily dismissed case, so no
  precedent
What about reviews?
• Va. contractor filed $750,000
  defamation suit over YELP review
• “Member comments: My home was damaged' the "work" had
  to be re-accomplished; and Dietz tried to sue me for "monies
  due for his "work." I won in summary judgement (meaning
  that his case had no merit). Despite his claims, Dietz was/is
  not licensed to perform work in the state of VA. Further, he
  invoiced me for work not even performed and also sued me
  for work not even performed. Today (six months later) he just
  showed up at my door and '"wanted to talk to me." I said that
  I "didn't want to talk to him," closed the door , and called the
  police. (The police said his reason was that he had a "lien on
  my house"; however this "lien" was made null and void the
  day I won the case according to the court.) This is after filing
  my first ever police report when I found my jewelry missing
  and Dietz was the only one with a key. Bottom line do not put
  yourself through this nightmare of a contractor.”
Fair Comment and Criticism
• In 1903, the Cherry Sisters
  performance was ridiculed
  in Des Moines Leader
  Newspaper
• “… the mouths of their
  rancid features opened
  like caverns and sounds
  like the wailings of
  damned souls issued
  therefrom.”                   Source: Rootsweb
Fair Comment and Criticism
“A public performance may be discussed
with the fullest freedom, and may be
subject to hostile criticism…”
              Cherry vs. Des Moines Leader (1903)
Other lawsuits
• San Francisco man sued by chiropractor after
  review accused biz of over-charging him.
  Settled out of court.
• Chicago plastic surgeon sued 3 women in 2010
  after they wrote online accusations that he
  gave them disfigured and misshapen breasts.
• D.C. pilates studio sues over review that said
  place smelled like mildew, staff unfriendly
  – Last two cases not settled yet
Fun group activity time!
• Get into small groups no larger than 4 people
• Read over examples I’m distributing
• Debate whether you think the person would
  win or lose the case
• Be prepared to defend your answers!
• (5 to 10 minutes)
Georgia Anti-SLAPP law
• Strategic Lawsuit
  Against Public
  Participation
• In brief, Georgia Statute
  provides limited relief
  for people sued while
  discussing a public issue
• Allows libel lawsuits to
  be summarily dismissed
Copyright
• Copyright power granted in US Constitution
  “promote the progress of science and the
  useful arts.”
• “Copyright exists from the moment the work
  is created.”
  – But must register to sue for infringement
  – Adding © helps
Copyright
• Important to society – must allow authors to
  benefit from their work
• But, much of copyright law written in different
  era
• Boundaries still being explored
• Some call for wholesale rewriting of law
• Worry that corporations are making
  copyrights last too long, too burdensome
  – “Mickey Mouse” copyright extension act of 1998
Artwork and copyright
• Not OK (ethically, probably legally) to just
  Google images and put them on your website,
  presentations
• Don’t know if they are protected by copyright
  – Instead, try Flickr. Here’s how
  – Search for “some rights reserved” photos
  – Or free stock photography
• But, that said, …
Fair use and copyright
• Copyright law states that “fair use...for
  purposes such as criticism, comment,
  news reporting, teaching (including
  multiple copies for classroom use),
  scholarship, or research, is not an
  infringement of copyright.”
• Copyrights shouldn’t be overprotected
Fair use guidelines
• Purpose and character of the use.
  – Transformative more than just a copy
• Nature of the copyrighted work.
  – Unpublished more protected
• Amount and substantiality of the portion
  used.
  – Copying nearly all of a work, or copying its "heart"
    is less likely to be fair.
• Effect on the market or potential market.
  – Most important factor. In short, did your
    borrowing cost someone else money?
What else is allowed?
• Anything US government
  makes is in public domain (not
  protected by copyright)
• Facts are not copyrightable,
  just ideas
  –So you can copy facts from
   another site, just not their
   exact words and structure
What else is allowed?
• Creative Commons – “some rights
  reserved”
  – Generally allows for copying as long
    credit given
• Publicity photos
  – Generally not copyright
    enforceable since original
    intent was dissemination
• So, you know, don’t go
  too crazy
Linking and scraping
• Linking: Always OK
• Scraping: Cutting and pasting someone
  else’s copy on their website
  – illegal violation of copyright
• Officially, sites like Pinterest are illegal
  because you’re copying others photos
  and putting them on your site. But…
• Don’t forget to watermark your images
GSU digital reserve case
• Publishers sued after profs put
  sections of books in electronic
  reserves for students
• GSU won 95% of lawsuit, big loss for
  publishers
• Basically, court ruled that providing less than
  10% of book fit within fair use standard
• Effect on market was big – publishers won few
  instances where e-version available to buy
The End!
• Any questions?
• Presentation available at:
  – www.mattjduffy.com
• Twitter: @mattjduffy




                               Matt J. Duffy
                               Georgia State

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Law, Ethics, and Social Media: A Primer on Copyright Law, Fair Use, and Defamation in a Digital World | SoCon13

  • 1. Law, Ethics, and Social Media: A Primer on Copyright Law, Fair Use, and Defamation in a Digital World Dr. Matt J. Duffy Adjunct Professor, GSU February 9, 2013
  • 2. Mission Statement • To give you practical information that can help you make good decisions related to your digital communications Photo by Lougan Manzke
  • 3. You can be sued for libel on… • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • Tumblr • Youtube • Anywhere anything is “disseminated” – But know your rights
  • 4. Defamation • The US Supreme Court has said that “in the context of defamation law, the rights of the institutional media are no greater and no less than those enjoyed by other individuals and organizations engaged in the same activities.” Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. v. Greenmoss Builders (1985) Photo by Arbyreed
  • 5. Defamation • US defamation law is among world’s best in protecting wide latitude for speech NY Times vs. Sullivan, 1964 • Generally, 3 things needed to prove libel: – Statement was false – Statement was disseminated – Statement caused injury • So, just make sure what you’re saying/publishing/blogging is true… Photo by OZinOH
  • 6. What about opinions? • In general opinions are more protected • But, opinions stated as facts are not Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co., 1990 • “I think” or “I believe” better than no qualifier • But, don’t fret too much… Photo by A River Runs Through
  • 7. Because lots of speech is protected • Making a list of “Top 10 Dumbasses” was ruled as protected speech in California – Just an expression of contempt, not factual meaning • Parody is completely protected – Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988) • Public figures harder to libel than private figures – should be open to more criticism – NY Times vs. Sullivan
  • 8. Specific examples (from EFF.org) • Ruled as Libelous – Charging someone with being a communist (in 1959) – Calling an attorney a "crook" – Describing a woman as a call girl – Accusing a minister of unethical conduct • Ruled as not-libelous: – Calling a political foe a "thief" and "liar" in chance encounter (because hyperbole in context) – Calling a TV show participant a "local loser," "chicken butt" and "big skank" – Calling someone a "bitch" or a "son of a bitch" – Changing product code name from "Carl Sagan" to "Butt Head Astronomer”
  • 9. Defamation • Strong protections for republishing: Section 230 of Communications Decency Act provides cover for “intermediaries” who republish – Very strong protections for… – Retweeting, Tumblr, Sharing on Facebook
  • 10. Venting tweets? • “Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon Realty thinks it’s okay.” – Illinois woman tweeted to 30 people • Horizon sued for $50,000 • Local judge summarily dismissed case, so no precedent
  • 11. What about reviews? • Va. contractor filed $750,000 defamation suit over YELP review • “Member comments: My home was damaged' the "work" had to be re-accomplished; and Dietz tried to sue me for "monies due for his "work." I won in summary judgement (meaning that his case had no merit). Despite his claims, Dietz was/is not licensed to perform work in the state of VA. Further, he invoiced me for work not even performed and also sued me for work not even performed. Today (six months later) he just showed up at my door and '"wanted to talk to me." I said that I "didn't want to talk to him," closed the door , and called the police. (The police said his reason was that he had a "lien on my house"; however this "lien" was made null and void the day I won the case according to the court.) This is after filing my first ever police report when I found my jewelry missing and Dietz was the only one with a key. Bottom line do not put yourself through this nightmare of a contractor.”
  • 12. Fair Comment and Criticism • In 1903, the Cherry Sisters performance was ridiculed in Des Moines Leader Newspaper • “… the mouths of their rancid features opened like caverns and sounds like the wailings of damned souls issued therefrom.” Source: Rootsweb
  • 13. Fair Comment and Criticism “A public performance may be discussed with the fullest freedom, and may be subject to hostile criticism…” Cherry vs. Des Moines Leader (1903)
  • 14. Other lawsuits • San Francisco man sued by chiropractor after review accused biz of over-charging him. Settled out of court. • Chicago plastic surgeon sued 3 women in 2010 after they wrote online accusations that he gave them disfigured and misshapen breasts. • D.C. pilates studio sues over review that said place smelled like mildew, staff unfriendly – Last two cases not settled yet
  • 15. Fun group activity time! • Get into small groups no larger than 4 people • Read over examples I’m distributing • Debate whether you think the person would win or lose the case • Be prepared to defend your answers! • (5 to 10 minutes)
  • 16. Georgia Anti-SLAPP law • Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation • In brief, Georgia Statute provides limited relief for people sued while discussing a public issue • Allows libel lawsuits to be summarily dismissed
  • 17. Copyright • Copyright power granted in US Constitution “promote the progress of science and the useful arts.” • “Copyright exists from the moment the work is created.” – But must register to sue for infringement – Adding © helps
  • 18. Copyright • Important to society – must allow authors to benefit from their work • But, much of copyright law written in different era • Boundaries still being explored • Some call for wholesale rewriting of law • Worry that corporations are making copyrights last too long, too burdensome – “Mickey Mouse” copyright extension act of 1998
  • 19. Artwork and copyright • Not OK (ethically, probably legally) to just Google images and put them on your website, presentations • Don’t know if they are protected by copyright – Instead, try Flickr. Here’s how – Search for “some rights reserved” photos – Or free stock photography • But, that said, …
  • 20. Fair use and copyright • Copyright law states that “fair use...for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.” • Copyrights shouldn’t be overprotected
  • 21. Fair use guidelines • Purpose and character of the use. – Transformative more than just a copy • Nature of the copyrighted work. – Unpublished more protected • Amount and substantiality of the portion used. – Copying nearly all of a work, or copying its "heart" is less likely to be fair. • Effect on the market or potential market. – Most important factor. In short, did your borrowing cost someone else money?
  • 22. What else is allowed? • Anything US government makes is in public domain (not protected by copyright) • Facts are not copyrightable, just ideas –So you can copy facts from another site, just not their exact words and structure
  • 23. What else is allowed? • Creative Commons – “some rights reserved” – Generally allows for copying as long credit given • Publicity photos – Generally not copyright enforceable since original intent was dissemination • So, you know, don’t go too crazy
  • 24. Linking and scraping • Linking: Always OK • Scraping: Cutting and pasting someone else’s copy on their website – illegal violation of copyright • Officially, sites like Pinterest are illegal because you’re copying others photos and putting them on your site. But… • Don’t forget to watermark your images
  • 25. GSU digital reserve case • Publishers sued after profs put sections of books in electronic reserves for students • GSU won 95% of lawsuit, big loss for publishers • Basically, court ruled that providing less than 10% of book fit within fair use standard • Effect on market was big – publishers won few instances where e-version available to buy
  • 26. The End! • Any questions? • Presentation available at: – www.mattjduffy.com • Twitter: @mattjduffy Matt J. Duffy Georgia State