Their readership will drop to 17...

there will be no more links to AP stories in front page articles at LGF.

Its about time we had some good news in here.

That doesn't make sense. When people link to and quote them, they get more traffic. I thought traffic was the only reason for existence . . .

Good move! Both they and Reuters need to go!

there will be no more links to AP stories in front page articles at LGF.

Yeah, AP is on par with "Crazy" Larry Johnson.

I thought they reversed that decision.

Hopefully Reuters will soon make this same decision.

It isn't exactly like they ever have anything that AFP and Reuters don't have too.

Yeah!

Methinks the ap doth protest too much.

So all they'll have reading their stories are those who read the MSM, which means fewer and fewer until they go out of business.

Problem is, AP is actually basically an association of all the newspapers in the US.

AP does have some of their own staff writers, but the bulk of their material is simply stories originally published in a local paper and then "picked up" for nationwide distribution.

Could become problematic, because something that may not seem like an AP story at first may become an AP story shortly thereafter.

re: #6 Beobachter

I thought they reversed that decision.

Apparently not.

Not a bad idea, but kind of difficult to carry out, since the Associated Press is literally everywhere, and many news sites often use sections of AP articles combined with their own reporting.

That's what I was thinking...

How can you post anything "news-worthy" without linking to AP?

re: #13 Charles

Apparently not.

I stand corrected, then.

Laura Ingrams new show is good (though stiff, first day and all). On Fox. Next story... putting captured illegal aliens in jail. Her first question to her guests..."I can't believe this is controversial...."

I heart Laura.

They're still "AssPress", right?

Rush mentioned AP's threat today also. This was after raking them over the coals for other stuff. I think he leaned heavily on LGF today....

What a loss...

Not (except for the unintended "humor" of some of their headlines)

re: #12 zombie

Problem is, AP is actually basically an association of all the newspapers in the US.

AP does have some of their own staff writers, but the bulk of their material is simply stories originally published in a local paper and then "picked up" for nationwide distribution.

Could become problematic, because something that may not seem like an AP story at first may become an AP story shortly thereafter.

Right, it's a boycott without too many teeth. But still, the bad publicity is all good. Heh.

Someone better tell Storagemanager. He/she links a bunch!

The AP is something that would be very hard to boycott. In essence, you would be required to never read (or purchase) a newspaper (not a big deal) and probably not watch TV news. Most big news sites are probably off limits too. So, you must use the other news feeds (e.g. Reuters) to get the basics and then rely on blogs for analysis (assuming you can't do that yourself and that Reuters (or whoever) provides none).

The good old strategy of litigation- if you can't get your critics to shut up, just sue them.

I raise my cup in support.

Let me fix that for you;

re: #7 Alouette Hopefully Reuters al-Reuters will soon make this same decision.

There... that's better.

I'm waitin' to be served with process by AP
I linked to their articles and now they'll sue me
Oh, tell me, how long do I have to wait
You gonna serve me now, or just procrastinate?

--old blues song, updated

re: #12 zombie

Could become problematic, because something that may not seem like an AP story at first may become an AP story shortly thereafter.

Yeah after they wring the real truth out of it, twist it like a pretzel, tweak it , step on it, powder coat it and throw in some cute catch-words...than it becomes an AP story.

Good.

The Dinosaur Media self destructs....Slowly, but surely.

Bring on the acronym humor...

I imagine that if it was the government being heavy handed towards the press like this, we'd hear cries of "fascist!", but since it's the press being heavy handed, then it's okay. Hypocrites.

That's quite a declaration by Mr Johnson. I don't see any comments about how deep that is, not that I could make them. I can guess: 1) CJ has confidence he can pull this off, 2) CJ is confident that he does not need the AP: alternative media is mature enough to ignore them.

Allah AP! Allah AP!

Ooooh, check out this interesting Momail that I got recently:

----------------------------
From: abi a.
Subject: ISLAM - A RELIGION OF SATAN

I want to commend you on such an excellent website. I am a female who turned away from Islam a few years ago, and I cannot put into words the kind of fear, and hate the religion has for women. Its a very masculine religion, and I believe we must all join hands and pray for the irradication and destruction of this brainwashing religion.

Islam is not a religion of peace but that of satan and muslims need to wake up from the nightmare they are in.

----------------------------

Wow!

re: #12 zombie

Problem is, AP is actually basically an association of all the newspapers in the US.

AP does have some of their own staff writers, but the bulk of their material is simply stories originally published in a local paper and then "picked up" for nationwide distribution.

Could become problematic, because something that may not seem like an AP story at first may become an AP story shortly thereafter.

So how can they claim propriety over material that originates elsewhere?

re: #31 brandnew

That's quite a declaration by Mr Johnson. I don't see any comments about how deep that is, not that I could make them. I can guess: 1) CJ has confidence he can pull this off, 2) CJ is confident that he does not need the AP: alternative media is mature enough to ignore them.

Almost every story published by the AP has an equivalent from some other source - Reuters, AFP, or a local paper.

re: #21 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Someone better tell Storagemanager. He/she links a bunch!

I don't think that's going to be a problem.

/at least not here

The world has truly changed when the audience can conduct a serious action against the news providers. It makes not one whit of difference to us but unfortunately, for AP, they think they're still the only game in town. Legacy media.

re: #29 Silhouette

Bring on the acronym humor...

W.W.C.D. ?

re: #35 Charles

Almost every story published by the AP has an equivalent from some other source - Reuters, AFP, or a local paper.

Charles, do they quote or just paraphrase each other?
/

File this under: Telegraphing your punches?

"Iran, fearing sanctions, said to have pulled $75b from EU banks"

Boy do them Europeans know how to run a boycott or what?

[Link: www.haaretz.com...]

Check out all the trackbacks to that Techcrunch article - there are a lot of people upset about the AP's hamfisted tactics.

AP: Absolutely Pathetic

re: #33 zombie

Ooooh, check out this interesting Momail that I got recently:

----------------------------
From: abi a.
Subject: ISLAM - A RELIGION OF SATAN

I want to commend you on such an excellent website. I am a female who turned away from Islam a few years ago, and I cannot put into words the kind of fear, and hate the religion has for women. Its a very masculine religion, and I believe we must all join hands and pray for the irradication and destruction of this brainwashing religion.

Islam is not a religion of peace but that of satan and muslims need to wake up from the nightmare they are in.

----------------------------

Wow!

This is why my heads meets the desk every time I read about feminists defending Islam. Some things just defy logic.

re: #31 brandnew

That's quite a declaration by Mr Johnson. I don't see any comments about how deep that is, not that I could make them. I can guess: 1) CJ has confidence he can pull this off, 2) CJ is confident that he does not need the AP: alternative media is mature enough to ignore them.

I've seen several articles in my life that use snippets to paragraphs of AP articles, word for word, without crediting AP. Basically, nothing they print is unique.

re: #34 Russkilitlover

So how can they claim propriety over material that originates elsewhere?

Some of it is explained here.

re: #35 Charles

Almost every story published by the AP has an equivalent from some other source - Reuters, AFP, or a local paper.

It's really not fair of you to be so critical of these sources on which you are so dependent.

/Cognito's not here yet?

#36 Killian Bundy
Oh, so that's why I haven't seen him posting lately.

re: #35 Charles

Almost every story published by the AP has an equivalent from some other source - Reuters, AFP, or a local paper.

Exactly: Garbage in, Garbage Out.

re: #43 angst

This is why my heads meets the desk every time I read about feminists defending Islam. Some things just defy logic.

It is easy to defend something you know absolutely nothing about but think you know everything about because you heard it on the news.

Oh, well, I was going to link to an AP story about Palifighter/gunman who were "planting" explosives on the Gaza/Israel border. I guess they are farmers now; that is why they don't call them terrorists or murderers

Blogs dont' pay for AP articles, etc. So how does this hurt AP exactly?

IIRC this is exactly what the AP wanted from the blogs. They will still get their money and coverage from the MSM, so they will now just have an unchallenged ability to do what they do (just like they used to before the honest eye of the blog) without all the oversight.

I am probably missing someting, but I don't think this is going to have the affect y'all think it is.

AP institutes Sharia.

re: #49 rightwinger3

It is easy to defend something you know absolutely nothing about but think you know everything about because you heard it on the news.

they defend it by saying it is "their" culture. Things these women would never put up with - they claim we should allow other women to suffer because it is "their" culture.

re: #45 zombie

Oh, so it's the news biz's version of the Hollywood writers' strike? Losing money? Blame the Internet.

AP should be very careful about taking their little ball and going home.

There are plenty of other biased organizations of journalice out there making up and spinning news to fit a left-wing socialist Utopian agenda.

re: #46 wrenchwench

It's really not fair of you to be so critical of these sources on which you are so dependent.

/Cognito's not here yet?

W.W.C.D. ?

re: #52 ted

AP institutes Sharia.

I thought they weren't sharing.

There is a tremendous assault on the Free Use clauses going on that is truly disturbing.

Good move Charles. AP is being an a%$ here

re: #58 Globular Cluster

err, Fair Use

Let em' sweat it out.
If the articles really do originate elsewhere, just do the homework and find the original. That's if it exists in electronic linkable form.

I'll huff and I'll puff etc...

--

re: #33 zombie

Cool, short and sweet and to the point!

re: #35 Charles

Almost every story published by the AP has an equivalent from some other source - Reuters, AFP, or a local paper.

GASP!
You'd actually link to AFP?
*barf*

/s

But I’ll gladly join this movement; until the AP climbs down from this caveman approach, there will be no more links to AP stories in front page articles at LGF.

But isn't this what the AP wants you to do? Seems like this "movement" is merely playing into the AP's hands. I'd recommend violating it and defending under Fair Use.

From an ap statement:

The Associated Press encourages the engagement of bloggers — large and small — in the news conversation of the day. Some of the largest blogs are licensed to display AP stories in full on a regular basis. We genuinely value and encourage referring links to our coverage, and even offer RSS feeds from [Link: www.ap.org,...] as do many of our licensed customers.

Is that what they're really after? They want bloggers to pay a license fee to link their stories?

IBA is joining the ban.

I've made a new policy on how to use AP source-material from now.

It might help other bloggers who want to join the ban:

[Link: ibloga.blogspot.com...]

Clinton's campaign manager has been hired by Obama to be chief of staff of the VP nominee.

IIRC, US copyright law allows fair use of AP's material when one is using the material to comment on how AP is reporting a given issue. I will look into it, but I think Charles is safe when making an "Associated (with terrorists) criticism".

Not much AP material is posted here without comment on the source as much as on the content, which, given the influence that AP has on opinion formation, should be protected under fair use.

re: #51 WrathofG-d

Blogs dont' pay for AP articles, etc. So how does this hurt AP exactly?

At the end of the next fiscal quarter, when the AP looks at their skyrocketing legal fees, they may change their opinion. Bloggers send traffic to AP sites. I guess the AP would prefer less traffic and higher legal fees.

re: #49 rightwinger3

It is easy to defend something you know absolutely nothing about but think you know everything about because you heard it on the news.

Well, the scary part is how many people there are who are just like that. I have time to sift through the news and look for the real story, but a lot of people don't, and all they're going to get is the MSM.

re: #66 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Probably as translator.

re: #68 EC Marm

So you are saying that when blogs send "eyes" to their linked page it gets ad revenue to the AP & thus they actually do get $$ from blogs?

interesting. Didn't think of that.

But wasn't the 1st post about this how they (AP) wanted the blogs to stop linking to them. They were making it harder or something.

re: #64 Sharmuta

From an ap statement:

Is that what they're really after? They want bloggers to pay a license fee to link their stories?

Sharmuta, I don't think so. I read that as some big bloggers pay a license to have get the whole story on the blog vice a link and/or small quote.

It works like this - when one provider does enough to lose your business, GO TO ANOTHER SUPPLIER of like stuff. And as long as there is some form of competition, it is probably a smart thing to do.

-S-

4 A.M knock on the door:
" Who is it ? "

AP Enforcement Bureau.

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk...]

Sue AP, for the hate crime of BLOGOPHOBIA!
.

re: #69 angst

Well, the scary part is how many people there are who are just like that. I have time to sift through the news and look for the real story, but a lot of people don't, and all they're going to get is the MSM.

Pretty unreal, especially in the internet era, isn't it?

re: #76 rightwinger3

Yes. But it makes for fun times at my book club.

re: #66 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

Clinton's campaign manager has been hired by Obama to be chief of staff of the VP nominee.

What's Hillary been doin'?

re: #51 WrathofG-d

It will put a dent in their advertisement revenue. Every look at a page generates a hit for the ads displayed. The penny pincher's will be dismayed.

re: #71 WrathofG-d

So you are saying that when blogs send "eyes" to their linked page it gets ad revenue to the AP & thus they actually do get $$ from blogs?

Yup, they may think it is small change. Maybe it is. They'll find out.

But wasn't the 1st post about this how they (AP) wanted the blogs to stop linking to them. They were making it harder or something.

IMO, a threat of legal action delivered to some blogger will certainly cause that blogger to never link to an AP story again.

re: #67 karmic_inquisitor

IIRC, US copyright law allows fair use of AP's material when one is using the material to comment on how AP is reporting a given issue. I will look into it, but I think Charles is safe when making an "Associated (with terrorists) criticism".

Not much AP material is posted here without comment on the source as much as on the content, which, given the influence that AP has on opinion formation, should be protected under fair use.

If AP claims fair use protection to quote someone or something when it reports the news--as it surely does--it can hardly claim its own rights are being violated when its reportage is commented upon.

Some blanket copyright suits are legitimate, such as the RIAA's suits against file-sharers music thieves. Despite the outrage that these suits caused among many, the persons sued had in fact copied and distributed many, many works very widely without permission of the copyright holders, thereby harming the copyright holders.

The AP's threatened suits, however, are directed not against copying, but, apparently, against mere linking and excerpt-quoting--both of which fall well within traditional fair use, and do so all the more so now that fair use latitudes are being relentlessly expanded as the anti-copyright copyright bar undermines traditional copyright protection.

re: #81 buzzsawmonkey

Here's a link to the complaint.

Charles, just for clarification, what if it is a story at a news site, e.g. Fox, and it carries the disclaimer, "The AP contributed to this report?"

re: #12 zombie

Problem is, AP is actually basically an association of all the newspapers in the US.

AP does have some of their own staff writers, but the bulk of their material is simply stories originally published in a local paper and then "picked up" for nationwide distribution.

Could become problematic, because something that may not seem like an AP story at first may become an AP story shortly thereafter.

If the link goes to the original source, your local daily for instance, AP should have no say in that.

Or is that one of the things they're "cracking down" on?

re: #79 Electron Shuffler

It will put a dent in their advertisement revenue. Every look at a page generates a hit for the ads displayed. The penny pincher's will be dismayed.

I went to Chili's because they kept advertising their all-you-can-eat lunch special here and other blogs. ;)

re: #83 angst

Charles, just for clarification, what if it is a story at a news site, e.g. Fox, and it carries the disclaimer, "The AP contributed to this report?"

The AP will have to create and staff an entire department to send out all the "cease and desist" letters.

re: #82 Sharmuta

Here's a link to the complaint.

Ah. Very, very interesting. That's not a complaint, as such; it is a Digital Millennium Copyright Act demand that threatens Drudge's ISP with a suit unless the complained-of material is blocked pending adjudication.

In other words, rather than go after Drudge it appears that the AP will be going after Drudge's ISP (deeper pockets) unless the ISP blocks the portions of Drudge's site in question, or Drudge makes blocking unnecessary by taking them down.

Who--if anyone--will be sued, and for what, will depend on whether the ISP is willing to risk its DMCA safe harbor or not.

re: #81 buzzsawmonkey
Do you have some free legal advice to a blogger with shallow pockets? :~(

just askin' but isn't a boycott accomplishing exactly what they want?

re: #64 Sharmuta

They are / have lost credibility. Like the rest of the legacy print media, they are losing revenues. New media is bypassing them. So, in their mindset, they are taking action to stop providing 'assistance' to the new media as a 'protective' gesture.

It's typical knee jerk reaction to new media that has been done without success since the mid-1990's and the internet first started to threaten print media.

I expect that at some point in the near future, the AP will start to target some (ie conservative) elements of new media for violation of far use laws and demanding compensation for the unauthorized use of their content.

re: #81 buzzsawmonkey

If AP claims fair use protection to quote someone or something when it reports the news--as it surely does--it can hardly claim its own rights are being violated when its reportage is commented upon.

Some blanket copyright suits are legitimate, such as the RIAA's suits against file-sharers music thieves. Despite the outrage that these suits caused among many, the persons sued had in fact copied and distributed many, many works very widely without permission of the copyright holders, thereby harming the copyright holders.

The AP's threatened suits, however, are directed not against copying, but, apparently, against mere linking and excerpt-quoting--both of which fall well within traditional fair use, and do so all the more so now that fair use latitudes are being relentlessly expanded as the anti-copyright copyright bar undermines traditional copyright protection.

It's clear to me that the purpose of AP's threats is to intimidate blogs, and it's very likely a reaction against the large amount of criticism they've been receiving lately.

re: #87 buzzsawmonkey

Ah. Very, very interesting. That's not a complaint, as such; it is a Digital Millennium Copyright Act demand that threatens Drudge's ISP with a suit unless the complained-of material is blocked pending adjudication.

In other words, rather than go after Drudge it appears that the AP will be going after Drudge's ISP (deeper pockets) unless the ISP blocks the portions of Drudge's site in question, or Drudge makes blocking unnecessary by taking them down.

Who--if anyone--will be sued, and for what, will depend on whether the ISP is willing to risk its DMCA safe harbor or not.

The AP threat is not against Drudge; apparently some clone or spoof of Drudge--looks like Drudge may have a copyright complaint against this bogus site.

re: #87 buzzsawmonkey

Who--if anyone--will be sued, and for what, will depend on whether the ISP is willing to risk its DMCA safe harbor or not.

Sneaky bastids. They don't even have the balls to go after the "offender".

Charles: What punishment has Stinky mandated for Lizards who violate the AP rule?

re: #94 ted

Stoned to death.......

re: #94 ted

Charles: What punishment has Stinky mandated for Lizards who violate the AP rule?

No punishment will be meted out.

Unless, of course, someone asks for it.

re: #85 Lively

Darn it. Now I'm hungry.

Looks like the AP(es) are trying to see who they can scare with the threat of lawsuits. They don't realize that part of their revenue comes from the bloggers.

re: #95 WhiteRasta

Stoned to death.......

pass the bong and remember don't drink the bong water or take the brownnote acid

re: #64 Sharmuta

Is that what they're really after? They want bloggers to pay a license fee to link their stories?

Probably.

Frankly, if I was them, I might do the same.

(I have long been kicking around some web news blog thingy ideas along those lines ...)

But also frankly, AP will have to make major changes to itself to make that work, too. Everyone links to AP articles on newspaper or Yahoo sites, there is no AP site to link to, anyway we may prefer one of their other indirect contexts. The alternative is that Drudge or LGF or other sites do like Yahoo does, and rehost the content themselves. Big pain. And as others have said, the reduced traffic to the indirect sites, will probably offset exactly any revenue AP could get more directly. Messy business all around.

re: #87 buzzsawmonkey

It appears that Drudge has taken down/blocked those links in response to the DMCA complaint.

Now it stands to see if this is selective against certain bloggers or all bloggers.

re: #91 Charles

It's clear to me that the purpose of AP's threats is to intimidate blogs, and it's very likely a reaction against the large amount of criticism they've been receiving lately.

That too.

re: #86 Spiny Norman

Yes, they will. And it's ridiculous posturing for AP to even consider going after a single blogger.

I just wanted to know if Charles minds Lizards linking to articles that contain that disclaimer, since they mention the AP. I would guess that it is okay since the AP is only one of several sources for a story (we hope) where the byline is not listed as AP.

re: #100 Athos

Now it stands to see if this is selective against certain bloggers or all bloggers.

I was thinking how does this affect sites like digg?

re: #88 EC Marm

Do you have some free legal advice to a blogger with shallow pockets? :~(

"Advice" relates to specific cases, and I am responsible for the advice I give. I never give legal advice to anyone without knowing whom I'm dealing with, and getting a written agreement--and payment.

I am willing to comment and provide guidance on general legal principles without requiring any of those things mentioned above which are necessary for the giving of advice--as I can and as it seems appropriate.

re: #96 Charles

No punishment will be meted out.

Unless, of course, someone asks for it.

But leather on a Lizardroid would be redundant.

re: #92 Alouette

The AP threat is not against Drudge; apparently some clone or spoof of Drudge--

I agree, that site is not Drudgreport dot com.

looks like Drudge may have a copyright complaint against this bogus site.

I don't see that. It seems to be totally from the Associated Press.

Charles, have you no sense of charity? Those second rate AP stringers are going to starve as will their wives and children if they are no longer paid for the dis-information and propaganda that they sell to the MSM to use to propagandize us. Think of all the little children and babies Charles, they will have to choose between starvation and growing up to be terrorists. Oh the humanity!

re: #96 Charles

No punishment will be meted out.

Unless, of course, someone asks for it.

OK. Just don't let Stinky get his hands on the Al-Queda Interrogation Techniques manual.

re: #99 itellu3times

There is fair use of some materials that will come into play.

What is the definition of fair use? One sentence, one paragraph, a personally written summary of the AP article that does not quote the AP article?

The other thing that comes into play is linking to AP content on a newspaper - one is not using the content but driving eyeballs to the newspaper whom we assume is a licensed content subscriber of the AP. Is the AP's position that links are also violations of the DMCA? That sounds like a major stretch since nothing is being hosted on the site other than a pointer / link.

re: #100 Athos

Now it stands to see if this is selective against certain bloggers or all bloggers.

That will be the key.

And of course it will be selective.

Charlesre: #96 Charles

No punishment will be meted out.

Unless, of course, someone asks for it.

Kinky!

/Harvey Korman moment

re: #108 ted

OK. Just don't let Stinky get his hands on the Al-Queda Interrogation Techniques manual.

Give him the manual that includes the Comfy Chair Technique.

How will the AP rule benefit Michelle Obama's children ?

re: #108 ted

OK. Just don't let Stinky get his hands on the Al-Queda Interrogation Techniques manual.

Just use duct tape to secure a set of headphones onto the victim and play a Yoko Ono CD. Preferably on the really early ones on the Apple Records label.

/

re: #113 ted

How will the AP rule benefit Michelle Obama's children ?

These are not the AP rules I knew.

More people should link to them, they can't sue everyone.

There is one word for this, and is, Hubris.

re: #112 CyanSnowHawk

Give him the manual that includes the Comfy Chair Technique.

Are you listeni