Image from http://the1709blog.blogspot.com.au/
I was pleasantly surprised when I clicked the link for one of this week’s readings to come across a 5 minute video. Clear and succinct, it enabled me to understand the basics of creative commons and its subsequent terminology with ease and an open mind. More often than not, I find readings to be draining and treacherous, so the video format provided me with an open positivity to absorb and learn.
Image from http://voxindie.org/
From the video, I interpreted Creative Commons as malleable guidelines by which an artist may allow the public to use their work. Due to constant talks of a lack of internet privacy and content ownership & control, I never realised creators had so much control over the second-hand distribution of their works. What also struck me by surprise and, oddly enough, introduced myself to my own naivety was that I had been using creative commons licensed works for content creation during this course, and just assumed I could do whatever I wanted with each specific media. This week’s ‘watching’, in conjunction with the week 2 Communications Histories and Technologies lecture, forced me to understand the extent of power both creators and distributers have.
Similarly, the second reading for this week was in the unconventional format of an online web information sheet/FAQs. In the creation and continuation of this blog, I found this reading to be absolutely crucial, and in my opinion, should have been required prior to the creation of our blogs. Although, it has allowed me to pick up on where I have made general or copyright errors.
I was somewhat surprised to see such an extensive list of Dos and Don’ts for the blogging world. It’s easy to forget how complex and widespread blogging actually is, so much so that it deserves a rule guide. The list, like the internet, is filled with many blurred lines. Loopholes, copy-and-paste culture and the extensive nature of the internet causes a slight elasticity in these guidelines, enabling content creators and users to bypass these ‘rules’ without consequence. I know I am guilty of ignoring copyright rules, and I’m sure most internet users are as well – it’s often just a matter of innocent until caught.
My intentions (both online and offline) are good and honest, and my own copyright slip-ups are never malicious or conniving, but rather accidental. If I have uploaded or shared something you believe is either stolen or not rightfully mine to publish, there is nothing I would appreciate more than to be contacted straight away! I would never claim creative ownership over content that is not mine, but if you feel that I have, send me a message and I’ll happily discuss it with you.
Here’s to lawful blogging and no court cases!
