What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website

yourreviewer · 08-10-2009, 01:39 PM

Hello friends,
I sent an email to a gov website on the copyright of the content I found from their website. And below is what they responded. *Please note that I have used X, Y, A and B for different websites*

************************************************** ************************

On behalf of the X Center, we are responding to your request for information on the copyright policy.

The information contained in materials published by the X is in the public domain. No further permission is required to reproduce or reprint the information in whole or in part. However, organizations that reproduce X publications should cite the Y Institute as a part of the 'A' and the 'B' Services as the source. This applies to printed publications as well as documents, graphics, and animations from the X Web site. Organizations may add their own logo or name. We further ask that no changes be made in the content of the material, and that the material as well as any X Internet links should not be used in any direct or indirect product endorsement or advertising.

************************************************** **********************
So does it mean that if I decide to sell their content as an ebook that I should cite the source?

The thing that got me confused was when they mentioned it is public domain and when they said , "However, organizations that reproduce X publications should cite the Y Institute as a part of the 'A' and the 'B' Services as the source. This applies to printed publications as well as documents, graphics, and animations from the X Web site"

Can someone clarify what this message exactly means?

Thanks,
Dan

intromaster · 08-10-2009, 01:51 PM

I understand it to mean that you can use it but just give them credit by citing them as the source.

By the way, I am using lots of free government information in my products!

yourreviewer · 08-10-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intromaster

I understand it to mean that you can use it but just give them credit by citing them as the source.

By the way, I am using lots of free government information in my products!

So it is more of a good practice than a must, Am I reading this right?

vbmark · 08-10-2009, 02:24 PM

Government produced data and information does not require citation as it is public domain.

yourreviewer · 08-10-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbmark

Government produced data and information does not require citation as it is public domain.

If I understand it correctly, it's not all government oproduced data and information because some may have been works that they work with other institutions.

vbmark · 08-10-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

If I understand it correctly, it's not all government oproduced data and information because some may have been works that they work with other institutions.

But if they paid for that work that they did with others, then it was paid for by the people. If they did not pay for it then it is either free or they stole it, lol.

yourreviewer · 08-10-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbmark

But if they paid for that work that they did with others, then it was paid for by the people. If they did not pay for it then it is either free or they stole it, lol.

But I think legally, not all government content is Public Domain and there are restrictions with respect to the way you use the content. I think it would be useful if any Public Domain Experts can clarify this issue.

Kay King · 08-10-2009, 02:45 PM

Think outside the internet - people do reproduce some govt reports by having copies printed for distribution. In fact, if you look at some info from insurance or mortgage or whatever companies you may notice that the govt sources are credited in small print often at the very end. You will also see notices on online sites where govt tables or whatever are added to a site and the site has "information from xxxx.gov" just below the graphic. You'll see this often on .edu sites.

The explanation seems about as clear as it can get. Thinking "legally" is fine - if you are an attorney. For the rest of us - it's just guessing.

vbmark · 08-10-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourreviewer

But I think legally, not all government content is Public Domain and there are restrictions with respect to the way you use the content. I think it would be useful if any Public Domain Experts can clarify this issue.

Yeah, I agree. I wouldn't take it as a blanket statement.

PanamaRex · 08-10-2009, 03:07 PM

It's normal netiquette and accepted copyright "fair use" to quote a portion of material from another's copyrighted material as long as credit is given to the author. In this instance, it appears their copyright policy is allowing you to use their material as long as you cite the source.

JasonC.biz · 08-11-2009, 09:24 AM

Not an attorney myself, but in reading quite a bit about PD, my understanding is that if a publication was created BY a federal government employee in his/her duty/capacity as a federal government employee, then the publication is in the public domain*. I've never read that the source needs to be cited. However, if they're asking you to, you might consider it.

* Not the case with the Secret Service though, I don't believe. There may be a few other agencies that are not in the PD.

Note the wording "created BY a federal government employee". Sometimes the government pays private companies/individuals to create publications. These can be copywrighted by the companies/individuals and are not automatically in the PD.

Again though, I'm not an attorney myself and if you have a real concern, contact an attorney. Alternatively you can check the Nolo book on Public Domain, available from Amazon.

Jason

08-10-2009, 01:39 PM	#1
yourreviewer Dog Vomit PLR War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,169 Thanks: 6 Thanked 85 Times in 69 Posts	What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website Hello friends, I sent an email to a gov website on the copyright of the content I found from their website. And below is what they responded. Please note that I have used X, Y, A and B for different websites ************************************************ ******************** On behalf of the X Center, we are responding to your request for information on the copyright policy. The information contained in materials published by the X is in the public domain. No further permission is required to reproduce or reprint the information in whole or in part. However, organizations that reproduce X publications should cite the Y Institute as a part of the 'A' and the 'B' Services as the source. This applies to printed publications as well as documents, graphics, and animations from the X Web site. Organizations may add their own logo or name. We further ask that no changes be made in the content of the material, and that the material as well as any X Internet links should not be used in any direct or indirect product endorsement or advertising. ********************************************** ******************** So does it mean that if I decide to sell their content as an ebook that I should cite the source? The thing that got me confused was when they mentioned it is public domain and when they said , "However, organizations that reproduce X publications should cite the Y Institute as a part of the 'A' and the 'B' Services as the source. This applies to printed publications as well as documents, graphics, and animations from the X Web site" Can someone clarify what this message exactly means? Thanks, Dan

08-10-2009, 01:51 PM	#2
intromaster HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New York Posts: 114 Thanks: 4 Thanked 73 Times in 12 Posts	Re: What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website I understand it to mean that you can use it but just give them credit by citing them as the source. By the way, I am using lots of free government information in my products!

08-10-2009, 02:24 PM	#4
vbmark HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: USA Posts: 408 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website Government produced data and information does not require citation as it is public domain.

08-10-2009, 02:45 PM	#8
Kay King Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gulf Coast, USA. Posts: 15,134 Thanks: 3,680 Thanked 4,120 Times in 2,246 Posts	Re: What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website Think outside the internet - people do reproduce some govt reports by having copies printed for distribution. In fact, if you look at some info from insurance or mortgage or whatever companies you may notice that the govt sources are credited in small print often at the very end. You will also see notices on online sites where govt tables or whatever are added to a site and the site has "information from xxxx.gov" just below the graphic. You'll see this often on .edu sites. The explanation seems about as clear as it can get. Thinking "legally" is fine - if you are an attorney. For the rest of us - it's just guessing.

08-10-2009, 03:07 PM	#10
PanamaRex Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 23 Thanks: 21 Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts	Re: What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website It's normal netiquette and accepted copyright "fair use" to quote a portion of material from another's copyrighted material as long as credit is given to the author. In this instance, it appears their copyright policy is allowing you to use their material as long as you cite the source.

08-11-2009, 09:24 AM	#11
JasonC.biz Active Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Re: What Does this Message Mean?- Got it from a .gov website Not an attorney myself, but in reading quite a bit about PD, my understanding is that if a publication was created BY a federal government employee in his/her duty/capacity as a federal government employee, then the publication is in the public domain. I've never read that the source needs to be cited. However, if they're asking you to, you might consider it. Not the case with the Secret Service though, I don't believe. There may be a few other agencies that are not in the PD. Note the wording "created BY a federal government employee". Sometimes the government pays private companies/individuals to create publications. These can be copywrighted by the companies/individuals and are not automatically in the PD. Again though, I'm not an attorney myself and if you have a real concern, contact an attorney. Alternatively you can check the Nolo book on Public Domain, available from Amazon. Jason