Press release copyrights?

What's ok, and what's not?

[dpd1]

I have a feeling I'll get the "ask a lawyer" answer, but I wanted to throw this out... There doesn't seem to be much of an issue with copying formal press releases from both government and private sector organizations and reposting them on other sites... At least that's the way it appears to me, as I see many sites do it every day. I don't see photos used as much though. Government photos don't seem to be a problem as those are usually considered public domain. But what about a photo from a corporation? Say Acme Rockets just did a press release on their new rocket and you would like to post the release on your site (credit given of course). Would it be unethical to post the associated photo as well, or is that crossing the line? Assuming all of this would be used in a positive manor.

[Grandmas Cookies]

the fact that many do it doesn't mean that is legal!

[Beagle]

If you're interested in Acme Rockets, ask to get on their mailing list for press releases - or check their site for a "press" or "media" section. That will give you their stuff with their permission to use it, and you'll get it sooner than the people who're taking it from elsewhere without permission.

Repeat with any other company you have an interest in.

ETA: At least some of the sites where you're seeing the press releases posted probably get them this way.

[edited by: Beagle at 12:41 pm (utc) on July 18, 2007]

[vincevincevince]

Are you press? If so, then I suspect that your use of a Press Release is fully intended!

[dpd1]

Thanks for the comments...

After doing a little research, it would appear there's a big gray area that basically revolves around the concept of, who is considered "news media". As an example, here's what Boeing has in their media agreement to download images.

"Boeing owns and retains the copyrights in the images, except where expressly noted. Provided that the recipient is news media, Boeing grants a nonexclusive, limited right to download an image and reproduce it without alteration for news reporting or editorial purposes only. Except for the foregoing limited license, no other rights or permissions of any kind are given to the recipient."

Apparently there's been much discussion about whether or not sites and blogs constitute "news media", as there's been numerous posts about this subject that I stumbled onto.

The whole idea of doing press releases is to get news out. So as long as a story isn't modified or used in a negative way, I can't imagine they'd care... I was just curious about the legalities.

[FattyB]

I would advise against using press releases unedited period. Since they tend to be extremely biased.

However, much of the news you read each day is off the back of press releases. What spin you put on a release is up to you and indeed what differentiates various news outlets.

"about whether or not sites and blogs constitute"

I personally don't see any debate, much of the news is now read and written online both by new and traditional media groups.

In general photos provided can be used editorial, but you should read the blurb on the release.

But you can certainly write up a negative piece from a positive press release and quote from it etc. The trick is to sort the chaff and wheat.

[edited by: FattyB at 10:05 pm (utc) on July 18, 2007]

[Beagle]

The only actual court decisions I've read about have been in California and have said that blogs are news media. That can be a mixed bag, as the title brings responsibilities with it as well as privileges.

[edited by: Beagle at 10:06 pm (utc) on July 18, 2007]

[Fortune Hunter]

I would think you have two basic options here for using the information without problems. One, write your own story based on information from the press release, which makes it your work and probably wouldn't create any problems with copyrights. Especially since that is exactly what the company hopes will happen with their press releases.

Second, if you don't want to write your own story, but rather just comment on the press release simply put a link to the press release on the company's site from where ever you are writing up your comments. I do this all the time in my blog and on my site.

[dpd1]

Thanks for the help... I've actually been doing the outside links to releases method. It works, but my fear is that it offers too many chances to leave the site. I thought maybe keeping it on the site would be better. I'm not the best writer in the world, so I was considering just doing a copy/paste on the releases (with photo) and credit the originator. The majority of which would either be corporate or gov. The goal is purely informational, not editorial or opinionated in any way.