Author Topic: Copyright Guidelines  (Read 10601 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline W3DRM

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 3360
    • Emmett Weather
Copyright Guidelines
« on: January 05, 2018, 01:27:05 PM »
I am bringing up this topic because I am seeing more and more of our WXFORUM member websites that appear to be violating copyright laws. Perhaps what we need is a section in WXFORUM that provides some guidance for both new and old members relative to what is and is not acceptable as far as website content goes.

For example, I see many websites with graphic and textual content that has been grabbed directly from commercial weather websites like Intellicast and many others for use on our personal weather websites. Looking at their Terms of Usage clauses, they very specifically state that all content is copyrighted and is not to be used in any manner without written permission. I really doubt that anyone has been able to get such written permission other than from sites like WU which has specifically given permission to use their content by anyone who uploads data to them for usage. Unfortunately, such policies are a rarity.
Don - W3DRM - Emmett, Idaho --- Blitzortung ID: 808 --- FlightRadar24 ID: F-KBOI7
Davis Wireless VP2, WD 10.37s150,
StartWatch, VirtualVP, VPLive, Win10 Pro
--- Logitech HD Pro C920 webcam (off-line)
--- RIPE Atlas Probe - 32849

Offline SoMDWx

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1014
    • Southern Maryland Weather
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #1 on: January 05, 2018, 01:42:00 PM »
Actually, that would go for any sites used: private, commercial, and government without written or implied consent...

Offline Old Tele man

  • Singing in the rain...
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1365
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2018, 01:46:05 PM »
CAVEAT USOR
« Last Edit: January 05, 2018, 01:48:27 PM by Old Tele man »
• SYS: Davis VP2 Vue/WL-IP & Envoy8X/WL-USB;
• DBX2 & DBX1 Precision Digital Barographs
• CWOP: DW6988 - 2 miles NNE of Cortaro, AZ
• WU - KAZTUCSO202, Countryside

Offline WeatherHost

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 3649
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2018, 02:11:00 PM »
In general, those sites won't bother lower traffic hobby type sites as long as the content used is credited in some way ( ' image courtesy of branded site ' ).  They get a whole bunch more fussy if there is anything in the way of ads, referral links or anything else they consider commercial content.  A site that is gaining more attention and traffic might get their eye too if they feel their content is helping get that traffic.

It's always best to ask them though before using anything.


Offline yamiacaveman

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 439
    • Penn Lake Weather
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2018, 08:08:47 AM »
Copyright does protect most content, but there are laws that allow use of copyright material for educational and I think some non-profit organization use. I don't know how far you can push that on your weather sites nor if something like this was or ever will be challenged in the court room.

Offline tmabell

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 394
    • Mishawaka Weather
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2018, 01:18:44 PM »
FYI, all NWS forecasts and data are considered public domain and no prior authorization is needed.  The "Government websites" mentioned in an earlier post may be misleading.

Offline WeatherHost

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 3649
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2018, 02:14:16 PM »
FYI, all NWS forecasts and data are considered public domain and no prior authorization is needed.  The "Government websites" mentioned in an earlier post may be misleading.

Quote
Use of NOAA/NWS Data and Products

The information on National Weather Service (NWS) Web pages are in the public domain, unless specifically noted otherwise, and may be used without charge for any lawful purpose so long as you do not: 1) claim it is your own (e.g., by claiming copyright for NWS information -- see below), 2) use it in a manner that implies an endorsement or affiliation with NOAA/NWS, or 3) modify its content and then present it as official government material. You also cannot present information of your own in a way that makes it appear to be official government information.

Use of the NWS name ("National Weather Service") and/or visual identifier are protected under trademark law and may not be used without permission from the NWS. Use of the NWS name and/ or visual identifier to identify unaltered NWS content or links to NWS web sites are allowable uses. Permission may be requested for this use at https://www.weather.gov/logorequest. Permission is not required to display unaltered NWS products which include the NWS name or NWS/NOAA visual identifier as part of the original product. Neither the name nor visual identifier may be used, however, in a manner that implies an endorsement or affiliation with NOAA/NWS.

Before using information obtained from any NWS Web page special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed.

The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of information on NWS Web pages. NWS is provides such information "as is," and NWS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will NWS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.

As required by 17 U.S.C. § 403, third parties producing copyrighted works consisting predominantly of the material appearing in NWS Web pages must provide notice with such work(s) identifying the NWS material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection.

https://www.weather.gov/disclaimer


Offline WeatherHost

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 3649
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2018, 02:16:06 PM »
Also see: 

Quote
This policy covers user privacy, system security, and National Weather Service information collection practices. This Privacy Policy Statement applies only to National Weather Service web sites. Some organizations within NOAA may have other information collection practices. You are encouraged to check Privacy Policies when going to another web site.

These World Wide Web pages are provided as a public service by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS).

Information presented on these pages is considered public information and may be distributed or copied. Use of appropriate byline/photo/image credits is requested.

https://www.weather.gov/privacy



Offline tmabell

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 394
    • Mishawaka Weather
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2018, 02:21:54 PM »
Litigation in the past has determined that all forecasts, observations, etc. are public domain without exception.   To each his own interpretation I guess.

Offline AF6GL

  • Senior Member
  • **
  • Posts: 82
    • Jeffries Ranch Weather Center
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2018, 01:40:05 PM »
Now what would be funny is if they came after you for information from their site that they got from your site in the first place.

Offline Farmtalk

  • Fitzweather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4745
    • WV Waterfalls
Re: Copyright Guidelines
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2018, 04:32:23 PM »
Now what would be funny is if they came after you for information from their site that they got from your site in the first place.

That would be the funny side of it. Granted, I use NWS products, and folks here on the forum have created some fantastic scripts that use NWS products (thank you to all that create them).

What I get concerned about is if they come down in saying 'you use our information without consent, so we will use your information without consent'. The chances of that happening are probably slim to none, but I think about it.
Joe Fitzwater
Chief Meteorologist for WVNS-TV 59 in Beckley, WV

Work Page on Facebook -> www.facebook.com/meteojoe
Work Page on Twitter -> https://twitter.com/meteojoe
Waterfalls -> www.wvfalls.com

 

anything