I have a question about the "4 paragraph" rule

[darmok167]

Please forgive me if this is the inappropriate place to pose this question. I searched the rules and FAQ pages first and didn't see this question addressed.

The 4 paragraph rule when presenting an article for discussion...is this a DU rule or is it a generally accepted message board rule or is it something else? I understand why an article can't be quoted in its entirety even if a hyperlink is given...there would be no reason to click it.

I'm just wondering about the how the legalities of the copyright rule or law works with regard to message boards in general.

Thank you.

[darmok167]

1. nm.

after reading a second time, that may have given the wrong impression.

[Omphaloskepsis]

2. This is the only place I have ever seen the administration care.

I visit tons of forums and have never seen a problem with posting the entire article as long as a link is provided. Maybe they got in trouble once and don't want to deal with it again. You would need one of the admins to give you a definitive answer.

Even on Digg people will post the entire contents and they don't care. And I would bet Digg gets 50X the hits per day that DU does.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. It's a DU rule.

Our frenemies at Free Republic were sued (and lost) for posting full articles on their crapulent website. I think the 4 paragraph rule is intended to allow a fair amount of 'quoting,' while respecting the original source and preventing litigation.

[darmok167]

6. Thank you.

Do you know where I could find any information on the lawsuit? Were they posting full articles with orwithout a link to the original, or do you know?

[darmok167]

7. Nevermind, I found it on wikipedia. n/t

.

[NMDemDist2]

4. it's a DU Rule, check out #5 on this link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html

[darmok167]

5. I saw that, I just didn't know if it was site specific

or if 4 paragraphs was the generally accepted norm or what.

Does anyone know what the actual law says about using articles that are copyrighted? May they be posted in their entirety as long as they are cited? Or is there even such a law regarding Internet message boards?

[Gormy Cuss]

8. Title 17 USC

That's the title covering federal copyright law.
Your question is about what constitutes fair use and the answer to that is not simple. Read the wiki article on the subject for some background and the factsheet on same posted at the U.S. Copyright Office
(www.copyright.gov)