Hi.. I'm on a writer's poetry site and they forbid anyone to print and save another's poem. Is this legal to prohibit this? I understand they are afraid that someone will plagarize/steal it and use for commercial use... BUT... anything on the world wide internet CAN BE printed and saved (poems, stories, etc etc etc)... as long as one does not steal it... So QUESTION IS: can a writer's online chat site prohibit people from printing out another's poetry, even if you are not going to steal it. Thanks.

Hi, When we were in the 'old' days, there were bookstores, etc. and no network. When we wanted something to keep to read again later, we had to buy it, as in a book.

What I do when I find something on the net that I would like to keep to read again for myself and not for commercial use except to 'quote', is to contact the author, and ask if I can use his/her work, or print it for private use. Or, I just go and find the book or article and buy it. It is legal for sites to prohibit copying or printing any part of what they publish. In my opinion, you should only copy or print things that specifically state that you can as they do not own the copyrights. I think as long as you have the written permission of the author you are covered.

Please check the legal sites in the state where you live to check on the copyright laws, to include items published on the internet. This way you will have the assurance you need. Good luck, and Happy Halloween!

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Hello... that cat was cute on the email!! I understand it covers one's basis to ask permission of the author... But I really wanted to know is if an internet Writer's Group can prohibit anyone from printing out poems.. period!
I don't think there is any law that says you can not print out a poem from any internet site in the world... (The only laws I know of --is that you can can not SELL WHAT YOU PRINT)... So anyway... I rate you well because you came in with that cute cat and you answered quickly, even though you may not have had the exact answer, you answered from your heart... Angie

Thanks Angie, I appreciate that, I'm an old smiley addict and will probably use them all the time. Also a cat-lover..


What I print in my own home on my own computer I don't always have to show others, and you probably think the same way. But I did try to print something at one time, I think it was a cartoon, and my explorer all of a sudden crashed, and I still have not figured out why as of today. There was however a DON'T PRINT message on that particular site and the explorer crashed before the print job started, so I guess some do's and don'ts can be interpreted in many ways.

I tried looking for an appropriate legal site regarding this and have not found one to my satisfaction either.

This probably leaves you with more questions than answers, but that's all I've been able to come up with.

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Hi,

No one can prohibit you from printing anything you find on a web page, it's technically impossible. They can post their copyright rules so that, if they catch you doing something so obviously illegal, they can invoke them.

As Chery said you can print off what you like for personal use if you do not intent to profit from it or deprive the owner of revenue based on the work (for example if you downloaded an illegal copy of a novel that is currently for sale and is copyrighted). Here is a good website for a more info of a legal nature:
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/cat...F7513/310/276/

Thanks again letmeno, for your varitable treasure-chest of link knowledge. I added this to my personal list also.

Your posts may be short and sweet, but they have a lot to say...
Have a good one..

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