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1. Comment - AP sets up a toll booth for bloggers citing its stories

   (Jun 18, 2008 - 6:33 PM)

   I would assume that the use of AP articles by (at least most) blogs falls under the "fair use" policy outlined above. Most blogs - on either side of the political spectrum, use such articles, "for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research," and give credit where credit is due; by citing the source of the article, and/or by providing a link to the article in its original (digital) form. I should think that such use and citation should fall within the limits of copyright law (as it does for any college-level research paper), making such fees irrelevant. Would the application of such usage fees stand up in court? Somehow I think not.
   
   My guess is that this move by AP is for two simple reasons: greed and whiny-ness. The AP is frustrated that bloggers comment on and criticize their work, that bloggers fact-check them and occasionally find them wrong, and that they come out looking stupid or unprofessional. This is their attempt to silence any voice but their own. So much for freedom of speech or freedom of the press. They seem to believe such freedom only applies to those within their ranks.