I don't understand this. I'd be flattered if someone stole something I wrote. I might call them out on it, but I'd be flattered. Don't take this as an attack on you, because I think this is something that's true of a lot of bloggers, but isn't this taking things a bit too seriously? I know you feel like you're a journalist and all, but it's all pretty small time (as is my blog), so why make it such a serious thing? In order to protect your copyright, you'd have to have the money to actually back it up in court, so it may illegal, but not really enforceable. The cool thing about blogging is that it's so open. I'm not saying that it's cool to steal, because it's not, but it is cool that it's not <i>professional</i> and that means that some stuff might get stolen. So what? Why does it matter? I don't think we need to some code of ethics and copyrights to tell whose blogs are quality and whose are not. It's easy to tell when someone writes something and when they repost the press release. I think the same would be true of someone who steals. There's a lot more than a copyright (both good and bad) between us and something like Rolling Stone. Taking everything so seriously makes it like a business and business is what kills good rock music.

Like I said, don't take this as an attack. This post just gave me the opportunity to say something that I've thought for quite awhile about a lot of blogs. Hopefully this generates some conversation and not just a lot of people being defensive, because (for once) I'm not trying to stir up trouble.

Blogs have to follow the rules like everyone else. Good for you for sticking up for your hard work.

You have to admit that the bar is incredibly low now, lower than it's ever been. None of us would be "journalists" ten years ago. We wouldn't even be writing for fanzines most likely. It's so easy now that I just think the standard is different. It seems silly to take things like copyrights so seriously when none of us are serious journalists.

I guess part of my point is just, shouldn't we be thankful that we have the opportunity to have people read what we write? Blogging is not a commercial endeavor (unless you consider promos payment), so what are you trying to protect?

I can see your point Allyson, BUT have you ever downloaded anything from Kasza or Limewire or any other sight without paying? It's the same thing...taking and using something you don't own. That includes YouTube clips as well...

Personally if someone used something of mine that I wrote, I would be kind of stoked LOL. Especially if it caused some sort of buzz. You can't BUY PR like that. use it to your advantage some how.

Keep up the great work too!

I think that a big part of blogging is inspiring others. If you see something someone else wrote then it may inspire you to write on the same or similar idea. It's part of being in the blogging community. We are not professionals and this is not a business. It's a hobby or pastime for the most part. Yes, of course we all want it to be quality and we take pride in our work. Yet I think we begin to lose some of what's important about blogging when we start set up boundries and warnings.
This is not an attack and I respect and enjoy your writing, but I really can't agree with you on this one.

I only consider myself a part-time journalist since I have a main day profession. If I wasn't involved with a lot of magazines and been getting paid for some of my work, then I would simply consider myself a fan of the music I love and merely a writer about it. I guess I waited until another colleague labeled me a journalist before it even sunk in. Without knowing what it is you've cited as being stolen, I can relate, because I went after another site that copied something I wrote verbatim, and all I asked was a mere citing of their source (The Metal Minute), but I found out it was the news subject who passed my blurb onto this other venue, so that made me look like a horse's ass in a way. I'm perfectly cool with people linking up to my work or reproducing with the understanding that they cite me, just as I would cite them as a resource. When I use others' photos, if I know who took the picture, I cite them. Yes, I enforce copyright on my writings and photos at The Metal Minute, but it's mainly to just enforce a code of ethics out there. I've had my work shared and repro'd all over the place and still I smile largely if someone asks to use my stuff or takes a quote of a review for their press packet.

I've been doing this for over 4 years now and very proud of what I've accomplished, what I've written, who I've interviewed, but mostly I've been pleased on a basic fan's level to relive my teenage years in a revival scene and receive so many perks, freebies, free concerts and access to people I never would've had back in the day. It's like Bob said; none of us (including even likely me despite my hard work and constant networking) would've been given this kind of access to the scene, even to the up-and-comers. Believe me, I tried it in college with a metal and punk column only 4 people max read and I got a few exciting things out of it, like demos and the invitation to come to Chicago and watch a band record, but they never went anywhere and that's how tough things were in the 80s. Without the web, we'd be trying to hash out paper 'zines like the old days and it would be horribly difficult to get what we get now.

Just a few random (and maybe muddled) thoughts...