Talk: Is it OK to copy ASCII art?

Ralph Niewmierzycki <ral...@informix.com> wrote:
>
>I just started browsing this newsgroup and I want to congratulate you on your
>talent with ascii art.  I also have one quick question.  Are these art 
>pictures copyrighted in any way?  If I want to use one in my sig, do I 
>have to ask the author?  I am refering to all the art in the newsgroup.  


   This question has been asked a number of times, so I have put it in 
the next version of the FAQ (out Mounday).

   Here is how it is worded at the present.  I am not a lawyer, but I 
think this answer does a fair job of telling it like it is:


   ASCII art that is posted is considered copyrighted by the poster.  But
since the post goes around the world, and copyright laws vary, you'd have
trouble enforcing it in some places.
 
   Even when ASCII art is copyrighted, there is a general agreement among 
most of us that it is OK to copy and clip, repost and pass it around.  It is
generally used AS IF it were Public Domain.
 
   All that mast artists ask is that their credit be left on the art.  Until
recently, it was common for the creator's credit to be lost.
 
   For example, somebody might take a piece of existing art, add a Figletized
name, pop in their email address, tack on a quote, and presto, instant sig.
The one thing that is generally considered bad is to copy somebody's sig and
just change the name and address.


   I hope this helps.

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