Question about guidelines

[honestrosewater]

All content posted on this site is copyrighted to Physics Forums.

(Assuming this applies to content posted by everyone, not just PF staff) What is the reason for this rule? Might you make exceptions, if asked?
Thanks, appreciate it :biggrin:
Rachel

[zefram_c]

This issue came up before. See http://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=41101

[honestrosewater]

Thanks. I'll do a better job searching next time :biggrin:

[honestrosewater]

The reasons given in the other thread by engima and Greg were, respectively, 1) to prevent abuse by others and 2) to protect PF if they choose to sell content.
1) Members transferring copyright to PF isn't necessary. As soon as the work is put into tangible form (the post is saved on your server or whatever), the author has copyright protection. PF could bring a class action suit, on behalf of all PF members, against the infringer.
2) Also not necessary. Members can simply grant you permission to use their copyrighted material.

Would you consider changing the policy of transferring copyright to granting permission for use? I think this is fair and avoids the problems of transferring copyright; A person citing their own non-PF work, for instance, may not want to transfer copyright of that work. Granting permission allows conditions of use to be set, preferable to the "all or nothing" of copyright transfers.