You've Got to Be Kidding!: How to Keep Your Job Without Losing Your Integrity

Copyright Offline

Dilemmas related to piracy also surface when a company considers making additional copies of software, videos, music, and other copyrighted intellectual property. We’ve heard these rationalizations before: “I’ve already paid for one overpriced copy, so it’s okay to make another one,” and “No one gets hurt if I make a copy; it’s not like I’m depleting an inventory.” My personal favorite from the Lame Excuse Department is, “In fact, by making another copy and showing off the artist’s work, I’m actually doing the creator a favor; he should be paying me for publicizing it for him!” This is a very weak justification; after all, it’s doubtful whether your exposure of the work will add to its value, and in any case, the owner of the copyright is the only one who can decide whether to grant permission.

Imagine your manager returns from a seminar and drops the course manual on your desk with instructions to “make copies for everyone.” What do you do if the workshop materials carry a copyright notice? Is it okay to make copies if your company has paid for at least one person to attend the workshop? Permissions vary with the workshop presenters’ fee agreement, so it’s best to check. Extra copies are probably available for a minimal fee, which is inexpensive (and well worth it!) insurance against future trouble. You may have to (gently) explain to your boss that copying the workshop materials is a violation of copyright law. If she doesn’t believe you, suggest she visit the ...