I'm saddened to even have to do up a page such as this one..
But as all rumors go and spread, I need to clarify things now -
BEFORE they get any worse.
First of all - let me explain who I am and where I'm coming from.
I have been in the goat business for nearly a decade-which really isn't long at all.
In that time I have made decisions about how I wanted to do things.
I chose to be basically a backyard goatherd -loving my goats making things from the goats or making goat related things to support myself.
I did not care to get involved with any particular associations or structured groups as
I'm not really politically active and I am at that stage in my life where I would rather be fat dumb and happy. I'm not out to impress anyone. I am however available to help anyone who needs it- always have been always will be.
I don't travel in social circles. I mainly stay at home with my goats and do what I do-much of it web related.
I'm not a fast talker and usually act before I think - causing trouble for myself at times...
Which brings us to why we are here - sadly.
There have been some awful rumors going around the internet about me and I really need them to stop.
The name goatlady has always been a good name and I would like it to stay that way. I value my reputation.
First let's take a good look at what copyright means or rather what it doesn't:
[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 37, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 1999]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 37CFR202.1]
[Page 417-418]
TITLE 37--PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AND COPYRIGHTS
CONGRESS
PART 202--REGISTRATION OF CLAIMS TO COPYRIGHT--Table of Contents
Sec. 202.1 Material not subject to copyright.
The following are examples of works not subject to copyright and
applications for registration of such works cannot be entertained:
(a) Words and short phrases such as names, titles, and slogans;
familiar symbols or designs; mere variations of typographic
ornamentation, lettering or coloring; mere listing of ingredients or
contents;
(b) Ideas, plans, methods, systems, or devices, as distinguished
from the particular manner in which they are expressed or described in a
writing;
(c) Blank forms, such as time cards, graph paper, account books,
diaries, bank checks, scorecards, address books, report forms, order
forms and the like, which are designed for recording information and do
not in themselves convey information;
(d) Works consisting entirely of information that is common property
containing no original authorship, such as, for example: Standard
calendars, height and weight charts, tape measures and rulers, schedules
of sporting events, and lists or tables taken from public documents or
other common sources.
[[Page 418]]
(e) Typeface as typeface.
[24 FR 4956, June 18, 1959, as amended at 38 FR 3045, Feb. 1, 1973; 57
FR 6202, Feb. 21, 1992] Go Here for the entire article and website
Copyrighted works on the Net include news stories, software, novels,
screenplays, graphics, pictures, and even email.
In fact, the frightening reality is that the vast majority
of the items on the Net are protected by copyright law.
However, there are a lot of works on the Net that are in the public domain.
The Public Domain is that repository of all works that
for whatever reason are not protected by copyright. As such, they are free for all to use without permission.
Works in the Public Domain include works with the following characteristics:
Originally Non- Copyrightable
These are items that by their very nature are not eligible for copyright protection.
These items include:
Ideas
Facts
Titles
Names
Short phrases
Blank forms
WHAT IS "DEFAMATION"?
Defamation, sometimes called "defamation of character", is spoken or written words that falsely and negatively reflect on a living person's reputation.
If a person or the news media says or writes something about you that is understood to lower your reputation, or that keeps people from associating with you, defamation has occurred. Slander and libel are two forms of defamation.
WHAT IS "SLANDER"?
Slander is a spoken defamation
WHAT IS "LIBEL"?
Libel is a written defamation. Generally, radio and television broadcasts that are defamatory are considered to be libel, rather than slander.
CAN I SUE SOMEONE WHO SAYS OR WRITES SOMETHING DEFAMATORY ABOUT ME?
In order to prove defamation, you have to be able to prove that what was said or written about you was false. If the information is true, or if you consented to publication of the material, you will not have a case. However, you may bring an defamatory action if the comments are so reprehensible and false that they effect your reputation in the community or cast aspersions on you.
