Module 3 Tasks - standards task 2

Once more unto the breach...

Wc3 standards
My page did not conform first pass, the errors were about display (around the headings hierarchy) eg Line 32, Column 3: document type does not allow element "H3" here; missing one of "APPLET", "OBJECT", "MAP", "IFRAME", "BUTTON" start-tag.

There is an option you can select to have your code 'tidied', and the 'Cleaned-up Source Listing' interestingly, automatically updated the code to use a CSS (something I had not done originally).

Legal issues
To answer the question "Have you used images or words on your web page or website that contravene copyright laws?... "

As most items are protected by copyright...and the only things that are not really protected include:
”
· Ideas
· Facts
· Titles
· Names
· Short phrases
· Blank forms “
(What does Copyright Protect?, n.d)

There are ‘fair use’ policies which include a using a small portion of the original or for education, purposes, so I may be able to claim these.

Really, unless you are writing your own original thoughts or creating original expression (art etc) you can not be absolutely sure that you are not contravening copyright laws ( Australian or international). So I probably have contravened copyright laws.

I would be in breach of copyright if I portrayed my webpage as part of the university website (eg as a deliberate deception) however, I may not if I had used the logo on an assignment. This was an interesting investigation. The copyright policy on the Curtin website cites the Commonwealth of Australia Copyright Act 1968.

The copyright policy states that “Material in which Curtin University owns copyright, and which is not classified as "Confidential", may be copied without any requirement for special permission to be granted. (Notification of the originator would be a courtesy.)” (Curtin University material, 2007)

If I wanted to use the logo for an assignment, and if I “ wish to copy material from it for educational purposes, you may be able to rely on the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act” (Material on the Internet , 2007) and that “There are no limits to the amount that can be copied or the form of reproduction or communication. Access should normally be restricted to Curtin staff and students.” (Curtin University material, 2007)

There is a policy on Curtin logo use, but this is only applicable to staff (“1. APPLICATION All staff” (Logo Use Procedures, 2008).

We are advised to “approach the copyright owner for permission to copy” (Copying with permission of the copyright owner, 2007). So, if I was able to, I could probably use the Curtin logo for my assignment.

The best way to ensure that you are not in breach of copyright is “When in Doubt, Seek Permission” (Websites: Five Ways to Stay Out of Trouble , 2007)

Interestingly, when I have attempted to copy the Curtin logo, it is not possible (there is a block over the top of the image which prevents effective copying).

References
Copying with permission of the copyright owner (2007). Retrieved 18, August, 2008, from http://www.copyright.curtin.edu.au/research/copying_with_permissions.cfm

Copyright and fair use (2007). Retrieved 18, August, 2008, from http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter6/6-a.html#5

Curtin University material (2007). Retrieved 18, August, 2008, from http://www.copyright.curtin.edu.au/research/curtin_owned.cfm

Material on the Internet (2007). Retrieved 18, August, 2008, from http://www.copyright.curtin.edu.au/research/internet_material.cfm

Logo Use Procedures (2008). Retrieved 18, August, 2008, from
http://policies.curtin.edu.au/policies/viewpolicy.cfm?id=959f55ad-fec2-11dc-b6c5-253dc30d60f2

What does copyright protect? Retrieved 18, August, 2008, from http://fairuse.stanford.edu/Copyright_and_Fair_Use_Overview/chapter6/6-a.html#5