Re: Re: permission for screen shots

>> This suggests to me that the risk of lawsuit is very low, and one's
>> finite legal resources would be better spent on more serious risks.
>
>I agree that the risk is likely low, especially because it appears that at
>least MS has offered a limited license for such use (see previous postings).
>But the same might not be said for smaller vendors. The issue will really
>boil down to, why sue? If the software vendor isn't damaged by the use,
>they aren't likely to bother. Further, few cases will make it to court. If
>the owner objects and notifies the violator, the vast majority will work out
>a settlement without resorting to court. Thus, you are not likely to see
>many lawsuits on this issue.

FYI, I know a lot of computer book authors and publishers, and in multiple inquiries over many years when this topic has come up, nobody that I can recall has even reported a skirmish with a software vendor or web site owner over screen shots, just the usual hypothetical "well, they might sue." I realize that there may be confidential settlements that they can't talk about, but I don't think that's it.

There's low risk, and there's really really low risk.

Regards,
John Levine, johnl[_at_]iecc.com, Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies", Information Superhighwayman wanna-be, http://iecc.com/johnl, Sewer Commissioner "More Wiener schnitzel, please", said Tom, revealingly. Received on Thu Feb 26 2004 - 22:40:10 GMT