Week 2 WIMBA Reflection

After watching this weeks WIMBA, I felt like I had an even better understanding of copyright, Fair Use, Creative Commons and the like. However, I did NOT know that patents and trademarks must be actively defended in court. I assumed like a lot of copyright lawyers, people were always on the "scout" for people who stole patents and trademarks. Apparently that is not the case. So if I patent something and someone steals my idea after I get a registered number, then I will have to take them to court.

The whole underlying idea that drives copyright was also reinforced to me. "It's not about use; it's about permission." I think alot of people who want to use something they do not own the copyrights to automatically assume that they could never get permission to use it. Though that may be the case with somethings, people would be surprised to find how often that is not the case. I am convinced that if I would like to use something, in the appropriate situations, if I would just ask for permission from the copyright holder, explaining what I would like to do, the least they could do is say no and then the issue would be dropped. Instead, most people will just use it anyway and maybe or not give the owner credit. If the worst the copyright owner could do is say no, then why not take the right step and ask for permission to use their work instead of completely leaving them out of the process? In my opinion, that is as close to stealing as you can get.

Finally, I was really excited when we started talking about the "Think Out Loud" part of the Present or Publish activity for Week 4. When I was sharing this with my wife, I began to think to myself, "This is really what this program is all about. Learning how to solve problems with technology and then sharing what you have discovered with the world." I am a little upset. The first clinic I wanted to apply to share this at, The Midwest Clinic in Chicago, has already cut off the deadline. But there is another big clinic Texas that I am going to pursue. THIS IS AMAZING! It's becoming more real to me. I'm am actually going to be able to share what I know with other and change people for the good.

This is what I have worked for the past 10 months and it's about to pay off!!!!!