Okay...so let me start by saying that I really love Copy Corner. I think they are a great store. And, I hate Kinkos so much that I would rather not have copies (or whatever) than ever step foot into a Kinkos.

However, I had the strangest experience at Copy Corner the other day.

I walked in with a book that I am giving a presentation on. I have already prepared the paper but there are some illustrations (about 3) in the book that I wanted to include in my presentation.

So when I walked into Copy Corner and asked if they could make a transparency (for an overhead projector) of the illustrations.

First they told me that they could not because the book was copyrighted. Then I was told that the page of the book (not bigger than 8.5 x 11) would not fit in the machine...!?!?

I was caught off-guard by the comments as I can't even tell you how many times before that I have had this done (to many to count).

Anyway, I talked to the guy for a while about it...and finally had to pull the ''can I pleasetalk to a manager'' card....and I hate being that guy.

The manager came over and said that yes, they could do it and that it doesn't violate any copyright rules...and two, that the page size was not an option.

Anyway..not a huge deal but the whole thing just really irritated me at the time. Especially because I would have never expected Copy Corner to screw up like this.

I was a little scared that I might have to go to Kinkos (if they didn't help me)...and that is probably what bothered me most. As I would rather cut my arm off than go there.

I love going to places where they all have different answers to the same question.

copy corner > kinkos

for sure.

they generally have pretty good service. you were probably just dealing with some new kid working there or something.

The first time I went to Copy Corner I had a wonderful experience, ever since that it has been like pulling teeth to get them to do anything for me. The last time they couldn't figure out how to get my Word document to print correctly, so I said forget it and went to Office Depot, where the department manager went above and beyond to see that my needs were met.

Congrats Copy Corner, you lost a $10,000+ annual customer.

i love copy corner & i have never had any problems there.

I use to work at copy-corner, and in their defense. There are a lot of new people and a high turnover since its a college town. I for one, didn't care too much about copy right issues, yada yada, (I did not personally make the copies) but at times managers were very strict so a lot of the time people didn't even realize what they had was copyrighted. I'm sure you got some new person as I don't even recognize a lot of the people in there anymore.

Word documents are very tricky to get to print correctly sometimes depending on margins, etc. I would point out in the future making your document a .pdf and that should eliminate any problems, and you have control of the way you want it to look. Just my opinion, not taking sides. Plus I don't even work there anymore.

[This message has been edited by AGEC2008 (edited 8/6/2008 7:17a).]

I've worked in the print business at OfficeMax ImPress for a few years now. Legally, we are not allowed to copy anything with a copyright on it. That's not to say a customer can't make copies on the self serve color or black and white machines though.

AGEC2008 -- It is not my intention to be mean, but your writing skills are weak. If you want to represent your school well do something about this deficiency.

Cant you still use copyrighted material for educational use, if you use properly cite the source?? Maybe I didn't pay enough attention in Tech Writing?

The manager made an error. You and Copy Corner violated the authors copyright.

You probably would not be pursued (depending on what you were doing with your copy ie for profit, etc) but Copy Corner could be liable.

It's the same thing with ASCAP/BMI. A place of business can have a radio on but it the radio is connected to the business's sound system (more than one speaker) they are in violation and the fine is steep. I know that ASCAP/BMI has inspectors that conduct retail store "walk thru's". I would guess authors groups make spot check's at copy shops.

Don't get mad at Copy Corner. Your .05 copy could cost them four figures.

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Your .05 copy could cost them four figures.

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This is what amazes me about AGEC being so flippant. Perhaps it's because I've been in a company that has gotten quite careful about copyright in recent years.

As for the Fair Use argument, this is one of the better explanations I've seen. From the seminars I've been to and articles I've read, it appears that the OP's intended use could fall under fair use. This is a nifty little chart that isn't absolute, but serves as a decent guide.

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Congrats Copy Corner, you lost a $10,000+ annual customer.

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Why are you spending $10,000 annually on outsourcing your documents??? Are you a business owner? Do you realize you could lease a multifunctional device (copy, print, scan) AND have a service agreement that provides supplies for much less?

The last time I went to Copy Corner the owner was a complete smartass with a problem that I had.

I used to work at the on-campus print shop in the MSC, and I was there two years. I always did what I could to take care of the customers needs regardless of if they were "on-campus" or not.

You should check it out, its in Rm 293 of the MSC (2nd floor in the breezeway between the MSC and Rudder). Are prices are very competitive with Copy Corner and Kinkos and Office Depot, and in a lot of cases, beat their prices.

Call the MSC and they'll connect you to the print shop and find out what they can do for you at what prices.

FortySomethingAg:

Thank you for your concern. I'm not too worried about my writing skills as I type from a phone. The objective was to get my points across as quickly as possible. I'm sorry my post did not meet your standard. As for Larry the owner being a "smartass" to you, I can only assume that it was well deserved.

As for the copy right issue. Let me correct myself, I did not personally make the copies of copyrighted material. I did however suggest that the person themselves could make the copies on the ss machine if they wish.

[This message has been edited by AGEC2008 (edited 8/5/2008 11:18p).]

I believe the print shop closed some years back. I think most of A&M's print contracts were won by copy corner

I agree it could fall under fair use. I guessing maybe the employee in copy corner don't do enough enough research papers at A&M to have use quotes yet for anything? heh

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One of the rights accorded to the owner of copyright is the right to reproduce or to authorize others to reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords. This right is subject to certain limitations found in sections 107 through 118 of the Copyright Act (title 17, U. S. Code). One of the more important limitations is the doctrine of “fair use.” Although fair use was not mentioned in the previous copyright law, the doctrine has developed through a substantial number of court decisions over the years. This doctrine has been codified in section 107 of the copyright law.

Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered “fair,” such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Section 107 also sets out four factors to be considered in determining whether or not a particular use is fair:

1.

the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
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the nature of the copyrighted work;
3.

amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

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[This message has been edited by madscubafool (edited 8/6/2008 7:46a).]

I took in some documents to be scanned as a pdf. I had to take them back 3 times because they were not straight. Not professional looking at all. I ended up going to Office Max.

Aggie99, I can tell you EXACTLY why this happened:

In the 80's, I used to work at the Northgate Kinko's doing CourseWorks. Not long after I was working there, I was informed at a staff meeting that all kinko's would have to give up CourseWorks because someone at a store (rumored to be in California) had violated Copyright Laws by copying pages from a book. We were told that from then on, if anyone made copies from a book without first checking with the manager, that the whole store could be very heavily fined, and whoever made the copies could be fired. That is why customer service reps should not make copies from copyrighted books anymore . If they check with the manager first, the manager would be responsible for any violations instead of the rep. The customer can make self service copies but said customer would also be responsible for any copyright violations. The store would possibly not be liable at all if they could prove the copies were self service and not full service copies.

Copyright infringement carries very hefty fines. I was told the author of the book that was copied at the California Kinko's was the one that sued and of course won and had the entire chain drop CourseWorks.

It was pretty sad because I loved handing out the Courseworks booklets for various classes.

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Congrats Copy Corner, you lost a $10,000+ annual customer.

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Wow, someone pulled the "Do-you-know-how-much-money-I-was-going-to-spend-at-your-business?" card... A distant and less well known cousin of the "Do-you-know-who-I-am?" card.

She didn't SAY that. She took her business elsewhere.

Capitalism at its finest.

I should say I've always had good experiences at Copy Corner. I haven't always gotten perfect service, but I've never had a bad experience.

I worked for Larry at Copy Corner back in the day and he was a GREAT guy to work for and ran a great businesss. And the copyright issue is a big deal. I remember having to explain why a 50 page coursework packet of maps and charts cost $30 while a 300 pager of a prof's notes was only $10. You would have paid $500 on textbooks to capture the data on the select information in the $30 package. Copy Corner passed along the copyright fee to the publisher.

@madscubafool is right. Three copies from a normal sized book for a classroom presentation is NOT a violation of copyright. I have taught this subject for years, and I am a stickler for copyright being honored. This isn't an issue.

@AGEC2008: The very fact you feel writing on your phone excuses you from proper writing is a frightening sign of modern technology. It's not an excuse for poor communication. Getting the point across poorly does not endear your readers to respect your opinion on an issue.

AGEC2008 -- I prefaced my statement by saying that I did not want to be mean. All that was necessary was for you to let us know that you were typing from a phone that for some reason causes you to use improper English.

Try not to let your adolescent rebellion carry too far over into early adulthood.

No need to apologize Forty. I felt the same way you did after reading AGEC2008's post. AGEC, I write from my iPhone all the time. It shouldn't change where you put your commas and periods.