Web Sites for F1 fans

[Wizzo]

What is happening to F1 web sites?

When I started this site last year it was called F1Wizard, after a short period of time I was politely notified by the FIA that I was in breach of copyright because they own the term F1 in every language. Apparently they have a whole department looking for web sites that are breaking the rules. Fair enough I thought, so I changed the name to GPWizard and all is well.

I now know of two other web sites suffering from F1 red tape, unfortunately I cannot name them for legal reasons.

Site No 1. Are being sued by Mr Schumacher's solicitors for having a picture of him in their drivers section. Of course, the site immediately removed the picture but it's too little too late and the site has been closed due to the rising court costs.

Site No 2. Have been forced to close for showing a picture of a 2006 McLaren race car. The web site has the full permission from the owner of the picture to show it on the internet. The owner of the picture took it at a 2006 Grand Prix whilst the car was driving around the track. McLaren's answer to this is, you may own the picture but we own the paint work on the car and you are displaying it without our permission. What?

I understand copyright laws and what they protect, but shouldn't there be some mercy for people and/or sites that are for the good of the sport. We all make mistakes like I did by using 'F1', they asked me to remove it, so I did - the end.

I don't understand F1 sometimes, web sites like GPWizard aren't run by massive corporations trying to make huge profits. They are run and payed for by the site owner for fans and like minded individuals who love the sport. Ask any major company if they would mind 5,000 websites all promoting their products for free and I know what their answer would be - YES PLEASE!

Perhaps there way of thinking is if there are no individual sites then fans would be forced to use the big corporate F1 sites and look at their big corporate adverts.

I'll get off my soapbox now.



 

 

   

[cosworth151]

In the case of the McLaren, over here I think that would be covered by the "fair use" section of the law. It is what allows pictures taken at public venues to be used for things like news coverage. A few years ago, the Supreme Court even ruled that "fair use" covered use for satire.

[davewilson]

We had better watch out for the FIA and check they can't pull us up for something or another.
I agree with Wizard sites such as GP Wizard are run by people who have a love of the sport,and in a way promote it.

I do feel we should cover ourselves with a disclaimer of some kind, and any breaches of the copyright should be reported to the Wizard to remove or take action.

I like the Wizard, can only see it as trying to close down sites such as this,which bring i hope enjoyment to our members.Common sense all round on this one FIA (sorry can i say that?)

Had to use an orange box...no soapboxes left.

The Stig

[romephius]

The interesting thing is that most copyright law is only enforced when profit is being made from something that could still be covered in "fair use".  Most government sites where we have photocopiers have a copy of the copyright law stuck to the wall above it.....so I have read the Australian legislation many times......funnily enough it hasn't changed since 1969.  Generally, your only obligation with "fair use" items is to have a notice stating where the material comes from. 

I think some form of disclaimer would be a great Idea, otherwise things like my video could get us all into some hot water.  And of course that is the last thing I want for the Wizard or this site.

Rom.

[Dare]

Thai's why I've always said Nascar,ChampCar,and Irl
is more fan friendly than F1!I just don't know why f1
doesn't want it's fans to promote their sport

[davewilson]

It all comes down to ABBA.............MONEY MONEY MONEY.......IN A RICH MANS WORLD

The Stig

[Wizzo]

Thats very true, but if they keep kicking the little guys, then soon there won't be any little guys around.

Sometimes I really do think these corporations and organizations think they are indestructible - the worrying thing is, they just might be!

[Ian]

The thing that really shows them up is that I've read things on here eg:- rule changes, tyre rules etc long before they reach the dailies. They really are a petty lot ain't they