Even Katie Couric gets it

It seems that the mighty (to print media anyhow) Associated Press has done more than ruffle some feathers (h/t) of bloggers and other online media outlets by using their dinosaur-like clout to sue for what is deemed by their own copyright terms as fair use. Apparently the AP would rather maintain a death grip on their member-generated content than allow it to gain wider exposure via outlets where revenue generation is basically non-existent.

I'm not going to claim to know everything about the business model of the Associated Press but from my dealings with them at my former employer they essentially act as a distribution/gathering medium for content used in/created by daily newspapers. The member newspapers contribute stories relevant to wider distribution to the AP and receive a "wire" feed electronically consisting of content from any number of categories with their continuing membership dues. The AP, in turn, distributes content received via both the direct wire feed to newspapers, a top secret web service for stories, photos and graphics and also to their own website. I know they do have their own stable of reporters but the number to me is unknown. Locally in Minneapolis, the AP head honcho is Dave Pyle and my dealings with him were always more on the tech side and finding out the he is also the local bureau chief makes him a jack of all trades and leads me to believe that they (AP) run with a rather lean staff.

The thing that I am confused about is how the AP can claim that even citing a quote violates their copyright when buried deep in their legalese is language stating that citing a quote is fine and jim-dandy. I am well aware that the AP is simply trying to protect their revenue stream but getting more sets of eyeballs in front of your content (and then monetizing it via advertising) seems to be the traditional way of surviving in the online world. Avid readers wanting more than the quote cited on a blog or other website will amazingly click a link to find the rest of the story.

As for diminishing the value of their created or gathered content, they don't need to worry if they offer additional content above and beyond that enhances the reader experience. A photo slideshow, some audio or video and you've got your bases covered (and if cheery little Katie Couric is game, you should be too). Wake the hell up Associated Press, the written word isn't exactly everything.