Accentuate Writers Forum

Quote 5 Words From the Associated Press? That’ll Be $12.50

RobertArend - 8/6/2009 at 08:44 PM

Those of us that quote sources in our articles need to be aware of Associated Press (AP) new requirements: they want paid, starting at $2.50 a word for use of the first five words. AP has employed icopywrite to scour the web for works sourcing AP product.

Check it out here: http://mashable.com/2009/08/02/associated-press/

Amy Browne - 8/6/2009 at 08:58 PM

whoa that is horrific ... I am sure that will get pretty darn expensive

Sevastian Winters - 8/6/2009 at 11:06 PM

5 words???? lol. Lots of luck. Do you know how easy it is to get 5 words in common with another writer in a world of so many writers? If they ever try to fine me, I can tell you exactly which region of my ass they can kiss. Dear AP...The world has changed. Now kindly go learn the finer art of self copulation.

Skwerly - 8/7/2009 at 12:24 AM

LOL! That about says it all, Sevastian! :)

Michy - 8/7/2009 at 08:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Sevastian Winters  
5 words???? lol. Lots of luck. Do you know how easy it is to get 5 words in common with another writer in a world of so many writers? If they ever try to fine me, I can tell you exactly which region of my ass they can kiss. Dear AP...The world has changed. Now kindly go learn the finer art of self copulation.


They aren't looking for people who just happen to match five words.

They are looking for people like those on AC who say:

According to an AP article, judge so and so said, "QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE."

They are saying that if you want to use their original investigative research, you should pay for it, or else do your own research.

I agree with them.

However, I don't think they can enforce it.

Michy - 8/7/2009 at 08:30 AM

Here's what I said on AC about this:

AP is saying, rightfully so, that they should not be the source. They report information from the source, but are not the source. Their belief is, if you want the information, you get it from them or from the sources they used to get it, but you don't quote them.

They have always had a weird view on fair use, and it's mostly been unenforceable... they are now trying to make it enforceable.

I will take a very unpopular opinion here by saying I don't think any writer should quote AP as a source, ever.

If you can't do your own research and be a journalist by going into the field and actually writing about things first hand, then you're merely regurgitating the news and that's not acceptable in my book.

Is it overboard? Absolutely. AP has always gone overboard, but I don't have an issue with them saying, "Don't quote us."

As a wire service, they want folks to PAY to use the wire. Do they offer feeds for free? Yes, but that's THEIR feed which leads back to THEIR site.

To be quoted as the source of information is actually inaccurate and bad reporting - citizen journalism or not. AP is not and has never been the source of information. They simply report information from the source.

Now you see why I got so pissed about AC calling us sources and saying 'information from the source', when that most definitely was not the case in the majority of articles on AC.

karenb - 8/7/2009 at 10:37 AM

I have a question now. (I had two, Michy answered one already.)

Let's say you run across one of the articles from their writer/journalist, you read it, you have your own opinion about whatever the article is about. Would using the article from the journalist to write an op-ed about the topic be included in this? Or is it as Michy stated in the quote below? Just a bit confused about this. I try not to quote what others write in their articles, but talk about it and list the article as a source/resource of what I am talking about so others can go to the article and read the original.
Quote: Originally posted by Michelle L Devon (Michy)  
Quote: Originally posted by Sevastian Winters  
5 words???? lol. Lots of luck. Do you know how easy it is to get 5 words in common with another writer in a world of so many writers? If they ever try to fine me, I can tell you exactly which region of my ass they can kiss. Dear AP...The world has changed. Now kindly go learn the finer art of self copulation.


They aren't looking for people who just happen to match five words.

They are looking for people like those on AC who say:

According to an AP article, judge so and so said, "QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE QUOTE."

They are saying that if you want to use their original investigative research, you should pay for it, or else do your own research.

I agree with them.

However, I don't think they can enforce it.

Michy - 8/7/2009 at 10:44 AM

Fair Use says you can use a nonsubstantial portion of it for commentary and critique in things like op/eds, so you should be able to - that won't mean AP won't try to charge for it. It just means if they sued, you'd probably win.

karenb - 8/7/2009 at 10:46 AM

Ok, gotcha.

Just reading this here, your blog, and over at AC kind of gave me one of thinking headaches.

Cyndee - 8/7/2009 at 10:51 AM

Makes me glad that I write mainly articles about gluing plungers to watermelons and such. giggles

Michy - 8/7/2009 at 10:54 AM

Cyndee, do they make good hats?

Cyndee - 8/7/2009 at 11:06 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Michelle L Devon (Michy)  
Cyndee, do they make good hats?


With my imagination, they make good anythings...what kind hat do ya want? lol

karenb - 8/7/2009 at 11:32 AM

Lol Cyndee.