# Copyright issues and public health **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [December 7, 2002, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135 "2002-12-07T15:11:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![loner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ba0ec/32.png) [@loner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/loner)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2002, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/1 "2002-12-07T15:11:13Z")
People at my gym have an annoying tendency to NOT wash their hands after going to the bathroom. I wanted to tape [this column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a4_220.html) over the urinals and on the stall doors, but I became concerned about possible copyright issues. I presume Mr. Adams would be gald to assist in spreading the word, but wanted to know if I need to obtain written permission before doing so. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2002, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/2 "2002-12-09T23:58:17Z")
I’ll try to find out for you loner. Stay tuned. ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/3 "2002-12-10T03:02:11Z")
You are welcome to put copies of this column up at your gym. As long as you don’t sell them. The point of TSD is to put losers in their place. ps - you should wear lifting gloves at the gym, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/4 "2002-12-10T11:11:31Z")
Cecil says go ahead. Above the urinals may not be the world’s classiest venue, but we figure you gotta hit 'em where they live. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/5 "2002-12-10T14:41:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JillGat \* > \*\*ps - you should wear lifting gloves at the gym, anyway. \*\* Yes, I find them to be an absolute necessity, especially at the urinals. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2002, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/6 "2002-12-10T16:40:42Z")
Another trick is to fold the columns into little paper boats. This has been discussed as a method for getting little boys to practice their aiming skills. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-issues-and-public-health/141135/7 "2002-12-17T19:24:58Z")
So long as you actually buy copies of the paper in which Cecil’s column appeared, (for the copies of the column) and so long as you do not sell the columns, I’m durned if I know how he or his syndicate could touch you…