Questions regarding TOS and collecting posts

[Swords_to_Plowshares]

I am doing a machine learning project that requires a large amount of text documents written by people over the internet. One of my first thoughts was to use sdmb posts. However, I read the TOS and it says:

Except for content you have posted on straightdope.com, or unless expressly permitted, you may not copy, reproduce, distribute, publish, enter into a database, display, perform, modify, create derivative works, transmit, or in any way exploit any part of straightdope.com, except that you may download material for your own personal use as follows: you may make one machine readable copy and/or one print copy that is limited to occasional articles of personal interest only. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you may not distribute any part of straightdope.com over any network, including a local area network, nor sell or offer it for sale. In addition, these files may not be used to construct any kind of database.

So clearly I cannot mine posts willy-nilly. Would I be allowed to use posts if the user explicitly permitted me to? I suspect the answer is no, since the TOS and disclaimer imply that Creative Loafing own the content, not the user. And if the answer is no, then I fully understand and I won’t undergo anything of this nature on these boards.

[choie]

Asking each individual separately seems like a lot of work. Why don’t you do a search for either public domain or (if it must be written specifically for the web) blogs that use a Creative Commons license instead?

Here’s a good tutorial on finding Creative Commons works on Google.

Or you can also look at this text site list from CreativeCommons.org.

Just a thought.

[Swords_to_Plowshares]

I will probably end up having to do something like that.

[choie]

You’re welcome.

[Inner_Stickler]

@Swords_to_Plowshares

I suspect the answer is no, since the TOS and disclaimer imply that Creative Loafing own the content, not the user.

No, my posts are my posts and I can do anything with them that I wish. By posting them here, I give the board a NONexclusive and irrevocable right to use my posts as well.

[Measure_for_Measure]

You could also apply to TBTB for a grant, probably via PM. The grant would be in-kind. Seriously, we’re here to fight ignorance and if you have a research proposal, you may be able to get permission.

[Canadjun]

@Swords_to_Plowshares

So clearly I cannot mine posts willy-nilly. Would I be allowed to use posts if the user explicitly permitted me to? I suspect the answer is no, since the TOS and disclaimer imply that Creative Loafing own the content, not the user. And if the answer is no, then I fully understand and I won’t undergo anything of this nature on these boards.

See the bottom of the web page.

No material contained in this site may be republished or reposted without express written consent of the Creative Loafing Media, Inc.,** except that message board users retain the right to republish or repost their own work**.

(emphasis added)

If the user has the right to republish/repost, I have difficulty seeing why he could not let you do the republishing on his behalf.

[Really_Not_All_That_Bright]

You have full and complete permission to use and/or republish my posts for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by law. 38,000 should be enough to be getting on with, right?

[Rhythmdvl]

Questions regarding TOS and collecting posts
I think Kirk was the best moderator; Janeway the worst.

[Irishman]

Janeway wasn’t on TOS. Clearly Bones wasn’t a very good moderator. He was all emotion pegged at 11. Spock was very moderator.

[Wheelz]

Swords to Plowshares, you hereby have my permission to use any of my SDMB posts, except those in which I sound stupid… which may severely limit your choices.