Copyright help desired

[George]

To honor my current signature, not stepping on toes, I am hoping ya'll will "learn me good" regarding the do's and dont's of publication. [My, partial, local search did not show a similar thread.]

For instance....

What should I do when technical data (e.g. Neckel Labs irradiance results) from a web site is used in a report or presentation? Can I simply reference the website? Do I footnote Neckel Labs?

If the publication is old (N-L is from 1984), does this change requirements?

I notice ASTM will sell me irradiance data. If I purchase from them, do I simply footnote it in any presentation. Does the fact ASTM is selling certain data sets alter what I may do?

In general, what are the restrictions I need to honor?

Is it different for public presentation material vs. book publication?

I have no interest in reading all the copyright laws, but if there is a simple book that apply's to my case, I would appreciate your referral.

[teddyv]

Reference styles can vary a bit based on what field you are in. For my field (geology) we more or less follow the Geological Survey handbook that states how to cite for papers submitted to the Survey.

For presentations I usually just cite a source as an author/date, or a "modified after" if there are changes made. I have no idea if this is in fact correct, but never been questioned.

[jnik]

Really, the best person to talk to regarding citation in your field would be your advisor. It's much more of an ethics/professionalism issue than a legal one.

In general, if you include information from it, cite it. It doesn't matter how old it is (including if it's out of copyright--if you quote Maxwell 1881, cite it!) The exception is very well-known physics from textbooks--no need to cite Maxwell (or Jackson or Griffiths) just to use his equations.

For web sites, many will have preferred citation information on the site. If they don't, you can try emailing the webmaster or cobble something up. Mathworld (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FreeSemigroup.html) has "cite this as" at the bottom of each page. It's usually best to avoid citing the web if you can--try to dig back to the original source.

[George]

Thanks to both of you - advisor jnik and advisor tedyvv. :)

When you say "cite", does this mean state the source immediately following the information used from them? Or, is a superscript mark with a footnote at the end customary?

When it comes to science, all I really have is BABBERS as I am not in the science/education field.

Nevertheless, I have been asked to give a seminar to physicists/astronomers. Yet, I have never been to a science seminar. :roll: Shoot, I can hardly do a post right. :-?

[pseudo edit: However, editing allows me a higher grammatical facade which is not an available tool in open dialogue during a seminar. :) ]

[teddyv]

If you are just doing a presentation (i.e. Powerpoint), I wouldn't get carried away. If you use any copyrighted images include the name of the creator. I think this would fall under fair use (though I could be wrong on this).

Specific quotes from text or other material should have its source after it (can be smaller).

As I've said, I don't know the true etiquette, and would happily defer to anyone who knows better. Ultimately as long as there is some sort of reference to any specific copyrighted material, I don't think anyone will question you on it. Use your judgement.

[George]

Thanks. I felt this was the case for a presentation, but I never had to be concerned in the past.

It is possible a book or mag. article may come of this work. If some income is a result, wouldn't this require permission to use the data and/or refrences? Where does that fine line exist?