Tomas67

Hello! I don't like to talk about myself, I'm pretty much a very quiet person who tries to mind my own business and live day to day dealing with whatever life throws my way. I am a train/railroad enthusiast, and I've had my share of volunteering with a couple of tourist railroads in my area over the years. I'm enjoying this website, as I find the challenge of solving a jigsaw puzzle personally satisfying. I am Dyslexic, so that adds an extra challenge to solving these puzzles. I have a couple of railroad-themed groups on Facebook that I am the Administrator for, and I try to keep them fresh and updated as often as I can.

There has been some "criticism" directed toward me about the fact that I blatantly share, use, and post photos from RailPictures.net, or other sites - which it is often "slapped" up-side my head that using or sharing or posting photos from that site, or other sources, is "copyright infringement" and that I could be sued or get into some serious trouble for this practice.

I want you to know - that I am well aware of "copyright infringement" as I had been employed as a photojournalist for a small local publication in my area and I know my rights regarding what I am sharing, using, and posting.

BUT - just in case anyone has a question about this concern and needs a little refresher about "copyright laws" or "copyright infringement", here is my legal support and legal right to share these photos and make them into a puzzle. The following quote from Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 allows me to do this and use these photos as it explains the practice of "Fair Use" of copyrighted materials - which is what I am doing and practicing... "FAIR USE"!

The Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “Fair Use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit and no financial gain, educational or personal use, also tips the balance in favor of "Fair Use". - Section 107, Copyright Act of 1976.

So - because this is an educational and personal use and a creatively fun group that is non-profit, and I'm not making any money from these photos (as in, I'm not selling them) nor am I taking personal credit for taking them either - then this practice falls under the protection of the "Fair Use" allowance of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976.

Now - If you still have a problem - take it up with the U.S. Supreme Court and Congress!

I joined Jigidi on 12 January 2022 and was last seen on 20 March 2023. I've solved 444 puzzles (1 daily) and put together 53050 pieces (122.9 daily)