I need some ethical guidance here…
I’ve been taking this bootcamp class at my gym for the past few weeks and it has been seriously, SERIOUSLY kicking my ass. I would love to post these workouts because they are simple and you can do at home with a few weights or even just using your bodyweight. My ass has never been so kicked in my life.
Half the time I post things here it’s to remind myself what I did and because I think something is worthy of sharing (and hopefully motivating/inspiring) others.
So here’s my question: If I post it — is is stealing? In no way will I claim that it’s my workout, but a part of me feels like it’s like posting someone else’s work. I worry that she would somehow come across my blog and see that I’m posting workouts that SHE created (even if I credit her).
I see a lot of workouts on Pinterest and I wonder — did these people make up these workouts or did they take a class and just take notes? Does is matter? Why do I care so much?
A huge part of me wants to share, but another part thinks about how my mom caught me plagiarizing for a report in the 3rd or 4th grade (don’t worry – I rewrote the report!). It seems so harmless at the time, but the ramifications can be huge.
So, what’s your stance? To post or not to post? WWYD?
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I say post–it’s something you experienced, so why not? I don’t think there’s anything original on the internet anywhere anymore anyway (huh??), so I wouldn’t feel too terrible about it. Plus, I need a push to keep doing strength-type workouts when I start marathon training (in 10-ish days!) and it will now be your fault if I don’t.
So true about finding anything original on the internet anymore. Thanks Pinterest
I am going to post them – just modified. Get ready to get your assed kicked.
You could ask the instructor if he/she minds if you post it. I don’t think there’s really anything wrong with it, but if it makes you feel at ease, just ask. I do find it weird when people repost recipes as if they are their own, but I’m not sure if a workout falls in the same category. Orrrr you could add your own modifications and make it your own. This is a good question!
It annoys the crap out of me when people post recipes that are different in absolutely NO WAY than the original. Sadly, it’s only a copyright issue if it’s written exactly the same. So if you change some of the wording in the directions it doesn’t violate copyright. If I post a recipe it’s always because I’ve modified the ingredients from the original (and or course the directions) because it’s SUCH a pet peeve. Otherwise I’ll just link to it!
Because of that – I am going to post the workouts – just modify them AND still give her credit.
You were in the 4th grade.. and Mrs. Cohen was the one who caught you.. plus.. don’t forget how you forged my signature in that same period. I agree with Jessica… ask.. the worse she can say is “NO”.. then move forward and copy her with your own signature!
If I knew her better I would ask – but for now I’m just going to modify the workouts.
I can’t remember what grade it was – but I remember it was a report on crustaceans. Hee. The signature bit was with my OTHER 4th grade teacher. Forget her name.
Hmm…this is a good one. I’ll play devil’s advocate since that’s my full-time job.
I actually think the analogy to a recipe is a good one. A recipe isn’t necessarily protected by copyright. However, if the author provides detailed instructions to support the recipe, then it may be protectable. Listing just ingredients? No. Not protected. So when a blogger takes Ina Garten’s chicken recipe and reposts it in its entirety without properly sourcing her – that’s a problem. Seeing that Ina makes chicken using lemons, olive oil and sage and then making your own recipe instructions? Grayer area. To cite or not to cite?
So think about that in terms of the work out. I highly, highly doubt that your trainer invented those individual exercises, but they likely invented the “routine.” Is it the routine, in its exact entirety and order, that makes it so effective? Or is it the individual exercises? In other words, would you have to copy her exact recipe to make the bootcamp work like it does? Are you planning on putting her instructions for doing the exercises on the blog, or can you explain it in your own words?
Not that this is a a copyright issue, but I think the analogy is there. Is it her work product? Yeah, maybe. Maybe not. Who’s to say if she created it or not? But if it is, I would play it safe and ask. And point out that you have a following of people who could use bootcamp (say, starting in January 2013
) so she might benefit from some free advertising.
Victoria just lawyered you. Boom.
I have no real opinion on it other than selfishly hoping you post it so I can have some new workouts for the gym because currently Katy comes up with all of our lunchtime workouts and clearly she’s not going to be able to help me in a couple months. Damn maternity leave.
And I’m too lazy for Pinterest. Or the Internet.
Yeah, whoops. Sorry, hope I didn’t come across as bitchy. Hormones + posting at work = bad news bears.
Oh no – not bitchy at all!! I just haven’t had time to respond. I actually agree with you, which is why I hesitate to post the workouts. It’s a very grey area – especially when people are pinning the shit out of things these days. It’s hard to locate the original source.
It bugs me to NO end when people just blantantly copy a recipe and don’t change anything and claim it’s their own – so I want make sure I don’t go against my pet peeves here!
I would love to tell her I’m using the workouts on my post – maybe at some point when I feel more comfortable blurting out I have a blog. Ha ha. Instead, I think I might change up the routines, so they include the same exercises but the way they are presented (aka – the routine part) is different.
I totally didn’t mean bitchy either. I just meant it was a well-reasoned, completely logical argument. And reminded me why I hate arguing with my husband. Damn lawyers and your Socratic methods.
And I was really confused because your response came to me as a comment on the blog, so I thought Michelle wrote that. And then I thought she thought I thought the post was bitchy. And I had a “she thinks that I think what she thought meant this but really I meant what the other she thought” moment. And then my head exploded from the circle of thinking. Glad I could do that to your head, too.
I should say – this Michelle because I know it doesn’t provide the author. LOL.
LOL to the she thinks that I think she thought moment. It’s like Friends, but more confusing.
LOL on being lawyered. Lawyered just the way I like it
See – this was exactly my train of thought. I know that if I were an instructor and someone posted my workout I would be flattered – but that’s me. And yeah – the exercises are nothing new – it’s just the way they were put together. I think I will still post them, but modify them — and still give her credit for the inspiration.