AboutBill Frank Expertise I help authors become publishers. I'm a self-publishing consultant with resources in editing, graphic design, printing, distribution and marketing. I can help you turn your manuscript into a published book. I identify the best distribution channels for your book. I also help you build a marketing plan to sell the book. I specialize in non-fiction books and I take fiction books on a selective basis.
Experience Book layout and design; book printing; channels of distribution and book marketing.
Organizations Publishers' Marketing Association. Book Publicists of Southern California.
Education/Credentials MBA in Marketing and Finance. BA in Economics.
Expert: Bill Frank Date: 2/17/2008 Subject: Proper Article Source Citation
Question Hello Bill,
If I attach an article from a free internet article source on my website do I necessarily have to attach that author's link signature (which is usually attatched) near the bottom? I would think so. My concern is that it could result in my customer clicking on the author's link thus the potential customer leaving my site.
Someone suggested I just cite the article author within the body(text) of the article such as "Expert Robert Doe says,"this or that." or maybe Jane Doe, an authority, professor, director of such and such dept., etc. shared the following thoughts.
Also, would I have to get specific permission from the free article's author if I do eliminate the signature link at the bottom and prefer to cite the author in the text?
I would appreciate any professional assistance.
With Best Regards,
Mike E.
Answer Hi, Mike. This is more of a legal question than anything else. I'm not a lawyer, but I'll share what is commonly accepted practice.
Yes, you do have to include the author's signature file whenever you use an article from one of the Free Article sites. A mere citation is insufficient. If you read the conditions on the Free Article sites, most will tell you to use the entire author's block. It is unlikely that the Free Article site would deviate from that policy, even if you wrote to ask permission.
