To Our Readers:

This newspaper and its websites have always taken copyright issues seriously, both as creators of content and as users of other people's content. In fact, everything that appears in a typical edition or on our website is copyright protected.

Nonetheless, our work is illegally reproduced every day on websites across the country and around the world.

The federal Copyright Act protects our rights and our readers' rights to make fair use of copyrighted content. The law allows people to quote a small amount of a copyrighted story so as to be able to comment on it, perhaps even to criticize us. That's the essence of free speech in a vigorous democracy.

But fair use of our content means reproducing a couple of paragraphs or a summary of a story and then providing a web link to the entire work on our website. It does not entitle someone to appropriate and display most or all of a story, photograph or graphic on their website. To do so is a violation of our copyright and we will use all legal remedies available to address these copyright infringements.

We understand people want to share what they find interesting in our publications and on our websites and we encourage all to do so. This is a reminder that there is a correct and legal way to do that.

With your continued support and compliance with the law, we will remain a vital and trusted source for unique and unduplicated content affecting you and our community.