Does this count as Copied Content ?

[shaz_lhr]

Hi,

we are publishing news on our website blog. In the news we use excerpts from other websites but do mention the source like "according to XYZ news source" etc.

Does it count as copied content as sometime copyscape shows alsmot 30% duplicated content due to inclusion of references from different sources in our news stories ?

Regards,

shahzad

[shaz_lhr]

It is not that copysace always shows 30% match . Normally it is between 8% to 15% but the source is always mentioned with proper details.

Please tell me if it counts as duplicated content from Search Engine point of view or not. Are Google Algorithms intelligent enough to understand that copied content is used only for reference and not to steal anyone's work ? Can google understand the intent of copied content if source of original content is also mentioned ?

Thanks,

[RobertFisher]

You make an excellent point. I am not sure about it legally though (will ask one of our clients). I do believe on a news source, if you give attribution, it is still doable. Again, I am not an attorney. I just believe there is a public domain issue at some point on the news. (All news is re reported after the first incidence). 
The 30% he was referring to regards duplicate content so is 30% of the content on his page, not the content attributable to the source.

But, you raise a very good point. Thanks,

[jeffreytrull1]

I don't think that Creative Commons license applies unless they explcitly state that on the news site.

For example, CNN.com says "All Right Reserved" at the bottom of their page. If you check out the terms and conditions, it says "You may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale, create derivative works, or in any way exploit, any of the content, in whole or in part. You may download copyrighted material for your personal use only."

MSNBC.com is even more clear on their Terms and Conditions: "You may not modify, copy, reproduce, republish, upload, post, transmit, or distribute in any way any material from this site including code and software without express permission from MSNBC or as permitted inReprint Requests ."

I'm not an expert, but taking 30% of their content does not seem to meet their rules for reproducing their content no matter if you're attributing the source or not. Perhaps a quote or two from an article is fine, but 30% sounds like a lot.

Perhaps the sites that Shahzad is using do follow Creative Commons, but many of the major news sites do not seem to do that.

[jeffreytrull1]

Oops, I misread. Sorry. See my response to your comment.

[RobertFisher]

Jeffrey,

I would agree with you and I rant about those who do steal, but Shazad says in the Q and A:

but do mention the source like......

Best

[RobertFisher]

Since you are giving attribution: "but do mention the source like "according to XYZ news source" etc." You are likely following the creative commons rules since you are copying from another news source. Here is where you can check :   creative commons licenses

I don't think using 30% from another source for a news piece will present many problems for duplicate content but would think you are reaching a limit or close to it.

Hope it helps,

[jeffreytrull1]

Edited: see my response to Robert