Entry for April 10, 2008Expelled Update: Copyright infringement
It has been reported on MZ Myers blog “pharyngula” that “Expelled” has a computer animation about processes within a biological cell. It turns out that the sequence is quite similar to a video sequence from XVIVO.A few days ago, XVIVO has contacted the “Expelled” producers and demanded that the the sequence be removed from the film.Of all places on the internet, this letter is available for download at the NCSE (National Center for Science Education, a private and very outspoken NGO critical of Intelligent Design).http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/EXPELLED-Letter.pdfMy comment: what I have seen from the film trailer, it seems to be a genuine claim about copyright infringement. What was the purpose of the “Expelled” producers? Did they want to stir even more controversy? Didn’t they realize the copyright issue? Wait and see how they react. Will they remove the material from the film? Will they show a black screen instead with the words “contents had to be removed because of copyright violation”? Will they keep the material and thus risk a lawsuit (which they will most likely lose)?My advice to the “Expelled” producers is to play all cards honestly. If they are out to report injustice with that film, they should be as just as possible themselves. Everything else will fall back on them and their supporters. It might stir the interest in the film and increase the short-term profit, but in the long run, being dishonest will damage their cause.
