[READ THIS FIRST – There has been an update regarding the topic of this post.]
Yesterday, we talked about Churches Ripping-Off Churches. It was a classic story of copy meets paste. Websites being designed and developed by copying code without permission or attribution, and releasing it as their own.
An interesting discussion arose, one that I did not foresee. I thought the conversation would center around the lack of creativity, the violation of ethics, and maybe even law. These things were mentioned here and there, but they were not the center piece.
I was sincerely impressed.
If I were to boil the discussion down to one word, it would be:
Sharing.
These were some of the comments:
Benefiting from someone else’s hard work and investment without permission, recognition and/or compensation has to violate some kind of ethical principal.
It’s inappropriate for a church to take without asking.
On the one hand, it’s “unethical” but on the other, to really raise a ruckus would be like throwing elbows whilst grabbing a rebound in basketball, while another (less talented) player yells: “Dude, same team!”
This kind of thing makes me nuts. I have had my blog design ripped off in small and large pieces. If someone asks, I always say, “yes.” If they don’t, I always feel ripped off. I think this is theft, pure and simple.
Im on staff at North Point Community Church and we have a similar philosophy as Life Church. We routinely give away code and help other churches when asked.
As a video producer, I would gladly share my work with another church that asked. I have asked other churches to use videos before, no one has ever told me no.
I was impressed with how willing top professionals in the field of web design are so willing to hand over their work to aid the Church. It’s counter cultural. It’s Christ like. It was a real breath of fresh air.
Brian Notess put it best:
I think my biggest lesson from all this is to ask people to give me their code
So true!
Michael Hyatt is the fourth leading Church blog and Nathan Smith developed the 960 Grid System, and they freely share! There’s no reason why we shouldn’t politely ask. At the same time, we should also be willing to attribute and give recognition of the fine work of others.
As willing as someone is to share, we should be willing to give credit.
Don’t you think?
[Image via David Ip]
Tim Liston says
Do the right thing.
Eric Dye says
I wouldn’t think of doing anything, else. Please, read here.