Anyone who has edited a document with me knows that I’m not one to split hairs over how something is worded. Laws, rules, and guidelines are a different story. Up to this point, the AP has spoke of “standards” and “guidelines.” Yet unless this becomes some kind of implied license on their site’s terms of use, I can’t see how any kind of standard would fit their best interests or that of bloggers. Trying to draw specifics on how much or in what way a quote can be used may deter online dialogue. I for one wouldn’t want to count words in a quote before hitting the “publish” button.
I’m hoping to be surprised. I also hope there’s not some hidden expectation that bloggers start paying into the AP co-op.