The information, which was a high level description of the law in the US, was accurate.  Yes, there are specifics and more detail to each and every one of the details that he quoted.  Yes, each and everything he said can be twisted in many different ways as that is the way with the legal system. 

MIZ - it was a great idea to post your original post in this thread, next time say name the person you are quoting. . . 

By the way if you do not register your copyright, and you are infringed, you will not get an award.  The first step when on is infringed, is to register your image or better have your attorney register it for you.  If you do not register your image your case will not stand in court.  (note:  I am not a lawyer, but I had an infringement case several years ago, my attorney registered the copyright, as is the standard procedure in infringement cases, and we won albeit out of court once I showed related frames on either side of the infringed image to prove it was my image and not some one else's image). 

If you do not register, you can not go to court and have a chance to win.  As RT eluded to, there are certainities that you will win, but if you do not register as soon as possible after (or before infringement) you will do be able to "play" in court.

Keep in mind that we have the copyright once we click the shutter, but for infringement, the procedure is to register it with the copyright office.  This is the case in the US, but not necessarily the case outside the US. 

As usual when you need legal advice concerning copyright, go to an attorney familar with the respective laws in your jurisdiction, do not go to a photoforum.

Here's links to the Ed Greenberg interview:

Part 1:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czzNOPbJWk" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4czzNOPbJWk</a>

Part 2:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGZ_pJQ-_EU" target="_blank" class="aeva_link bbc_link new_win">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGZ_pJQ-_EU</a>

Scott

ichiro17 -

The one item that you do not have on the list is a good heavy tripod (maybe you alrady have one).  I have been shooting long lenses 500 and 600 mm for a long time and the tripod will help your success rate.  With IS you can getaway with a lighter tripod.  The Canon 500 f4 is an extremely good lens and sharper than the 600 so I think you are making an excellent choice there.

I am a Nikon shooter, but I have looked at imae from friends that have used the Canon teleconverters and they are amazingly good so the teleconverters are a good investment.  My reccomendation is to use the 500 without teleconverters initially, as the learning curve to use good long lense technique is pretty steep - be patient read online about some of the tricks of the trade in using the long lens.

The Better Beamer is a good investment and only costs about $40.

Scott