After having to answer the same questions regarding copyright and images etc. I came across this excellent primer that more or less explains exactly what you need to know if you are going to be running a website of your own. It's a long read, but you definitely need to know what it says. So if even if it takes a couple of days to read... do yourself a favour and read the whole thing available at the link below. Source: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW PRIMER FOR MULTIMEDIA AND WEB DEVELOPERS An extract of some of the most important bits...
Nice article. I see that the article is from 1996, but I took an Intellectual Property law class last semester and the myths/rules are still pretty much the same.
That's true, the laws haven't changed so it still applies. At least it should give a good basis for understanding the issues.
It doesn't matter. Next month the thread will be lost, people won't search and the same questions will pop up. My favorite is the user who asks a question that was answered some 2-4 threads down.
Too true! Perhaps one of the mods will have pity on us and sticky one of the threads explaining things in detail... but even then it won't be a guarantee that people will actually read it!
Uh, you didnt link to the author, therefore you are breaking the law.. It must have attition or it would be illegal to post that here. ROb.
I clearly linked to the source/author at the very top of the page, before showing the extracts. They also allow for using the full article for educational purposes (but due to limitations of post sizes, I couldn't post the complete article here). Edit: To make you happy I added the authors copyright notice and link to the bottom of the quote as well.
You said it, people do not search but as a matter of fact communities are for helping each other. If you read this great article and your memory serves you well, pointing a member to this reading is just part of your contribution as valuable DP member
The cases are a long list of big corporations smashing small fish from the 80's and 90's. Here here to widening the capitalistic playing field.
You added the source 1hr after i made that comment. Thanks for linking to the source, sorry to bring that up, i just thought if you were gona quote a copyright tutorial you at least provide attrition like the article so clearly states. Edit: And i was rude...was i? Well i wasn't trying to be. Sorry if you took it the wrong way. Check your rep, it is nice a green one unlike the one you gave to me. ROb
Hi Rob. The source at the top was there from the start. I added the one at the bottom after you pointed it out. Better to be extra safe! I didn't red rep you or say that you were rude.
Some points: YOU CAN BE SUED FOR USING PUBLIC DOMAIN MATERIAL!! Example: A military officer may have taken a picture of Babe Ruth in the 1930s. If you use the photo in an advertisement for, say, VIAGRA, you can get sued by Ruth's estate for damaging the image of Ruth, etc. Also, here's another....if you have an old photograph taken in the 1920s, but it shows Coca Cola logos on, say, a store on Main Street, you can be liable for trademark infringement!! So, nothing is ever in the public domain.
For those reluctant readers here's the condensed version The Golden rule Always assume that something (pictures, text etc.) is copyrighted unless it is explicitly stated that the image is in the public domain or can be freely used. Even if something is in the public domain you need to be careful that it doesn't contain trademarks or could lead to other issues. Also be sure about the source that states the image is in the public domain or can be freely used. Online image sharing sites like Flickr etc. are notorious for people uploading copyrighted works as their own and stating that they can be freely used (which is not the case). The copyright holder will hold you responsible for the infringement regardless of where you got the image, so make absolutely sure that it comes from a trustworthy source. A lack of a copyright notice does not mean that it isn't copyrighted. All content is immediately copyrighted as soon as it is fixed in a tangible form. You need to obtain permission from the copyright holder first, before using anything from another site on your websites. Having a notice like "If the site contains any copyrighted works, please notify us and we will remove it" doesn't provide any protection. Linking to the source and giving credit doesn't negate the fact that you are infringing on a copyrighted work. Basically it can be summed up in a simple sentence: Unless you have permission to use something - don't use it! What can happen to you if you infringe on copyrights? This will vary according to the content (images, text, audio etc.) you are infringing upon. Actions taken against you could include, but are not limited to, any of the following: A Friendly request from copyright holder to remove the content Cease-and-desist letter from copyright holder's lawyer demanding removal of copyrighted material DMCA request filed to search engines and your host for removal of your site Being charged usage fees (especially in the case of images) for using the copyrighted material Being sued for damages by the copyright holder (according to US law, up to an amount of $150 000 per image/article etc.)
But we can use the things that are in public domain mentioning the source and for non commercial use. I hope I am right?
so, what exactly that public domain means to us. is all the websites we can access are on public domain? can i copy the contents of another blog and paste in my blog? Sounds Dumb but em confused!!!!!!
NO! Unless it is clearly defined as being public domain, it's not. Although I see what you mean, "public domain" is much different than something available to the public. Examples of public domain works would be (1) pamphlets produced by the government and (2) books written before 1923 (I think...) that have not had their copyright renewed. The main thing to remember is that most work is copyrighted and is not public domain