Here's another 10-10-10 Top Ten list. This time, it's for image creators and photographers. You've heard these lines from your clients. It's time to dispel these common myths.
1. You must register with the U.S. Copyright Office to get a copyright ... FALSE.
2. The image must be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office to sue for copyright infringement ... FALSE.
3. You must be a U.S. citizen to register a copyright in the USA ... FALSE.
4. Copyright can protect my ideas ... FALSE.
5. A "poor man's copyright" (mailing a sealed copy to yourself) is the only registration you need ... FALSE.
6. If you don't defend your copyright, you lose it ... FALSE.
7. It can still be a "fair use" when someone makes money from the image use ... FALSE.
8. If an image is old, it cannot be copyrighted ... FALSE.
9. Copyright infringement is not a crime ... FALSE.
10. If you give an image to your client, they can use it for whatever they like ... FALSE.
These points are over simplified. Check out more thorough explanations at in the comments section of this post.
(Note: This is not written by a lawyer, and this is not legal advise. Do consult a lawyer to get legal advice concerning copyright. This list suggests common misinformation about copyright and is not a definitive list.)
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Top 10 Copyright Myths For Image Users
10-10-10. October 10, 2010 is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime date. A great excuse for a Top 10 List!
Here are the top ten copyright myths for image users. Professionals and amateurs alike make these mistakes, which can be costly.
1. If an image has a Creative Commons license, you can do whatever you want with it ... FALSE.
2. Images found on the Internet are free to use ... FALSE.
3. It's OK to use an image for free as long as you give proper credit ... FALSE.
4. Modifying an existing image creates a new image that you can claim as your own ... FALSE.
5. It's OK to copy part of an image as long as you don't use the entire image ... FALSE.
6. If an image doesn't have a copyright notice (i.e., the "©" symbol), it's in the public domain and can be used for free ... FALSE.
7. If you paid to use an image, you own it ... FALSE.
8. It's OK to use someone's image as long as you don't make money with it ... FALSE.
9. Once you remove the image from your web site, you don't have any liability ... FALSE.
10. If you can't find the copyright holder, you can use the image for free ... FALSE.
These points are over simplified. Check out the comments for more thorough explanations.
(Note: This is not written by a lawyer, and this is not legal advise. Do consult a lawyer to get legal advice concerning copyright. This list suggests common reasons why some people violate copyright and is not a definitive list.)
Here are the top ten copyright myths for image users. Professionals and amateurs alike make these mistakes, which can be costly.
1. If an image has a Creative Commons license, you can do whatever you want with it ... FALSE.
2. Images found on the Internet are free to use ... FALSE.
3. It's OK to use an image for free as long as you give proper credit ... FALSE.
4. Modifying an existing image creates a new image that you can claim as your own ... FALSE.
5. It's OK to copy part of an image as long as you don't use the entire image ... FALSE.
6. If an image doesn't have a copyright notice (i.e., the "©" symbol), it's in the public domain and can be used for free ... FALSE.
7. If you paid to use an image, you own it ... FALSE.
8. It's OK to use someone's image as long as you don't make money with it ... FALSE.
9. Once you remove the image from your web site, you don't have any liability ... FALSE.
10. If you can't find the copyright holder, you can use the image for free ... FALSE.
These points are over simplified. Check out the comments for more thorough explanations.
(Note: This is not written by a lawyer, and this is not legal advise. Do consult a lawyer to get legal advice concerning copyright. This list suggests common reasons why some people violate copyright and is not a definitive list.)
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