copyright -

Plagiarize! Plagiarize! Let no one else’s work evade your eyes!

Sure it’s funny there, but not so funny when you really do it. Or when someone comes after you because you stole their words or their photos. Just because it’s online doesn’t mean it’s free.

Everything is automatically copyright (and belongs to the person who created it), even if they don’t specifically say so.

There are some exceptions.

Public domain works

Copyright lasts 70 years. After that, it’s in the public domain (unless it’s renewed). You can use anything you like of Shakespeare’s, take your own pictures of the Acropolis (the builder can’t sue you), and photos that are in the public domain.

Creative Commons

Sometimes called “copy-left”, creative commons lets you create different degrees of copyright. Some are free to use if you attribute the creator. Others must be non-commercial (though it’s a bit unclear what commercial means – don’t use the image to illustrate a blog? don’t sell the image as a poster?). Another license lets you use the words or photos under a share and share alike license. This means you can use it, but whatever you use it for is also share alike (like Wikipedia). There are also lots of sources for free, legal photos.

Permission

You have permission. Sometimes, just asking will get you an OK to use something. If you want to use something of mine, just ask.

Fair use

This is a little tricky, but it essentially means that news organizations writing a story about McDonald’s can use a picture of the McDonald’s logo to illustrate their story. Or, a comedy show can use it as part of a spoof. You can also quote small portions of a copyrighted work (with attribution). If you’re going to sell something with the quote in it, you might want to get permission (like using a poem in your novel).

Note, I am not a lawyer. These are just general guidelines to keep you out of trouble.

Can you identify the quote at the top? Bonus points if you do.

When you work hard on a blog post, an article, or an ebook, it can be pretty frustrating to see people steal your words, your photos, or your designs.

While there are no perfect solutions, here are a few ways to stop content thieves from stealing your hard work (or at least slow them down).

1) Include a copyright statement, or even just a © symbol

Here’s an example:

No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or transmitted in any form (whether physical or electronic) without the prior express written permission of the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews.

2) Add a digital ID file

E-junkie (a digital downloading and shopping cart system), lets you add the purchaser’s name, email address, and transaction number to each downloaded file.

3) Put a security lock on the pdf

You can do this with Adobe Acrobat, or other pdf creation software such as Primo PDF or Nitro PDF.

4) Offer something that buyers can’t get from a copy

It could be a personalized consultation, or an extra bonus that requires proof of purchase.

5) Include links back to your site in your ebook

Hey, maybe you’ll get more clicks or a few extra legitimate sales.

6) Send takedown requests

Many times people will take down the content they copied, if you ask nicely. If not, you can write to their web host and tell them that the material is stolen. That should get their attention.

7) No more Mr. Nice Guy

If nice doesn’t work, you can always try this approach or this one.

BONUS TIP:

Sign up for Tynt.com. It will track what’s being copied, and generate a link back to you. Both free and paid versions available.

Have you had a problem with content thieves? What did you do to stop them?

Tag Archives: copyright

How to Safely Use Text and Photos You Find Online