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The Internet provides bloggers with a vast amount of helpful information.
Unfortunately, it also provides countless opportunities for copyright
infringement. Infringement, the legal term for violating the rights of a
copyright holder by using copyrighted work without permission, is a form
of theft that carries liability even if the wrongdoer didn’t realize the action
was wrong. The most common forms of infringement include improper
copying, distribution, and display of copyrighted works—frequently in the
form of “cut-and-paste” blogging.
Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice blog content to comply with law!
The Copyright Act provides several ways for bloggers and others to use
copyrighted material safely. Following a few simple rules will help keep
your blog copyright-safe!
C |
Copyright automatically attaches to all copyrightable works (including written materials, photographs, and videos) at the time of creation, whether or not the work bears a copyright symbol or notice. Always assume resources are copyrighted unless they clearly state
otherwise. |
O |
“Open source” materials are subject to a special form of “public license.” Read the license carefully before reproducing or posting open source materials on your blog, and make sure your use complies with the license terms. |
P |
“Public domain” describes a work that is no longer protected by copyright. Materials in the public domain may generally be copied or reproduced without liability, but it’s always a good idea to link and credit your source. |
Y |
Your blog is copyrighted too! Don’t do to other bloggers and website owners what you don’t want them doing to you! |
R |
Reasonable reproduction. Copyright prevents you from using or copying more than a “reasonable” amount of a protected work without permission. “Reasonableness” varies depending upon the nature of your use but almost never includes complete reproduction. Never “cut and paste” without permission, and take care not to reproduce so much of the original content that your blog becomes a “substitute” for visiting or using the original source. |
I |
Intent doesn’t matter. Legal responsibility doesn’t depend on whether or not you know infringement is wrong. |
G |
Give credit where credit is due. Use hyperlinks and citations to reference the source of your information. |
H |
Helping others to violate copyright doesn’t protect you from legal responsibility. You can’t help or advise someone else to do something you couldn’t do yourself. |
T |
Take the time to blog the right way: |
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S |
See if the material you want to use is protected by copyright. If so, |
A |
Ask the owner for permission to reproduce or post it on your blog. Most websites have e-mail or other contact information—don’t be shy about using it! |
F |
Find another way to use the information. Link to useful or interesting websites, use short quotes from books or printed materials, and be sure to credit your sources. Properly identifying your use of others’ work builds blogging credibility. |
E |
Everyone likes to be recognized. Use others’ work the right way and your blog will grow! |
Copyright 2006. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Fall 2006, page 47.
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