There are a lot of interesting things on the internet and sometimes we wonder whether we can use these articles, images and videos on our own sites, personal or professional. The lines can be very blurry when it comes to website copyright laws and the following can provide a little more clarity into the subject:
Website Copyright Laws Explained
Everyone who deals with content creation, reuse and distribution should brush up on intellectual property rights and its difference with patents. All original creations automatically get copyright from the time they are created. No official application is required to guarantee that right under law, unlike the case with patents. The details can get complicated and are definitely beyond the scope of this article.
Just because there is no official paper declaring a piece of work as having copyright, that does not mean anyone can copy it with reckless abandon.
Even if people have posted their content in publicly accessible sites to share with others, the work remains their own and any attempts at reproduction should have their express consent. The gist of the copyright law is that no one can reuse content unless authorization from the creator has been obtained. Some think that proper attribution is enough but this is not true in all cases. The lack of permission still invites a host of lawsuits, more so for highly popular content that is instrumental in increasing the number of page views and similar commercial endeavors.
License to Copy Sites
There are certainly a lot of people who find it flattering and even useful for others to copy and re-purpose their works. It is for these authors that some websites have been developed. People can go to some websites to search for articles, images and videos that content creators have made publicly reproducible. However, those who plan to use these must read the license carefully and honor its limits.
There are numerous websites which provide various works for members who pay a certain fee or for authors who want their work to be copied. These are some popular sites that would fit under this category:: Creative Commons, GettyImages, Corbis, iStock Photo, Copyright and iCopyright.
When In Doubt
Always err on the safe side of the law. Pause to acquire the creator’s consent before proceeding, especially if the online content got attention for its commercial value. After all, it is only basic courtesy and should rightly be observed. It also protects the commercial project by ensuring that legal requirements have been complied with to the letter. All authors are unique in their views about content reuse and will set their limits accordingly. And remember: It is best to ask their input on the matter so that their wishes are respected!