Copyright Issues and Standards on the Web

This is all about the little "c" in a circle you see on certain words (©). A copyright is protection provided by the laws of the United States. It legally protects any original expression you create that is fixed in a tangible form, such as on a floppy disk or a hard drive. For example, a presentation created in PowerPoint is protected as soon as the file is saved to your hard drive. Anything you design and fix in a tangible form cannot be tampered with, altered, abused, or in any way modified without your consent. However, not every type of expression is eligible for copyright protection.

Protected Copyright

Works or expressions that are protected by copyright	1. original text, 2. graphics, 3. audio-visual elements
Types of items that are not protected by copyright	1. ideas, 2. facts, 3. titles, 4. names, 5. short phrases, 6. blank forms

A copyright gives you as an author or artist the legal right to exclude others from using your works. However, a copyright does not give an author or artist the right to sell or distribute obscene works, or works that invade otherr's privacy rights (for example, defamatory email).
ecommerce transactions create unique copyright issues as digital content is transmitted over the Internet. Digital content may take the form of words, videos, music, and terms of use and privacy policies that are commonly found on Web sites. Provided this digital content is an "original work",it is the appropriate subject matter of copyright protection and federal registration in the United States Copyright Office.

When publishing content on the web, understanding copyright law is crucial to avoid legal issues. Here are the key points you must grasp:

1. Everything you create is automatically copyrighted: This includes text, images, videos, music, and any other original work you create. Copyright protects your work from being copied, distributed, or used without your permission.
2. You don't need to register your copyright: Copyright protection arises automatically upon creation. However, registering your copyright strengthens your legal position in case of infringement.
3. Fair use allows limited use without permission: Fair use is a legal doctrine allowing copyrighted material to be used for purposes like criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, and research. However, it's a complex concept with unclear boundaries, so exercise caution and consult legal advice if unsure.
4. Be careful with third-party content: Using someone else's copyrighted content without permission is infringement. This includes text, images, music, and even code. Always obtain permission before using any material that isn't yours.
5. Public domain content is freely usable: Works in the public domain have no copyright restrictions and can be freely used. However, verify the public domain status before relying on it.
6. Creative Commons licenses offer alternative permissions: Many creators use Creative Commons licenses to grant specific rights to use their work, like attribution or non-commercial use. Always understand the terms of any license before using licensed material.
7. Be aware of platform terms of service: Platforms like YouTube or Facebook may have specific terms regarding copyright infringement. Violating these terms could result in account suspension or removal of your content.
8. Copyright infringement consequences can be severe: Penalties for infringement can include financial damages, legal fees, and even criminal charges in some cases.
9. Seek legal advice when unsure: If you have complex copyright questions or are unsure about the legality of using specific content, consult with an intellectual property lawyer.

Additional tips:

• Use a copyright notice on your website to inform others of your copyright claims.
• Use watermarks or other measures to protect your original images and videos.
• Give credit to the original creator when using third-party content, even if it's allowed.
• Stay updated on copyright law changes, as it can evolve over time.

By understanding these key points, you can navigate the complexities of copyright law when publishing content online and protect yourself from legal trouble.

Because federal copyright law provides the owner with exclusive rights, primarily to reproduce the original work, copyright ownership incurs a special significance on the Internet where Web site design and development are costly ventures and valuable assets to the e-business. Because online content is digitized, the user has the ability to reproduce and send it immediately to countless others in violation of the copyright owner's exclusive right to reproduce the work. Software programs allow a user to send e-mail with attached copyrighted documents that are reproduced in perfect form and may be sent on innumerable occasions to a vast global audience. This poses special and unique problems for copyright protection on the Internet.

Copyrighted material, such as a Web page, is typically branded with a standard copyright notice. This commonly known string of elements alerts readers to a protected work. You are no longer required to attach such a notice to your work, but it is wise to do so. Copyrighting the material on your site can help prove your ownership if you find your content is being used on someone else's Web site, and helps discourage infringement of your material. If you would like to protect your email communication, a copyright notice on your email messages can be useful. For example, "Please do not forward this message without permission" should be legally adequate and will be honored by most recipients.
In the next lesson, how to determine if using someone else's work is permitted will be discussed.