How to Protect Your Work From Internet Copyright Violation

The openness of Internet technology often leads to a relaxed adherence to copyright laws. Remember that you own everything you create, regardless of whether you've filed it with the U.S. Copyright Office. To protect your material from unlawful distribution, make others aware of the terms of use of your intellectual property.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Disks
• Internet Access
• E-mail Accounts
• Computers
• Art And Graphics Software

1. Include a prominently displayed statement of ownership with any images or documents you have posted on your Web site or that you post to newsgroups or discussion boards (for example, "This image is property of John Smith and may not be used or reproduced without permission from the owner").

2. Include your e-mail address with the statement so that people can contact you for permission to use your material.

3. Add a "Terms and Conditions of Use" or "Legal Information" section on your Web page explaining your policy on the use of your material. For example, you may wish to allow reproduction for any personal use as long as the material remains unaltered.

4. Consider registering with the U.S. Copyright Office to explicitly protect certain materials. Include prominently displayed copyright notices with any copyrighted material.

Tips & Warnings

• Place copyright notices and statements of ownership in places where they will be difficult to remove, such as after the title and byline in text documents. Use a graphics-editing program to place the notice directly onto an image.

[1webmind]

on 10/31/2009 In concept, whole or in any part? You're telling me you are writing articles that are in no way a part of a concept in whole or any part of another article already written on the internet, it cannot be found in the public domain,and when it is, you are giving proper credit?

BS. You don't know what you are talking about when it comes to intellectual copyright, so maybe you should before you start trying to sound like an expert.

Most information is derivative of other information on the internet, including yours, and that is ok as long as the information is not genuinely unique and has been substantially altered and restated.

Bottom line is everyone steals, and that's the way it's going to be, like it or not, from now on. That is why all but the most creative information is becoming an almost worthless commodity. "Steal your way to success" is the new ethos of the information age,...

[joynoellee]

on 10/31/2009 Thanks for the information. It's a very relevant subject in e-world.

[jerryb1]

on 10/31/2009 I would like to suggest including the phrase, "in concept, whole or in any part" within your stated claim. There is far too much 'borrowing' occurring right here on eHow to ignore this subject. Take care with what you have created and protect it as best you can.

[Summersile]

on 10/31/2009 Good points, I think too many people are unaware of the concept of intellectual property. Thanks!

[Divaliscious]

on 10/31/2009 good quick points you got here - thanks for sharing