eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Tell if a File Is Copyrighted

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

Copyright is a legal way to protect creative expression in writing, recording and video. Copying copyrighted works without permission of the copyright owner is copyright infringement, which is illegal and can result in fines. The growth of the Internet has challenged the copyright law. Digital files most affected by copyright tend to be music, video and software. Follow these steps to determine the copyright status of a file.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Look for a copyright notice, which appears as a small "c" with a circle around it and is accompanied by a date. You'll find copyright notices on files copyrighted before March 1, 1989. At that time, the law changed and no longer required notices to identify copyrighted works. With digital files, copyright notices can too easily be deleted.

  2. Step 2

    Use Digital File Check software on your computer. This free program, available at IFPI (see Resources below), can uninstall unwanted peer-to-peer software plus identify possible copyrighted digital files.

  3. Step 3

    Investigate any shared folders on your computer. Any copyrighted material in shared folders is available to others. Move copyrighted material that you legally purchased to another area of your computer.

  4. Step 4

    Understand that websites can be copyrighted as well. You cannot copy something from one website for public use without gaining permission of the copyright owner first. Domain names cannot be copyrighted.

  5. Step 5

    Check backup software in your possession. Software is usually copyrighted. Any backup software should be from an original version that you legally own.

  6. Step 6

    Search copyright records at the federal government copyright website or one of the many copyright licensing organizations like the Alliance of Artists and Recording Companies (AARC) or the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC).

  7. Step 7

    Assume that music, films and software is copyrighted material unless you have evidence to the contrary. Even if you didn't know, you can be prosecuted for copyright infringement.

Comments  

Flag This Comment

on 8/18/2009 I just read this article above regarding "How to Tell if a File Is Copyrighted", and have found it extremely useful, invaluable and a "Must Read" for all Bloggers, and video makers.Many times it is small things that we miss out, unintentionally, or unknowingly that can cause a lot of embarrassment, and unwanted trouble. "Half-Knowledge is extremely Dangerous" and a little bit of trouble taken to read and imbibe good ethics, and habits in the first place, can go a long way.This article will help a lot of people improve their work in all respects. Thanks to the writer and publishers for publishing such a fantastic article.

For benefit of all who will share this comment read it at http://www.ehow.com/how_2094024_tell-file-copyrighted.html

Regards.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Internet
Virginia DeBolt,

Meet Virginia DeBolt eHow's Internet Expert.

Get Free Internet Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.

Demand Media
eHow_eHow Technology and Electronics