Read
this definition of Copyright, which includes additonal information and/or
weblinks of interest
Copyright
From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright
If
you buy graphics online or find included in purchased software, you should
be reading the information enclosed or provided which usually includes
what constitutes legal usage and or licensing of the material.
Read the fine PRINT!!
Also
read each Artists or publisher links
to
copyright & usage information, for any/all items, material or graphics,
website graphics, etc. you may obtain for FREE or Pay For.
Read
this article below, *talks to scrapbooker's but applies to anyone
who "copies" material/graphics or software, and then shares with others
or makes gifts and or sells items with copyrighted or trademarked
graphics without the explicit permission of copyright owners.
FAQ
of Copyright
http://www.copyright.com/ccc/do/viewPage?pageCode=cr11-n
Articles:
To
Copy Or Not To Copy
Copyright
Information Every Scrapbooker Should Know
http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa032701a.htm
Why
Steal? by Linda Cole
http://www.wdvl.com/Graphics/Theft/whysteal.html
and
see also: Copyright on the Web *page has links to more resources regarding
copyright*
Part
1: Being on the Web Doesn't Make it Public Domain - Protect Your Rights
http://webdesign.about.com/library/weekly/aa081700a.htm
Copyright
on the Web Part 2: Obtaining Permission
http://webdesign.about.com/library/weekly/aa081700b.htm
Links
of interest
Copyright
info for crafters / clipart users, etc.
(United
Kingdom site)
http://dobersplace.purpleraindesigns.co.uk/DMATCOPYRIGHTS.html
Information of interest
:
From the US
Copyright office
Copyright
Registration for Works of the Visual Arts
Excerpt
quoted from website:
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Copyright
is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to the
authors of “original works of authorship,” including “pictorial, graphic,
and sculptural works.” The owner of copyright in a work has the exclusive
right to make copies, to prepare derivative works, to sell or distribute
copies, and to display the work publicly. Anyone
else wishing to use the work in these ways must have the permission of
the author or someone who has derived rights through the author.
Copyright
Protection Is Automatic
Under
the present copyright law, which became effective Jan. 1, 1978, a work
is automatically protected by copyright when it is created. A work is created
when it is “fixed” in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. Neither
registration in the Copyright Office nor publication is required for copyright
protection under the present law.
Read
entire page for further information
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ40.html
See
also:
Copyright
Registration of Visual Arts
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl115.html
Cartoons
and Comic Strips
excerpt
quoted from website
IN
GENERAL
The
copyright law of the United States (title 17 of the United States Code)
provides for copyright protection of literary and artistic works. Copyright
protection begins automatically when a work is first created in a fixed
form. Cartoons and comic strips are among the types of works of authorship
protected by copyright. This protection extends to any copyrightable pictorial
or written expression contained in the work. This protection does not extend
to the title or general theme for a cartoon or comic strip or to the general
idea or name for the characters depicted. Intangible attributes of characters
are not copyrightable, but a drawing, picture, or depiction or a written
description of a character may be registered for copyright. However, copyright
does not extend to the idea for the character itself. A character may be
protected under aspects of state, common, or trademark laws.
Read
entire document for further information
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ44.html
Copyright
Registration for Online Works
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ66.html
Blank
Forms and Other Works NOT Protected by Copyright
Excerpt
quoted from website
Blank
forms and similar works designed to record rather than to convey information
cannot be protected by copyright.
In
order to be protected by copyright, a work must contain at least a certain
minimum amount of original literary, pictorial, or musical expression.
Copyright does not extend to names, titles, and short phrases or clauses
such as column headings or simple checklists. The format, arrangement,
or typography of a work is not protected. Furthermore, copyright protection
does not extend to works consisting entirely of information that is common
property containing no original authorship, for example: standard calendars,
height and weight charts, tape measures and rulers, schedules of sporting
events, and lists or tables taken from public documents or other common
sources.
Read
entire page with further information:
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ32.html
Copyright
Protection Not Available for Names, Titles,
or Short Phrases
Excerpt
quoted from website
Names,
titles, and short phrases or expressions are not subject to copyright protection.
Even if a name, title, or short phrase is novel or distinctive or if it
lends itself to a play on words, it cannot be protected by copyright.
Read
entire page with further information
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ34.html
More
from the US Copyright office:
Information
Circulars and Factsheets
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/
What
is Copyright
http://www.whatiscopyright.org/
R.I.G.H.T.S.
R.I.G.H.T.S.
was created solely to provide the internet user with the tools for understanding
online copyright based on specific legal definitions, the laws and principles.
http://www.rightsforartists.com/
Give
Credit Where Credit is Due
http://www.give-credit.com/
http://give-credit.com/
Artists
Copyright Corner
http://groups.msn.com/CopyrightCorner/
Artist
permission information
No/No
artists These artists Do NOT grant permission to use their graphics
with out authorization
http://groups.msn.com/CopyrightCorner/nonopage1.msnw
Yes/Yes
artists - visit individual artist websites for further information about
usage of their graphics
http://groups.msn.com/CopyrightCorner/yesyesartists.msnw
Artist
galleries
http://groups.msn.com/CopyrightCorner/artistgalleries.msnw
Original
Artists Unite ...to Protect our Copyright
http://www.billybear4kids.com/clipart/original/original.htm
Do
you have signature images or other pictures you want online to link to:
Go to http://photobucket.com/
and sign up for free storage space to save your pictures.
You
can also link copy and paste your picture to msn groups.
http://groups.msn.com/CopyrightCorner/yourwebpage1.msnw
Intellectual
Property (Copyright/Trademark) Guidelines
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/help/law.aspx
[for
Library type folks I also have links to general copyright info on my LibrarySupportStaff
dot com site]
Other online sites
to visit:
Fair
Use Copyright Laws
http://fairuse.stanford.edu/
US
Copyright Office - Copyright Basics
http://www.copyright.gov/
10
Big Myths about copyright explained
http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html
Copyright
and Fair Use in the Classroom, on the Internet, and the World Wide Web
http://www.umuc.edu/library/copy.html
Some
graphics that artists create or companies sell, and/or other items downloaded
or that you have purchased have "Angel" policies with regards to usage
of those items on items you intend to sell.
Be sure to read
all policies and understand them!
from the individual
companies/websites that
you obtain material/graphics
from.
If
you don't agree with certain policies, or
don't
understand them, write to the company or
artist,
BEFORE
using and/or purchasing or downloading.
Some useful links
re: Angel policies
What
is an Angel Company
http://www.littlebit.com/angelList/whatisangelcompany.htm
Rubberstamp
Angel List - Names and Contact Info
http://www.littlebit.com/angelList/angellistcontactpolicy.htm
Scrapbook
Angel List
http://www.littlebit.com/angelList/scrapangellist.htm
Rubberstamp
Store.com
copyright
info for various rubberstamp companies
http://rubberstampstore.com/faq/1.0.9.html
Examples
of some policies written for Graphics useage
posted
by individual companies or artists:
Graphic
Garden
http://www.graphicgarden.com/files9/eng/rules/crafts1.php
PCCrafter.com
Copyright
and Licensing Agreement
http://www.pccrafter.com/service/policy_licenseagreement.aspx
HugWare
Graphics policy
http://www.pccrafter.com/service/letter_hugwareuse.aspx
My
own comments:
Regarding
sigtags and/or other graphics (tubes, etc) found online and offered for
FREE
Do
NOT snag or create signature tags or graphics that have graphics that are
copyrighted by the original artists or licensee's of the artwork - unless
you have written permission or the copyright is noted on the graphic of
the original artwork or graphics artist.
Example:
when you see a Disney, Warner Brothers, Cherished Teddy, Mary Englebreit,
Sue Dreamer, pcCrafter.com , etc. character or graphic as part of a sigtag
offered in an online group, and it has a copyright or watermark of the
"artist" who designed and used such a graphic
in the tag - more than likely the designer
does NOT have rights to those graphics. It costs money to license graphics
and it is unlikely that those who pay it ,would offer designs online for
FREE!
There
are exceptions,
Example:
for
those who post messages using the pcCrafter.com
forums, and that design sigtags with graphics they purchased from pcCrafter,
they are allowed to do so, as long as the ©pcCrafter.com and
or the artist information is located on the signature tag.
See:
http://www.pccrafter.com/service/letter_hugwareuse.aspx
See
too the sites listed in this online webring:
Copyrighted
by Me
Excerpt
quoted from website:
A
ring to connect those sites that offer linkware, purchaseware or shareware
graphics. However, these graphics must be only copyrighted by the site
offering them. No unauthorized use of others graphics, no disclaimer text,
no exceptions!
http://www.ringsurf.com/netring?ring=cbme;action=list
Web
Guard Webring
http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/wbg1/web_guard.htm
Excerpt
quoted from website
Web
Guard is one of the oldest webrings supporting awareness regarding bandwidth
theft and copyrights.
If
you are concerned with copyright of your creations or the problems of bandwidth
theft, you belong in this webring.
See
too:
http://stopthief.org/
ARTISTS'
COALITION AGAINST PIRACY
http://www.theacap.com/
APIC
(Association for the Protection of Internet Copyright)
Excerpt
quoted from website
APIC
WORLDWIDE is dedicated to the continued education of Internet copyright
law and enforcement of such law through the co-operation of international,
domestic, federal, state, and local statutes, laws, and ordinances.
Membership
is open to all who are concerned about copyright protection, including
photographers, distributors of images, video, film, literature and other
intellectual property, movie producers, musicians, record producers and
publishers, as well as websites concerned about copyright infringement.
http://www.a-w.org/
PACA
-
Excerpt
quoted from website
PACA
is the trade organization in North America that represents the vital interests
of stock agencies and others who license images for commercial reproduction.
To
foster and protect the interests of the picture archive community through
advocacy, education and communication.
Copyright
Commandments
http://www.pacaoffice.org/resources/commandments.html
Patent
and Trademark Office
an
Agency of the United States Department of Commerce
http://www.uspto.gov/
Patent
Cafe
http://www.patentcafe.com/
Web
helper.net
Copyright
Information
This
is not meant to be legal advice or a complete writing on the topic of copyright.
This is only a general guide.
http://www.web-helper.net/Copyright/default.asp
Web
Site Legal Issues
http://www.bitlaw.com/internet/webpage.html
Yahoo
Directory Copyright links
http://dir.yahoo.com/Government/law/intellectual_property/copyrights
http://tequilacountryhome.8m.com/ctg11.html
Remember
no matter how cute the design, how wonderful the graphic for your desired
purposes are - DO NOT STEAL graphics from online, that you do NOT HAVE
PERMISSION to do so, or have followed all of the artists requirements for
usage and/or paid for, registered, asked about permissions of usage etc.
When
it DOUBT - DO WITHOUT!!
Legal
and Business Books, Forms and Software
http://www.nolo.com/
