Copyright and How it Fits Within Our Lives on the Internet

I'd like to get a few things clear from the beginning in this article. In no way am I pointing the finger of blame nor am I saying I have all the answers. I do not but I have watched before me for some time now, copyright issues come to the forefront and have for the most part kept my peace as to the issue both here and on other sites as well. My silence has not been because I do not care, rather it is the opposite, I do care but copyright is one of those issues that changes so often and though I have to have a working knowledge of the subject as an educator, it is still an ever changing situation in our world and one of which I am not an authority though I try as I might to stay on top of the newest information about the subject.

I have commented quite a bit on copyright both online and in private discussions but the crux of most of my conversations has been simply this. Copyright is a subject of which most have heard of but few know all the intricacies of, me included. That is a simple statement but one we need to recognize none the less.

According to Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_violation

"Copyright infringement (or copyright violation) is the unauthorized use of material which is covered by copyright law, in a manner that violates one of the original copyright owner' sexclusive rights, such as the right to reproduce or perform the copyrighted work, or to make derivative works that build upon it. The slang term bootleg (derived from the use of the shank of a boot for the purposes of smuggling) is often used to describe illicitly copied material."

Please note, the above quote is by no means is the only definition on copyright violation and for those wanting to learn more, I suggest visiting the link above and beginning your learning journey from there

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Now, regarding the copyright situation found on most blogging communities and all the articles and confusion lately I say this. I have found copyright is a sticky situation all over the internet and one site is no different than another. It has always been tough to meet copyright rules but as the internet grows larger and the membership within online communities grows with it, copyright becomes more of an issue to deal with.

In one way, it is hard not to be angry when a cute picture or funny joke is published that you "found" or was sent to you...and many times it's perfectly acceptable to publish that...but other times, it is not. Like many, I've tried to get my mind around the complexity of copyright. And some time ago I came to the realization after speaking with a person who had had some of her work "borrowed" that it is more than mere "ownership" of an article, image or piece of work. The friend I speak of was hurt beyond belief that her hard work was being used by someone else and without credit given to her. That instance alone made it clear like no other that we are not just "using" articles and images, but we are taking from them the due respect the original owners have over these articles and images.

Articles that are acceptable are a wide and varied group and I have found that if in doubt as to whether an article or image can be used; it is always in one's best interests to check the copyright on that article/image or ask permission of the author/illustrator to post the article. I realize that this is not always possible and in fact many of the jokes, articles and images have been posted after receiving them via email. Many members, myself included, enjoyed these postings in the beginning of our time on the early internet, not knowing much about copyright but as it has become an increasingly serious subject across the internet, it is more important than ever to meet the guidelines for copyright.

Now, I don't profess to be an authority on copyright or even up to date on all the dos and don'ts regarding copyright. But I can tell you as an author, educator and artist that I would feel horrible if someone took my work and passed it off as my own. Not angry, though that might filter in later on, but hurt that someone didn't have enough appreciation and compassion for my work to give me due credit for my work.

So I simply ask this of those who post on the internet. If you have question about the copyright of an article or image, take that extra moment to see if you can locate the individual responsible for the article or comment. If you can, please give credit where credit is due and if you quote from a source do the same.

And more importantly than that. If you happen to be asked by a website or the original individual whose works you are using, to remove the said item. Please do just that. A request is not a finger pointing of guilt, an attempt to embarrass you nor is it a comment on your worth as a person. Rather it may simply intent to follow copyright in the correct manner with no malice or hard feelings attached.

Thank you for listening to this "teacher rant" as my students fondly call it. Copyright is a subject of which I work daily to know what is acceptable and what is not in terms of copyright. I appreciate all the care I have witnessed lately in copyright rules being met and I know gather does too. Should you have any questions regarding copyright, please ask using the "contact" or "terms of service" buttons at the bottom of any page of virtually any internet community. I'm sure there are individuals who would be more than happy to answer any and all of your questions regarding this subject.