For decades, the copyright process in California and around the nation was pretty straightforward. Art such as films, plays and books would all be easily inserted into this copyright sector. However, the introduction of the internet has made things a little complicated in terms of what actually falls under copyright laws. For example, if a company blog uses the image of a well-known cartoon character within its content, they may be accidentally infringing on someone’s copyright property. To avoid legal repercussions, it’s important to have a background on copyright laws.
What exactly is copyright?
Copyright was created to protect intellectual property from being used or claimed by another person or business. It should be noted that not all content can be copyrighted. A few examples of works that cannot be copyrighted are short slogans, personal names and titles. Digital content that falls under copyright law includes blogs, social media posts and apps.
Protecting your online content
The very best way to minimize the risk of people stealing your content is to avoid posting it on social media. This is because when you sign up for a personal/business account, you’re also agreeing to the terms of the social media platform. This can lead to your content being stolen under these terms. If you must post content for your business online, then adding a copyright statement to the description or the photo itself may minimize the risk of having someone “unknowingly” using it. In the event that someone does use your content without permission, you may file a DMCA takedown notice. This informs the ISP (web host) and removes the content from the website.
Protecting your content from the platforms themselves
Although sites such as Facebook and Instagram don’t void your copyright rights, they do not protect you from infringement. Therefore, it is important to go over social media platform contracts before you begin to post your content.
Although copyright laws are pretty straightforward, the age of the internet has also made them a little shaky. If you believe that your intellectual content has been used without your permission, consider seeking an attorney’s services.