Where Is The Border Between Free Information and Copyright?

Just a few years ago, the line between free information and copyrighted information became blurry in the minds of many internet users. Computers were sold with media copying devices included on the machines; this led many computer users to assume that all information on the internet was free to copy if their machine was set up to do so.

Having the ability to copy/paste information or pictures and performing the actual act of copy/pasting information or pictures from the internet are two different things. Every user also has the ability to point a gun at a store clerk, but there are some acts that people must not do to stay within the laws that govern their countries.

Copyrighted information is any original writing, picture, music, or programming script that can be found on the internet. If somebody other than the user created the item seen on the screen or heard through the speakers, this item is not yours to copy until the owner has given you specific permission to do so.

Original material online is copyrighted upon publication; when it is posted, this is its copyright date. Copyright durations vary by country, but most copyrights last for a period of 70-years. After the period of 70-years is over, unless the copyright is renewed, the original information passes into the public’s hands to do what they would like to do with the material.

The material created by an individual is theirs to direct what happens with it and who may use it in the exact form in which they created it. Ideas are not copyrighted, nor is information about various subjects such as seen in this article. If a user sees a picture of a red candle that they like, it is fine to use a camera to make a picture of a new red candle.

While it would be wrong to copy/paste this article as a users work, it is not wrong to rewrite over 75% of this article into words that this author did not use. The copyright information is in public domain because these are laws that we must know, understand and use every day.

For those thinking about copy/pasting online material that they do not have permission to use, be aware that there are internet sites online today devoted to telling users who is copying their work and where that work is being used. Google offers a free service, as do others, that can tell copyrighted property owners where to go to get their property back. One site would be copyscape.com where you can see how much of one article resembles another article.

Before taking anything from the internet to make yours these days, look for a written permission that grants the right to do so.

Interesting links:
http://www.legalmicroblog.com
http://www.corporatemicroblogs.com
http://www.businessmicroblog.com

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