Can I Use This Downloaded Image on My Blog Post?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Mar 1, 2018 in Copyrights
Many people incorrectly assume that they have the right to use any image that they can find on the internet. For example, they may have done a quick Google image search to find a photo to accompany a blog post. However, those images are still covered by copyright. Even though you can easily download them from the internet, you must secure permission to lawfully use them. It is not enough to simply list the source […]
Continue ReadingCan I Copy Just a Little Bit of This Copyright Protected Work?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Feb 1, 2018 in Copyrights
It’s true that courts can dismiss infringement cases where the alleged use is considered de minimis, which means it was so insignificant that the court would not decide on the case. However, don’t let this trick you into believing you can copy a little bit of a copyright protected work and get away with it. There is no magic amount of content or number of words that you can copy lawfully. The use of just […]
Continue ReadingCopyright Tip: I Attributed the Source. Do I Still Need to Obtain Permission?
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 18, 2018 in Copyrights
Many people assume that they are free to use copyright protected materials as long as they provide the proper attribution for the source of the materials. Unfortunately, attribution is not a substitute for securing permission. For business purposes, you must obtain permission from the material’s copyright holders or their agents first before you can lawfully: Reproduce materials Distribute copies of material Prepare derivative materials based upon the work Display or perform the work publicly Otherwise, […]
Continue ReadingWhen Does Joint Authorship Apply to a Copyright
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Jan 11, 2018 in Copyrights
How much do you have to contribute to a creative project to claim joint authorship? Periodically individuals call me and explain that they have been working on a book or a screenplay with a friend, and now they are not getting along due to a dispute over the content of the piece. They want advice on copyright issues and how to resolve the dispute. A great example of a very public dispute involves the authorship […]
Continue ReadingCopyright Tasks to Complete Before Next Year – Part 2
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 21, 2017 in Copyrights
There is no shortage of things to get done before the end of the year, so don’t let your copyright concerns fall by the wayside. In my last post, I shared one important task for companies with DMCA agents to complete before year-end: re-file your registration with the U.S. Copyright Office. There is one more important task to complete if it is relevant to your business. Task 2: Complete a Year-End Review of Your Original […]
Continue ReadingCopyright Tasks to Complete Before Next Year – Part 1
Crystal Broughan, Intellectual Property Attorney Dec 14, 2017 in Copyrights
When preparing to-do lists this holiday season, don’t forget to include protecting your business from infringement liability and securing copyright assets. In particular, there are two tasks you should complete before 2017 ends. Task 1: Re-file Your DMCA Agent Registration Does your company operate a website where third-parties can post their own content, including text, picture, or video? You could be liable for copyright infringement if any content is posted without the copyright owner’s permission. […]
Continue Reading