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Understanding Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights

Copyright serves as a legal framework that grants creators of original works exclusive rights to control and distribute their creations. It ensures that creators receive recognition and compensation for their intellectual endeavors, fostering creativity and innovation in various fields.

Copyright laws protect a wide range of creative works, including literary, artistic, musical, and dramatic works, as well as software, databases, and other intellectual creations. These laws establish the following key principles:

  1. Exclusive Rights: Copyright holders possess exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their works, as well as create derivative works based on them.

  2. Duration: Copyright protection extends for a specified duration, typically lasting for the author's lifetime plus a designated period after their death. After this period, works enter the public domain and become freely available for public use.

  3. Fair Use: Fair use provisions allow limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. However, the extent of fair use is subject to interpretation and may vary depending on factors such as the purpose and nature of the use, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the potential impact on the market for the original work.

In today's digital landscape, the ease of accessing and sharing online content poses challenges to copyright enforcement and protection. Individuals must navigate copyright considerations responsibly to avoid infringement and respect the rights of creators.

Sharing Copyrighted Works Online​

When sharing copyrighted content on social media or other online platforms, individuals must adhere to copyright laws and obtain proper authorization from the copyright holder. This includes obtaining licenses or permissions for reproduction, distribution, and public display of the work.

Best Practices for Sharing Copyrighted Works:​

1. Suppose you found online a video or the soundtrack of a song you like and you want to share this on social media.

How do you do this?

Choose one of the following actions:

  • Share a link of the video or an embedded version
  • Download the video and then upload it on social media

Sharing another person's copyrighted work on social media sites infringes several of these exclusive rights unless a license or permission is obtained from the copyright holder or the use falls within the realm of "fair dealing"

2. You found an image online which has no mention of being copyrighted. Is there anything you need to do before posting an image you found online?

  • Linking vs. Reproducing: Instead of downloading and re-uploading copyrighted material, opt for sharing links or embedding content from authorized sources to avoid copyright infringement.

  • Seek Permission: When in doubt about the legality of sharing specific content, seek permission from the copyright holder or use content licensed under Creative Commons or other open licensing frameworks.

Respecting Creative Works​

In addition to understanding copyright laws, individuals should cultivate a culture of respect for creative works and intellectual property rights. This involves acknowledging and crediting creators for their contributions, fostering ethical practices in content sharing, and promoting a fair and equitable digital ecosystem.

Ethical Guidelines for Posting Online:​

  • Attribution: Always give credit to the original creators when sharing their work, whether it's an image, video, music, or written content.

  • Permission: Obtain explicit permission from copyright holders before using or repurposing their content for your own purposes, especially in commercial contexts.

By adhering to copyright laws, respecting intellectual property rights, and practicing ethical conduct in digital content sharing, individuals contribute to the preservation of creativity, innovation, and cultural diversity in the digital age.