If you run a website or post to social media sites you are probably breaching copyright laws. And truth is that you don’t even know it. There are few myths about copyright infringement which most of us are unaware of. Here are the top five myths.
Myth 1: Once a work is posted online it loses protection.
You cannot post someone else’s photos, images, songs and video’s without the owner’s permission. The person who created owns these and has a copyright on them.
Myth 2: I can copy a work online provided I give the owner credit or a link back
You cannot use other people work unless they give you permission. Some websites say that you can use any of their works provided you link back to them. But it is better if you can take permission from them before publishing.
Myth 3: If I alter the work or only using a part of it I am not breaching the copy right.
Derivative works are still covered by copyright. The only exception is if you are writing a critique or review referring the work. This is considered fair use.
Myth 4: If there is no copyright symbol that work can be freely used.
It is nothing like the work should be registered or a copyright symbol has to be provided for the work. From the moment it is created by the owner he has sole right on it.
Myth 5: I can use another person’s work if I am not getting any financial profit out of it.
You are breaching copyright whether you are making any money or not. The arguments on you giving owner advertising, does not count.