Stop! Before you pick up that important document and copy a page out of it, or burn the newest album on the market -- isn't it important to know the legal rules of copyrighting? Although you use your copy machine every day for almost everything, there are some little known facts you should be aware of in order to prevent you or your business from creating legal havoc.

Top Five Things to Post Above the Office Copy Machine

1. What does a copyright protect?
You may be asking yourself how you can distinguish between what is or isn't an “original work of the artist.” This phrase means anything that is a concrete form of expression and has been either put on paper or expressed with another communication device cannot be replicated without permission.

2. How will I know if something is copyrighted?
Being careful and conscious can help alert you of material that is copyrighted, but it is also helpful to pay close attention to all areas of the material. Somewhere on the material (usually at the bottom) there should be a date of the copyright that looks something like this: © Copyright 2012.

3. How long does a copyright last?
A copyright lasts for a surprising length of time -- which is the author's lifetime plus an additional 50 years. Be sure to double check anything you wish to duplicate and don't be fooled by a copyright date at the bottom of any page or picture.  That date at the bottom is the date the material was copyrighted, not the expiration date of the copyright itself.

4. What about those graphics and slogans that are slightly changed? Is that legal?
Have you seen commercials with a graphic or motto that is almost the same as another? Well, as long as something isn't a direct duplicate of something else, it can be used. So if you find a material that is perfect for you and what you are looking for, changing it slightly is perfectly legal and acceptable. However that does NOT mean that someone else is not using that slogan already. If you want to be sure check with an attorney and the US Government Copyright Office. You can do some of the investigation yourself online.

5. How can you be sure you're not in violation of a copyright?
Are you wondering what a copyright entails? To know the exact terms of a copyright you would have to contact the copyright's owner and find out their specific policy regulations. To avoid a lawsuit, it is always best to check with the author before using their material.


U.S. Government Copyright Office - http://www.copyright.gov