1. By: Jenifer Jack

2. In today’s world, practically everything is copyrighted. Even if there is not a copyright notice, the work could still be copyrighted. It is not mandatory that copyrights have a notice, but it will help to ensure more safety of the work. It is still a violation, even if you were to charge for it. Usenet does not guarantee that a work is in the public domain. It has to specifically say that it is in the public domain. Different businesses share ownership of the same word, because they are using it in different ways. (ex. The word Delta is owned by the air travel company for that specific reason and Delta Hotels takes ownership when speaking of hotels)

3. If you base a story off of another work, the original owner of the work owns yours as well. In other words, you do not get the copyright of a work if you use another person’s ideas in your work. Always be aware, and always ask permission. Copyright violation can be a crime. The owner must give permission for you to use it as “free advertisement”.

4. Fair Use: This means that someone can use a copyrighted work without getting permission. Many want to claim that they are simply using “fair use” when it comes to copyrights. BE CAREFUL! Make sure it falls under the Fair Use categories!

5. Evaluate the Purpose and the Character of the Use! If you have something that could truly enhance the original work, it is going to more likely be considered as fair use. If the work is being used for educational purposes not looking for a profit, it is also more likely to be considered as fair use.

6. The Nature of the Copyrighted Work It is more likely to be considered fair use if: If the work is published It is a out of print work It is a factual work

7. The Amount Counts! It is better if you are wanting to use a smaller amount from a work. It is also more likely to be considered fair use if the section wanting to be used is a less significant part of the work.

8. The New Effect If you create a new work from an original and it has the potential to bring in a new market, it is more likely to be considered fair use.

9. Because there are so many rules to copyrighting and fair use, it can be easy to violate one. It is important to educate yourself on some important rules to stay in the clear of trouble! For example, here are some tips to getting permission: Allow plenty of time to get permission before you are wanting to use it. If you do not get a response or permission, have a back-up plan! Document any forms stating permission. Identify, locate, and confirm the copyright holder(s).

10. Templeton, Brad. (1994). 10 Big Myths About Copyrighting Explained. Retrieved from: http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html Starr, Linda. (last updated 2010). Is Fair Use a License to Steal? Retrived from: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr280b.shtml http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr280b.shtml Hoon R., Robert. Copyright Essentials for Educators. Retrieved from: http://www.uncw.edu/generalcounsel/documents/essentials_she et.pdf