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You Are Here: Home - Newsletters - "Organized For A Living" - Article
One of the questions often asked from a new poet, writer, or artist is ''Do I need to copyright my work?'' Although the Copyright Act of 1976 states your work is copyrighted upon creation, REGISTERING your work could be an important step in proving the work is yours and when it was created. Taking this step to register your work may be crucial in gaining increased damages for INFRINGEMENT in the event of a lawsuit.
DIGGING DEEPER
That's the simple answer. There is still some debate on whether the copyright laws apply to the INTERNET. There are many who want the Internet to remain free of any restrictions. Still others who want to protect the work they have created and want to be compensated for any infringement. According to Robert S. Weiner, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at the Copyright Clearance Center states, ''As of today, there is no single solution to the copyright problems created by an increasingly sophisticated and technologically advanced electronic environment. Meanwhile, everyone -- from the casual surfer, to researchers and business people, to information professionals -- faces the problem of how to legally EXPLOIT the vast potential of the Internet.''
THE COPYRIGHT CLEARANCE CENTER
The Copyright Clearance Center is a non-profit organization, enacted by Congress to help facilitate COMPLIANCE with copyright law. They have put together some practical steps to maximize the value of your information and minimize the risk to your business. You'll find these steps apply to on-line and off-line businesses.
PUT IT IN WRITING
Develop a corporate copyright policy. Establish PARAMETERS for your company early. You can modify them later as clarity is brought to the many issues surrounding copyright.
GET EVERYONE ON BOARD
Involve everyone who has an interest in using copyrighted information. Convene all potential USERS -- marketing, sales, research and development, legal, human resources, and information systems -- and gain their buy-in to the copyright policy.
LET PEOPLE KNOW
Publish your copyright policy and keep your constituency well INFORMED. Circulate the policy electronically and post it near photocopiers and scanners.
MAKE IT CLEAR
Ensure protection of information created within your company. Post a copyright NOTICE on your web site and on all original works created inside your company.
EDUCATE PEOPLE
Remind users that not all information on the web is free. Help your constituency UNDERSTAND what is and what is not theirs to use legally.
THINK ABOUT IT
Encourage your constituency to use good common sense. If you can't do it legally OFFLINE, you can't do it legally online either.
STAND UP FOR YOURSELF
Do not hesitate to act. If you or anyone in your company learns of an infringement, avoid legal hassles by INVESTIGATING the allegations immediately.
COMBATTING A VAGUE LAW
Even though there are no specific laws for the Internet, you can set your own guidelines when it comes to your work. Take an ACTIVE role in making sure your work is protected and make a decision to respect others rights too. The Internet is basically a huge information center. Anyone who is operating a business on-line is affected by any copyright infringement. It is important to take steps now in order to minimize any risks to your business. Some believe the Copyright Act of 1976 applies to any electronic transmission of materials, but others look to establish new copyright laws SPECIFICALLY for the Internet to ensure they are keeping up with this fast growing medium. The answers to determine where rights exist and how they apply to your on-line business may not be answered with new laws in place in the future. The bottom line--its up to you to ensure your work is ultimately protected.
LaDonna Vick is the founder of TiaZar Publishing an independent publishing company named after her daughters Tiana and Zaria. Her main goal in establishing TiaZar Publishing in 1999 was to publish her own work. -- but now offers information on all topics concerning self-publishing. Visit her website at www.tiazar.com. Want to receive these kind of articles via e-mail each month? Sign up for a free subscription. Click here to return to "Organized For A Living" -- September 2004... Add this page to your Bookmarks!
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