Copyright, attribution, what it is and why should I care?
Img Credit https://pixabay.com/en/email-keyboard-computer-copyright-826333/
I am an author, editor, photographer, publisher, and public speaker. I have put hours into my work and generate new work several times a day. I have been invited to speak on the topics of role-play games, small business, copyright, self-publishing, and interpersonal communication at venues that include many colleges and San Diego Comic-Con International.
My friends are members of various industries such as bloggers, musicians, digital-artists, programmers, fabricators, sculptors, and actors. They too put hours of time and effort into their work.
We make our living at these professions! Some of us do not go to a "job" and get a paycheck, creating content is our job.
Img Credit http://www.clandarksail.com/promo-images/
As my friend Eben Brooks (http://www.ebenbrooks.com) has said "It's okay to PLAY pirate, but not to BE a pirate."
Piracy is the act of copying the work of someone else, with or without attribution, and using it without their permission. This means, even if you say where it's from, if you don't have permission to use it then you STOLE it.
Why does that matter?
Well, as I said above, I get PAID for my work. That payment feeds me and my kids, puts a roof over our heads and pays the bills. If you're getting paid for my work, I'm not getting paid for it.
Don't you want the "free" advertising?
I love free advertising! Stealing my content is not free advertising, even if you put my name on it. The reason it isn't free advertising is that it costs me the revenue you're making from the 10 seconds it took you to highlight and copy-paste my work. If someone can get my content from you, why should they bother trying to find me? What if your reputation somehow damages mine by association?
If you want to advertise me for free, please do! Do it by dropping my name and links to my content everywhere! Do it by resteeming my post! Do it by writing something original and citing my content as a source! DO NOT DO IT BY COPY-PASTING MY WORK INTO YOUR FEED ... THAT'S STEALING!
Community Thoughts
I would love to hear the communities thoughts on the matter of copyright and what you think about copy-pasting the content of others. Please say something about it in the comments.
Side note
The pirates in the picture above are "Clan Darksail" an acting troupe in the Southern California region that portray pirates at ren-faires, parties, and private events. The image is from their "press" page and I am a member of the troupe. The image is used with permission from the copyright holder Richard Rasner.
I just saw this while searching for other articles on copyright infringement, because I was beginning to feel rather alone! I'm a stock photographer with 20+ years of experience and have been fighting this problem from the day I joined 3 weeks ago and found my own stock image being used illegally by a high profile member on the very first blog I read! That was bizarre! Anyway, maybe we can connect? And I would be honored if you would check my blog from a few minutes ago. you should find it by clicking on my screen name! Following you! :-)
Having been a publisher, copyright is VERY important to me. I'm glad you found the blog. Feel free to resteem (even though it's out of its reward period) and I will absolutely take a look at your blog!
Sure will! The more of these kinds of blogs I have on my page the better. @timcliff wrote a great one a few month's back. I will Resteem that one too! I voted for him as a witness, because he understands the problem!
Ah, I think it's too old to be Resteemed. There is no Resteem button there!
Ah oh well ...
I might do an update within a week or two with some up to date info.
Meanwhile I have a contest I'm trying to get traction for :)
Anything exciting? Is it one you are running?
Yes it's for #hiddenplaces
Check out the tag for the contest post
I have shared other people's work before. I did not appreciate this perspective. Another member of STEEMIT help me post other people's articles in a more appropriate manner. They told me to only copy the first few sentences then attach the link to the original story. My intention was just to share information that I found interesting. I have a much better understanding of this now, and will gladly do all you have suggested.
Work like yours is vitally important and valuable.
Thank you.
It's not wrong to share other people's work, it's just wrong when they don't give you permission.
Please feel free to resteem so that this message reaches more people!
resteemed!
Thank you for the resteem!
Thats a good thought!👍
Love the vote of confidence. If you gained value from it and think your followers might, please resteem.
I'd also love to hear any of your thoughts or ideas about copyright on Steem.