The first thing I did before creating my blog was read, Blogging With Moxie (I bought it through Amazon.com). The book provided me with lots of valuable information--practically all the basic information I needed to start blogging immediately.
One of the first things the authors suggested was to put a copyright notice somewhere visible on one's blog, which I did.
Since then I've had various discussions on whether the notice is necessary. Is it being self-indulgent, presumptuous, egotistical, downright silly? Or does it's use have valid legal importance.
***What are your thoughts on adding the copyright notice to your blog? Do you think it's important?
30 comments:
Copyrights are interesting to me. As far as I've researched -the second YOU write something or YOU take a picture of something, you own it. It is yours whether or not you slap a copyright on it. THat being said, I don't think most people completely get that concept. For example, anytime someone takes a picture from somewhere on the internet without permission and posts it on their blog -that is violating that person's copyright.
SO I think that little disclaimer thing at the top of your blog would probably discourage some from stealing your stuff.
Just wait until you hear my story! I will send it to you via e-mail! It is a horror story!
Heather- Thanks for your thoughts! I'm very interested in what my readers think about this subject.
Pat- Can't wait to hear it!!!!
You've brought up an interesting point, and I'm certainly going to watch your comments for more input. I don't have one on my blog, but if it seems there's a valid reason to, I'd add a copyright notice as well.
Joanne- From what I am now hearing, it's a good thing to have it for a bit of protection. Also see and perhaps add the COPYSCAPE tab that's found in my righthand column.
Hum. I wonder now, if I need to have a copyright disclaimer. I post a lot of pictures and such. You got me thinkin'.
Dawn- I would certainly advise it, from what I've learned today. You have many VERY PRECIOUS things on both your blogs that should be protected.
You can see what I have to say on my blog about the matter and what happened to me.
In addition, I just heard about a rancher friend in the Texas Panhandle who takes beautiful photos of ranching country. She posted a lovely photo of two of their bulls getting ready to butt heads. It was cold and steam was coming out of their noses. She posted the picture on her blog and later went to the state fair. The blue ribbon prize went to THAT photograph--entered by some OTHER person. What some people won't do!!
I had not thought about this before, but I'm going to add one to my blog. Based on Pat's experience, I posted a piece about copyright earlier this week.
Pat- Thank you so much for speaking out. Most of us stay in our own little blogging world and don't realize some of the nasty things people sometimes do.
I appreciate the post on your blog and encourage all my readers to take a look.
Ritergal- Thank you for your post and info.
I'm torn, too, because I see the benefit behind it, though I've often heard (like others) it doesn't matter in the long run: Your work is your work. Intriguing post, that's for sure.
Janna- Please Pat's post if you get a chance.
Barbara,I'm glad you posted this on your blog...since I'm still fairly new to blogging, I'm always looking for blogging "help". The book you mentioned looks like it could be very helpful and is on my wish list...thank you
Hmmmmmm Barbara, I didn't read a book, I just decided start to blog and did. So its not as smooth as some. I would still be in a dither if it weren't for Nikki. She keeps things going for me. I think I will have her add a copyright thingy to mine. Have a good week, I am off to Albany tomorrow AM early.
JD- I'm glad it helped you.
Lea- Have a safe trip!!
Barbara, this is an interesting discussion. I noticed the copyright notification on your blog, but didn't think much about it. I'm very new to the blogging world and don't really know what I'm doing. I think I'll do a bit more research about this. Thanks for bringing to our attention.
Karen- The way I look at it is there's no harm in having it on the blog. It might do some good.
If someone's determined to steal, there's really nothing you can do about it, but that little disclaimer at least tells them again that they're trespassing. If you ever had to go to court over copyright infrigement, you'd have the notice at your blog as extra protection, etc. I have one up at my blog too.
I don't bother - I have so much stuff "out there" - blogs, website, zines, etc, that I just let it all go...there is the "implied copyrights" that many people ignore....but, the burden of proof is on the writer and what a fight it could be! However, I do have that on my website, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to put it on the blog!
Now, I received the most beautiful pashima I've ever seen in my mail -- in fact, the person who sent it would never know that GMR bought me this lovely dress that needed a wrap to go with it and I was thinking "oh, what wrap should I go buy to go with this dress?" and then I opened my mail - and...there it was...the perfect wrap ...how did this person know such a thing? I wrapped it around me...oh!~ divine.... I am honored this person sent me such a lovely gift -- isn't this person you?
Angie- thanks for the comment. I agree.
Kathryn- Yes, the pashmina was from me. I couldn't remember if I had put my name on it or not. I'm so glad you like it!!
I have a copyright on my blog and I am all for it. What is mine is mine. I don't want to see anyone steal it. How hard is it for someone to ask if they can use it?
Becca- I agree.
I don't put one on mine--mostly because I don't publish anything on my blog I would want to copyright. I am careful not to publish any picutres I wouldn't want floating around the web because I always figure that's a possibility. My blog is more of a conversation. But, if I were publishing my poetry, stories, etc.on a blog--which I wouldn't--but if I did, I'd put the disclaimer on it. But people can rearrange words--take off with your ideas--and it may be hard to prove they were ever really yours. My thinking is, publish your work in a journal--then, after it's published, provide a link or excerpts--and it will have been protected by the Journal it was published in.
Linda- For sure, a disclaimer should go with anything of importance.
I don't think I need it, some might like to use one. Almost everything I put on my blog, someone else has sent me through an e-mail.
I don't know how a copyright works on a blog, but I do know on a book, you have to fill out papers, send some money into the copyright office to have a book copyrighted. (is that a word?)
Patty-Thank you.
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