Why write Copyright Tips A Bloggers Guide ? I started looking into copyright and plagiarism issues after the shock of seeing my ideas and almost identical word for word points on another blog. I did not know what to do. It hurt a bit to see this blogger taking praise for my ideas. This blogger had been on ![Copyright Tips [A Bloggers Guide]](https://www.kathleenaherne.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/burglar-rev.png)
my site and even left a comment, within a week my concepts had been reproduced.
Copyright Tips A Bloggers Guide
I have a Guest Post published on Mostly Blogging on this subject.
- How Copyright and Plagiarism can impact your website/business when the unscrupulous come stealing your material.
- How you need to take care and be discerning when using material that does not originate with you. Avoid the copyright bounty hunters, knowing that ignorance is not a defense.
I have made you a PDF. It is 100% FREE. Over 8 pages packed with practical tips and vital information.
I will send it to you to read at your leisure, but do not neglect this important area of blogging. It covers subjects like explaining the Copyright trap that left a blogger $7,500 out of pocket. This is happening to bloggers like you and me. Many are too embarrassed to admit they have been caught.
Included in the PDF –
- A link to a copyright site that has free advice on what to do if your material is stolen.
- Choose from 78 Copyright banners to display on your website.
- Case studies of bloggers who have been caught out. What we can learn from their mistakes.
- Free tools to check the origin of photos, help in avoiding the traps that are costing bloggers $1000’s.
- The PDF is packed full of information and tips so you can be informed and protect yourself.
Copyright Tips A Bloggers Guide
Definitions
Copyright – The legal right a person has to their works, physical or intellectual. Copyright is inherent in the creation of works and does not have to be published or registered.
Plagiarism – is to pass off someone else’s works as your own.
How copyright relates to images found on the Internet. Is it alright to copy Google Images? I have done searches on Google for ‘free images’ and google comes up with a collection of images under the heading of Free Images. Does that mean I can take and use them?
My Scary Research
While researching for this post I met a blogger who had been fined for using a copyrighted image, she later meticulously went through her site using the tool to check origins of images and she deleted quite a number of images of unclear origin and ones that may not have a free to use copyright. Two years later a certain ‘company’, that I do not want to name here, started pursuing her for damages for two images. These two images had been deleted for two years, but they still wanted their money. (This same company is taking damages from hundreds of bloggers).
As I was checking some of my earlier images I found two from this same company. (I had read that they were free to be used, but I did not read the fine print.) Anyway because of the above I decided to delete not just the images but the whole post. I have no idea if that offers more protection or not. Sad 🙁 because this post was daily accessed through search engines.
Does an image disclaimer on your site protect you?
The PDF will give you vital information to protect yourself. You will find answers to many questions that you have.
I talk about the recent emergence of deliberate traps set to catch someone who is tempted to copy. We see from examples that ignorance in not a defense.
Don’t ignore this important subject – it is relevant to us all.
Just to remind you why you have a blog
46 thoughts on “Copyright Tips [A Bloggers Guide]”
Twitter: MrsPaznanski
Thanks for the mention Kathleen! You wrote an important guest post. My readers are getting emmpowered. Thank you!
Janice
Janice Wald recently posted…How to Know if You Have Committed Plagiarism
Twitter: wendyrstaton
Thank you, Kathleen! I just requested your PDF. Looking forward to reading your good information!
Twitter: Sizzling60
Great advice Kathleen! I’ve downloaded the pdf thank you so much.
sue recently posted…Hate Shopping? You need to read this!
Twitter: moneysavvymomma
Great post! It’s one all newbie and seasoned blogger should read. I’ve noticed a lot of new bloggers think they can just save a photo and use it on their blog. I’ve had a few of my photos used with my name still on them. I have given up on watermarking them. They are going to take them anyways. I’ve even had a blog publish my entire post on their website with a little link bank to my site. Which why would people click if they’ve already read the whole post? Anyways great post! Defiantly sharing!
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Very helpful comments, Brittany. I am sorry you have so many not so nice experiences. I would encourage you to always put a little tag with your name and copyright on all photos that are yours. I know it does not stop stealing, but many will be deterred from taking what is legally yours.
It is not alright to copy posts and leave a tribute to the original. You are right, it is taking readers away from the original. It is very bad for SEO. It is legal to do a short quote with a tribute to the source.
I just went to your site for a visit and I liked it. You have some great posts. The only Copyright I saw was at the bottom of the page which few people see. My PDF has examples and a link where you can get quite attractive copyright signs to put on in your sidebar where it will be seen. I also show how to make the copyright sign for photos.
If you don’t mind me saying your blog would go very well in our Blogger’s Pit Stop link up, if you want to come it is live now, up to you.
All the best,
Kathleen
Twitter: PracticalByD
I really appreciated this article and your one on the welcome to the bloggers pit stop. What I didn’t know was how clicking on one more page does for the blogger, or even an ad! So thank you for sharing!
Jen recently posted…Interview Feature With…Bookkeeping Website, Etsy Store Owner and Homeschooling Mom
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks for your kind comments, they are much appreciated. It is one of my main motivations to help and promote other bloggers. That is why I started the Blogger’s Pit Stop. I just read your interview with Melissa, it is very well conducted, I enjoyed reading it.
All the best,
Kathleen
Twitter: satrntgr
Great tips!! In today’s world, you can’t be too careful! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Jamie Tomkins recently posted…8 Simple Tools For Raising Great Kids (Review & Giveaway)
Twitter: Sizzling60
I downloaded the pdf it was so helpful Kathleen. I don’t think bloggers (especially newbies) realise the potential problems so thanks for bringing it to our attention. Lifestyle Bloggers Support Group 🙂
sue recently posted…‘I’ is for Inner Child – The health benefits of releasing your inner child
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks for your kind comments Sue. I was always aware of Copyright and thought I was careful. After doing this research I found that I knew very little of what is going on today and the importance of this subject to the Blogger. I now feel better informed and I am doing things a lot smarter.
Kathleen
Twitter: Sizzling60
Copyright and Plagiarism is something that new bloggers in particular are not aware of. Thanks so much for an informative post Kathleen.
sue recently posted…‘H is for Health & Happiness’ – Why You Need Both
this is such important information Kathleen – something I’m really aware of (much more than I was when I started!)
Leanne recently posted…The A-Z of Positive Personality Traits – I is for Independent
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks Leanne, unfortunately some are learning the hard way at great expense. Many photo sites seem to make it difficult to check the licence of individual graphics, intended or otherwise, I don’t know.
Twitter: wendyrstaton
Hi, Kathleen! Your PDF is very helpful. It seems like copyright would be straightforward — hey, it is a free image, must be okay to use however we want. The fine print is important, though, and confusing. I have been trying to use more of my own photos and really pay attention to the ones I choose to download (I think my site is okay, but I really need to go back and check every old photo!). However, I learned a lot from your PDF about what I still don’t know – thank you!!
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
I am so glad that you found the PDF helpful. Doing the research on this subject opened my eyes to a lot that I did not know. I actually thought I knew about Copyright, it turns out I did not know as much as I thought. I just deleted a whole post as it had two ‘free’ photos on it. I did not read the fine print and the owner of these photos is one of the most aggressive in going after bloggers. This was one of my very early posts that was getting daily search engine traffic.
Twitter: planwithdebbie
It hurts to see your work being copied. It has happened to me so many times… I really need to get some copyright back in place.
Great tips, Kathleen.
Debbie Rodrigues recently posted…Super Easy Healthy Vegan Salads You Will Love
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Yes, it does hurt Debbie. I see a difference between malicious intent, stealing because it looks helpful to them, and accidental breach of copyright. When photo sites do not make it easy to check individual licences, when the graphic says ‘free’, they just say Creative Commons Licence which I used to think meant it was ‘free’. As I researched this post, I found that only one of CC licences is truly free. One is never sure which CC licence applies to the graphic in question.
Twitter: pinsinanutshell
Thanks Kathleen. You always have our back.
Kellie recently posted…Skillet Lasagna
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks dear Kellie, that is a compliment that I value. It could be a bit selfish, but I get so much enjoyment if I find that I have helped another blogger in their efforts to reach their goals.
Twitter: SandySandmeyer
I can’t imagine seeing someone else passing off my work as their own. That must be infuriating. Thanks for sharing your post at the Over the Moon Link Party.
Sandy Sandmeyer recently posted…Spa Shower Experience + $100 Target Giftcard Giveaways
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks Sandy, since researching this subject I am coming into contact with so many bloggers who have had their content stolen. It is not a very nice feeling. I thought I knew this subject of Copyright before I started writing this post, I have learned so very much more from my research that applies to us as bloggers.
Twitter: RaisingSamuels
What a great idea! There are so many bloggers, especially when they are new that have no idea about copyright and image credits. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks Kelly, I learned so much from this research and I thought I knew it before I started LOL. To me, the biggest trap is the Creative Commons Licence that I thought meant ‘free’ when in fact only one of their many licences is truly free.
Twitter: 2crochethooks
wow i had no idea! thanks for sharing this important information on copyright laws for us. I have to check that we are not hosting images by that company or any others. Thanks Kathleen!
Millie recently posted…The Unacceptable Risks – NASA
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
You are a wise lady Millie. Until I researched this, I had no idea of the traps one can find themselves in. Thanks for your (always) helpful comments.
Twitter: Laurieshobbies
Thank you for sharing this valuable information Kathleen! It is very much appreciated! Pinned to share!
~Laurie
Laurie recently posted…Brag About It! 2016-#15
Twitter: CoolTweed
Post author
Thanks Laurie, this has become a very important subject for the blogger. I am meeting so many bloggers whose work has been stolen, so the more we talk about it the more we become aware that it is not OK to copy.
Twitter: twittergailemg1
I ordered the pdf and read it as soon as I got it! As a blogger whose tutorials are constantly being stolen this article gives me insight into blogging subjects and advice I had no idea on how to deal with. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and knowlege, Kathleen!
Twitter: anxiousgeek
I get all my images (well nearly all) from Wiki Commons, it’s a great resource.
Twitter: wendyrstaton
These mistakes are so easy to make, especially in the beginning. I thought early on I was doing things the correct way, but learned as I went along that I wasn’t. Thanks again — this is a post we all need to re-read periodically as a refresher!
Twitter: DarleneBNemeth
Thanks Kathleen for the PDF. It’s packed with important information for all bloggers. Thanks again for the great resource and quick reference guide.
I am so pleased that the PDF helped Darlene.
Twitter: yadadarcyyada
This is scary! (Shudders!).
Thanks for sharing and I did the same so others can be terrified. 😉
Hope this week is treating you kindly. 🙂
Enjoying the #pinterestgame
Donna Parker recently posted…Shock and Awww
Twitter: tootiejen
Kathleen thank you so much for this post and more thanks for the PFD . I look forward the reading it. Have a great day
Twitter: robinsoutdoors
I discovered a blog I thought I’d enjoy a lot until two or three posts in I read “photos borrowed from online.” I can’t support that kind of behavior so I won’t be reading that blog. A newspaper in another state used my photography. Surely a newspaper knows better! I now mark all of the photos I wouldn’t wanted “borrowed” with my url. It’s a shame to have to put in the extra time.
Wonderful advice, Kathleen. I’ve requested your pdf and will surely find it valuable information.Thank you for offering it!
Beverly recently posted…Mother’s Day Gift Guide
Twitter: olivesnokra
This is great information to share! Last year, I saw a photo of mine circulating online. I followed the links through FB, and discovered that a magazine had lifted my photo and recipe and didn’t give me any credit. Not a good experience.
Twitter: vikalpah
Much needed stuff for me. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We would love to have you again next week.
Oh wow, upsetting and scary!! I will definitely be downloading and studying your info as soon as I’m back on my home computer.
Thank you for sharing this important topic at #FridayFrivolity!! Pinning and tweeting
It is a bit scary Sarah, thanks for the comments. Thanks for sharing it.
Twitter: pokercubster
Awesome post Kathleen. Glad I could share some tips. And I’m sorry to hear you deleted a whole post because you were concerned about the removed photos. From what I understand, we must not only delete photos from our posts, but also from our servers, so there is no longer anything on file as ‘downloaded’ to your computer. It’s just awful that people have the right to spy in our downloads, but that’s the way the cyber world is.
Twitter: planwithdebbie
It’s never too much to remind people of the importance of copyright, Kathleen.
Thanks a lot for sharing this information.
Debbie Rodrigues recently posted…You Got Consistency All Wrong. Learn How To Do It Right.
Twitter: wendyrstaton
Kathleen, I really appreciate how much time and effort you put into researching your posts. Thank you again for such valuable information!
Twitter: billpratt
This is critical information for bloggers! Every business has certain areas of compliance and liabilities and blogging is no different! I actually only use purchased images for my blog, but I know not everyone has the money to pay for the royalty-free images from the major image galleries. This pdf is a great resource to keep you protected and prevent you from losing out on your hard-earned money – or even money you haven’t even earned! Nobody got into blogging to spend a lot of money and time to get sued and lose even more money.
Bill recently posted…Best.Vacation.Ever. How I Prioritize My Spending