Found something online and you want to use it? With the endless amount of content online, many don’t know where to draw the line in terms of seeking permissions. There are a few things to consider before you start utilizing any potential material.
Is the content considered within the realm of public domain? Any work published before 1923 is considered part of the public domain. You can additionally find guides online that should prove helpful in determining whether the material is safe to use.
Similar to public domain, there’s another safe zone referred to as the Creative Commons. These pieces are usually very upfront about being an alternative to copyrighted material. There’s several sites and blogs online licensed under the Creative Commons.
You can always refer to the title or author of any content. Simply mentioning an author or the name of their article is perfectly acceptable. People generally overstep this boundary by including specific excerpts from the respective piece of work.
Practice fair use guidelines when selecting your material. Generally speaking, quoting small portions of any piece of work is acceptable – especially when you cite your sources.
Understanding these exemptions can help you avoid copyright laws.