Copyright
Many get confused about Copyright law, whether you are a poet, a writer, or an artist. To be completely frank, it can be a messy business. That's why it's so important, in our age of information, to be aware of these laws and to be completely honest while also protecting yourself.
On the Theft of Words
Many beautiful things have been said throughout history by many beautiful minds. They are easy to relate to and touch our hearts because we have something in common. It's called humanity! We all feel the same types of emotions, and no matter what age we live in, we all go through similar things that have similar outcomes... but just because someone wrote it, and it seems to speak to your very soul, it doesn't mean it is yours.
People go through a lot to break down barriers enough to express themselves. Then, they break down even more barriers in order to find the courage to share it with others. If you wish to say the same thing, find your own words to say it. Your feelings and thoughts are your own, and your experiences are different than others, so draw upon those to be unique in your work.
Of course, there is also the option to credit the writer! Let others know about the person behind the words. You never know, maybe they'll like other things that they have written, as well.
But under no circumstance are you to make money off of what other people write, because not only is it wrong, but you can get into serious trouble for it. I doubt that you'd want to pay thousands of dollars in compensation and legal fees if you get caught!
On Artwork Theft
Some people who are unaware of Copyright Law will search on Google, Instagram, Photobucket, Bing, Pinterest, and other picture sites for pictures that they want... and then will post them wherever they wish (attaching their poetry to it or even using it for book covers). The fact of the matter is that it doesn't belong to you.
Just as you went through all of the trouble of writing your masterpiece, the artist who took the picture or painted it went through just as much trouble on theirs. The painter spends hours hovering over their piece, suffering back pain and eye strain to create something to touch you with... pouring their soul and energy into their work. The photographer drags their equipment into the wilderness, sometimes to places that are unreachable with cars to show you something unique and beautiful... spending hours just to find that perfect shot.
Artists should be given credit where credit is due, no matter what kind of artist it is... and besides, you don't want to spend thousands of dollars compensating someone because you are making money off of their work!
Conclusion
Copyright Laws are there for a reason... mostly because it seems necessary to protect creative minds from those that wish to take advantage of them. It is a sad shame, but it is our reality.
The best way to make sure that you are following those laws and giving credit where credit is due is to follow these simple steps:
I hope this was helpful, and I wish everyone the best!
And just keep in mind, this is all a courtesy bestowed from one artist to another.
You never know, they might do the same for you!
~Selina Ahnert
(True Beginnings Publishing)
For the current information on Copyright, please visit: http://copyright.gov/title17/
On the Theft of Words
Many beautiful things have been said throughout history by many beautiful minds. They are easy to relate to and touch our hearts because we have something in common. It's called humanity! We all feel the same types of emotions, and no matter what age we live in, we all go through similar things that have similar outcomes... but just because someone wrote it, and it seems to speak to your very soul, it doesn't mean it is yours.
People go through a lot to break down barriers enough to express themselves. Then, they break down even more barriers in order to find the courage to share it with others. If you wish to say the same thing, find your own words to say it. Your feelings and thoughts are your own, and your experiences are different than others, so draw upon those to be unique in your work.
Of course, there is also the option to credit the writer! Let others know about the person behind the words. You never know, maybe they'll like other things that they have written, as well.
But under no circumstance are you to make money off of what other people write, because not only is it wrong, but you can get into serious trouble for it. I doubt that you'd want to pay thousands of dollars in compensation and legal fees if you get caught!
On Artwork Theft
Some people who are unaware of Copyright Law will search on Google, Instagram, Photobucket, Bing, Pinterest, and other picture sites for pictures that they want... and then will post them wherever they wish (attaching their poetry to it or even using it for book covers). The fact of the matter is that it doesn't belong to you.
Just as you went through all of the trouble of writing your masterpiece, the artist who took the picture or painted it went through just as much trouble on theirs. The painter spends hours hovering over their piece, suffering back pain and eye strain to create something to touch you with... pouring their soul and energy into their work. The photographer drags their equipment into the wilderness, sometimes to places that are unreachable with cars to show you something unique and beautiful... spending hours just to find that perfect shot.
Artists should be given credit where credit is due, no matter what kind of artist it is... and besides, you don't want to spend thousands of dollars compensating someone because you are making money off of their work!
Conclusion
Copyright Laws are there for a reason... mostly because it seems necessary to protect creative minds from those that wish to take advantage of them. It is a sad shame, but it is our reality.
The best way to make sure that you are following those laws and giving credit where credit is due is to follow these simple steps:
- If it isn't yours, don't touch it...
- If you must touch it, find out where it came from... and then, credit the artist, photographer, etc. This may include paying for rights to use it. Google, Instagram, Photobucket, Bing, Pinterest, and other picture sites are NOT the author or artist that created the piece... You can use many services to obtain this information... Two of them being:
- Tineye - plug your image in, and it will search parts of the web. Look for legitimate addresses for art sites... Ignore wallpaper sites and the like...
- Google Image Search - Click on the 'Image' tab on the Google home page... plug in your image, and it will search a VAST amount of images. Only look for legitimate addresses, again...
- Do not piece together stolen work to make something new... it would be like making a brand new car with stolen parts. Yes, it may run. Yes, you did put work into it, but the fact is, no matter how much you dress it up, it's still stolen, your hard work is tainted with that shame, and you will eventually get caught. There exists people out there that derive great pleasure from doing nothing but researching and catching people. GO THEM!
- If you wish to profit from a piece of artwork, GET PERMISSION... I cannot stress this enough... I have seen so many artists heartbroken over the theft of their work. Many of them make a living with their talents, and it is so unfair to have income stolen out from under them because of theft. Many artists won't ask for an arm or a leg for the use of their work, and many who have created something years ago only ask that you link back to their sites so they can get more business from those that like what you used. So, never take these things for granted... you could be stealing from the mouths of their children. You wouldn't want someone to do that to yours, right?
I hope this was helpful, and I wish everyone the best!
And just keep in mind, this is all a courtesy bestowed from one artist to another.
You never know, they might do the same for you!
~Selina Ahnert
(True Beginnings Publishing)
For the current information on Copyright, please visit: http://copyright.gov/title17/
On Book Covers
We live in a world that is all about visual appeal. Companies want to create products to catch your eye so you will buy them. Clothing lines use models that would appeal to the masses. Movies are advertised with trailers that make you want to see them. And then, products are packaged with the consumer’s interest in mind. If the advertisement and packaging does not work, they use years worth of research to create something that does.
So, how does this have anything to do with your book?
They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In reality, though, that’s exactly what we are taught to do. From the moment that we turn on the TV or open up our internet browser or walk into a store, we are bombarded with visuals that are designed to make us look and buy. If it isn’t interesting, we ignore it.
Because of this, we as Authors need to keep in mind that our cover is the most important part of our book. We could have the most amazing story that has ever been written, but without something to catch the viewer’s eye, how will we get their attention?
Because of the bombardment of information and visual appeal that is everywhere, our books are similarly lumped into the same category. The cover is a type of packaging for our words, and it should reflect the awesome nature of our message, within… or our story.
It is a fact that books with better packaging (covers) catch the viewer’s attention and sell better than those that are plain. When graphic designers and artists go to school, we are taught about what works, what doesn’t work, and what it takes to be unique and appealing. That is why it is important to find someone that knows what they are doing. It will cost a little to have it done, but in the long-run, it will be worth it!
So, if you are wanting to write, don’t forget the cover!
~Selina Ahnert
(True Beginnings Publishing)
So, how does this have anything to do with your book?
They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In reality, though, that’s exactly what we are taught to do. From the moment that we turn on the TV or open up our internet browser or walk into a store, we are bombarded with visuals that are designed to make us look and buy. If it isn’t interesting, we ignore it.
Because of this, we as Authors need to keep in mind that our cover is the most important part of our book. We could have the most amazing story that has ever been written, but without something to catch the viewer’s eye, how will we get their attention?
Because of the bombardment of information and visual appeal that is everywhere, our books are similarly lumped into the same category. The cover is a type of packaging for our words, and it should reflect the awesome nature of our message, within… or our story.
It is a fact that books with better packaging (covers) catch the viewer’s attention and sell better than those that are plain. When graphic designers and artists go to school, we are taught about what works, what doesn’t work, and what it takes to be unique and appealing. That is why it is important to find someone that knows what they are doing. It will cost a little to have it done, but in the long-run, it will be worth it!
So, if you are wanting to write, don’t forget the cover!
~Selina Ahnert
(True Beginnings Publishing)