diff --git a/copyright-and-trademarks.md b/copyright-and-trademarks.md index 50feba4..c87ad82 100644 --- a/copyright-and-trademarks.md +++ b/copyright-and-trademarks.md @@ -10,34 +10,43 @@ Copyright protection begins when the work is first created and it doesn’t requ Copyright notice on the work is not required but it is recommended, since it cuts off a defense of innocent infringement. ### Copyright at Agaric + We default to a Creative Commons license whenever possible. ### Other creators’ copyrights -We respect the copyright of other creators. If we want to use someone else’s copyrighted work, we have to obtain a license from the owners. -A copyright license spells out these terms: -Where we can use the work -How long we can use it for -How much we’ll pay them for the use -Whether or not we’re the only ones who can use the work -What we can do with the work -Any restrictions on our use (for example, that we can use it online but not on a billboard) -A common license will read something like this: -“You grant Agaric a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty free license to display, distribute, and publish the Work in our marketing in any medium now known or later developed.” -### Social media and copyright -This is an area where the letter of the law and common practice sometimes differ. -Social media posts often include copyrighted elements like pictures, GIFs, or pieces of writing. If you’re using a copyrighted element in a commercial manner on social media, you should request permission from the copyright holder. Since Agaric is a company, we defer to the position that our use will be perceived as commercial. But if you’re using it in a more informative or commentary way, like sharing a meme to indicate how you feel about a news story, you may not need to request permission. +We respect the copyright of other creators. If we want to use someone else's copyrighted work, we have to obtain a license from the owners. +A copyright license spells out these terms: + + - Where we can use the work + - How long we can use it for + - How much we'll pay them for the use + - Whether or not we’re the only ones who can use the work + - What we can do with the work + - Any restrictions on our use (for example, that we can use it online but not on a billboard) + +For example: + +"You grant Agaric a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty free license to display, distribute, and publish the Work in our marketing in any medium now known or later developed." -Regardless, you should always link to the source of the copyrighted element you’re using, and never make it look like you created work that belongs to someone else. ### Image use and copyright -Agaric oftentimes uses original images in our blog posts. If you use an image, photo, or other design element made by someone outside Agaric, get permission first. Once you have permission, always give the copyright owner credit and link back to the original source. -Images retrieved via Google image search are not licensed for fair use, but many images are available under license through stock photo websites, or open for use under a Creative Commons license. Flickr has a great search feature for images available under Creative Commons licenses. +Agaric prefers using original images in our blog posts. Ben has a lot of random images and you can check with him on subjects. We also have a relationship with [Martin Owens to commission digital vector art made with Inkscape](https://www.patreon.com/doctormo). + +If you use an image, photo, or other design element made by someone outside Agaric, get permission first. Once you have permission, always give the copyright owner credit and link back to the original source. + +Attribution goes for Creative Commons also, and we have an attribution field built into our website for blog posts. + +Good sources of Creative Commons or open access (public domain) images include: + + - Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/search/?license=4%2C5%2C6%2C9%2C10 + - Smithsonian Institute: https://www.si.edu/openaccess ### Other licenses #### Creative Commons licenses + Instead of the standard “all rights reserved,” some creators choose to make their work available for public use with different levels of attribution required. That’s what we’ve done with this style guide. Find a breakdown of licenses on the Creative Commons website. We love to share our work and use these licenses frequently.