Guidelines for Using the Internet

Thought for the day: Don’t be sorry I trusted you. My mistake, not yours!

There are some very useful links out there on the “WWW” on how to keep yourself safe online.

I have been given a few links by friends who are professional journalists and Bloggers, to some interesting articles that may help keep you safe when using any social media, Facebook or developing a Website or Blog. These are in regard to content and use of photographs.

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/copyright-fair-use-and-how-it-works-for-online-images/

But also some simple common sense rules of thumb are …

* Never say anything about a third party, in an email or any form of social media, that you would not say to that person’s face.

* Never put in print anything that you would not be comfortable with everyone reading.

* If your emails prove you to be telling the truth, or in the right, would you be happy to publish them for all to see?

*  If the answer is no, then you should not have been writing them.

* Never do or say anything, that you would not be happy to see appear on the front page of the daily paper.

* Treat other people with the level of respect they have earnt.

* Have some integrity and apologise if you are wrong.

* If a third party is bullying you or taking advantage of you. For your own sanity try and have a witness who you confide in, that is aware of the situation and can vouch that you have done your best to resolve the matter in an honourable way.

There are guidelines on what you can legally say and what you can legally use.

Did You Take the Photo or Create the Graphic?

If you took the photo or created the graphic and are not subject to a Work For Hire agreement, then you own the copyright and can do whatever you wish. The general rule is if you make it, you own it.

From www.thevisualcommunicationguy.com

Q- What if I found the picture on social media or a website?

Whilst the laws about distributing images through social media channels like Facebook, Pinterest and blogs can sound fuzzy, it is generally considered socially acceptable to redistribute an image that was originally intended to be publicly viewed by the creator. This is why you will typically find original images re-posted on blogs, news sites and social media channels even if the person re-distributing the images did not obtain permission to do so.

However, much depends on the way in which you intend to use the images. It is unethical to redistribute and image on Facebook, for example, if a person did not intend for the image to go public in the first place. It is a form of plagiarism to  post an image on your blog or website without citing the original source and it is considered “best practice” to link back to the original source as well.

Pay attention to the Fair Use laws and using other’s images for personal gain, commercial gain and formal presentations without obtaining permission first.

Fair Use is … The legal right to use copyrighted images as long as the images are used for educational, research or personal use, as long as it benefits the public good in some way.

Here are some excellent Australian links.

Can I use that picture ? – Flowchart from The Visual Communication Guy.com

Free speech  What are your rights to free speech ?

Fair use and how it works for online images.

 

Did You Take the Photo or Create the Graphic?

If you took the photo or created the graphic and are not subject to a Work For Hire agreement, then you own the copyright and can do whatever you wish. The general rule is if you make it, you own it.

For example I took the photographs at right. I have the exclusive right to use them. Sage leaving LochWind 7 Mar 2015DSC02238 - Copy

These dogs were both resident at my home when photos were taken .

 

 

 

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