I addressed the issue of protecting your creative ideas and photos back in September of 2008. However, with all the new bloggers that have joined our favorite past time, I feel like it’s time to talk about it again.
The hot topic for today is copyright.
Yep, this is an important subject for all bloggers. As bloggers, we freely share our ideas, photos, and inspiration with each other to embellish our lives. Whether you’re just blogging for fun or to become an expert in your field – everyone should have Creative Commons license posted on their blog side bar.
Please be aware that there is a difference between being inspired by a blogger and copying another blogger. So to avoid any confusion and to protect yourself, you should know that there are some easy ways to protect your products, photos, and ideas.
First, you can get a creative commons license on your blog. Simply click participate, then licensing page to get your code and paste it onto your blog. I personally e-mail all bloggers who have this on their blog to ask permission if I can use 1 photo of theirs and then link it back to their blog.
Next, you can watermark your pictures. Here are some tutorials I found and I hope they’re helpful.
1. Video tutorial using PhotoShop
2. Windows Paint tutorial
3. Tutorial using Photoshop Elements
What to do if you want to use someone’s photo or idea:
If you find an idea here on Tip Junkie or on another blog that you want to blog about, first look on their sidebar to see if they have a copyright disclaimer. If they do, then e-mail them or leave a comment to ask their permission. If you don’t already have a relationship with this blogger, please compliment them on their post and tell them specifically why you’d like to use one of their images (don’t take more than 1 – that’s uncool). If they don’t have a copyright then you’re welcome to blog about it without permission.
However, proper blog etiquette is that you must link back to that person and be sure to give them proper credit in your post. It’s important that you link back to that specific post – not just their home page. This way your readers can quickly find the source of your inspiration or tutorial with out a lot of leg work on their part.
Even though I have a copyright on my blog it’s only to protect those who have submitted their ideas, feel free to blog about all these ideas but be sure to link back here or the original submitters post. That will keep you safe from copyright infringement.
I want to thank each one of you for freely sharing your ideas and letting us all be inspired by them. You make my days more beautiful.
Laurie’ Being Way To Candid: {{the following is said lovingly, of course}}
The reason I am blogging about this topic again, is because from time to time I find my blog posts copied and pasted onto onto other blogs. Not only did they take the entire post – but they didn’t even link back here to Tip Junkie to give proper credit. In all honesty, it doesn’t make me upset. When I was a new blogger – I made mistakes all the time! You learn the ropes as you go since there’s not one place which states all blog etiquette.
To give you a peek at my perspective: On average, I spend 3 hours on each post for Tip Junkie. I make sure that every day I turn out quality content and relevant information that I think you will LOVE. Not like – but love! I then spend many more hours answering questions via e-mail, helping people on the TJ Community, and conjuring up crazy fun ideas to help my Mom-preneurs.
I know that other bloggers spend the same amount of blood, sweat, and tears over their blogs as well. It is not OK for you to take others bloggers posts. It is also not OK for anyone to copy and paste the RSS Feed (links or images) from my Tip Junkie Blog Events and Giveaway Directory. I spent 3 months and hundreds of dollars designing it to help other bloggers quickly find free products that are being given away from Mom-preneurs as well as to help bloggers launch their sites using my traffic.
I promise that all of the long hours and dedication to Tip Junkie is for your benefit. I adore my readers and feel honored that you spend a couple minutes visiting each day. There are so many fabulous bloggers and I know you have a lot of amazing choices on how to spend your precious time. Tip Junkie is designed to make your visit here quick, feature fabulous women, and bring a little “glitter” to your day.
I want to make you smile the best way I know how – with creative projects. Y’all ROCK!
xoxo
Laurie
Comments
Thank you for the tips! I needed the tutorial! I visit your site regularly–love it!
Thanks for this. I had a big name blogger steal an idea straight from my blog. She used it as her own and never gave me credit. It created a blog stir. I still get upset every time I think about it!
I understand what you are saying and think it’s a great idea and a super reminder. However, I don’t think just by putting a button on your side bar will protect anyone from having their idea stolen. If someone comes up with a great idea and they are planning on selling it they need to get a legal copyright before posting.
I think that anyone that copies a post of some other blog should get permission to do so first. A photo or idea with a link back is nice too.
Hugs
Joanne
I completely agree that a button on your blog won’t totally protect you – but it’s a start. Thank you so much for bringing further conversation on the subject. Personally, I haven’t pursued trademarks or official copyright so unfortunately I don’t have any further advice.
Thank you for posting this information. As I get more and more into my own blogging and visit lots of other blogs, copyright issues continue to cross my mind. It’s part of my nature. I’m a school librarian and am constantly reminding my teachers.
Very well said!
As someone who ended up seeing her photos in a local magazine (without the credit) I applaud your efforts to educate everyone.
Thank you Laurie for that great tip. I now have a copyright license on my blog. That is something that I was going to look into as I am going to start selling my jewellery from my blog soon. You’ve done all the hard work for me! I really appreciate it. Thanks for your great blog and all your helpful tips.
Thank you so much for this! Even though I highly doubt anyone would want to steal my content, I feel better with the CC License button in my sidebar. For me, it’s there to set rules for the people who visit my blogs.
Hey Laurie –
You say everything so darn well! I’ve been a “victim” of copy/paste and it is very frustrating to say the least! I don’t think people realize how much time we put into a post – I like how you broke it down so we could see how much time you put into this site! Great reminder, and great tutorial. I think I just may post a link as a kind reminder to people reading my site! :) You’re an inspiration – thanks for all you do!
Thanks for the fabulous information!! (I have a Melting Snowman cookie design that has been not only copied all over the web, without links to me and with others taking credit for the design to great accolades. I even had a picture taken right from my blog and submitted in a contest. It’s been driving me nuts, so this is comforting to read, not only for the information, but for like-minded company.)
What great information! So true and so helpful. What else would I expect from Tip Junkie? Love ya!
Thank you for this GREAT info!
Thanks for all you do, Laurie! I’ve learned so much from your tips. You make me feel like I can do this blogging thing.
Thank you for talking about this. I haven’t had the time to read up on this subject but I knew I needed to.
thank you!! This tip was really useful!!!
Thanks so much for this info! I am a new blog and you are actually featuring my easy peezy wallet today. I’ve actually thought a lot about this but just didn’t know the resources to do anything about it. Thanks so much for helping us newbies learn the ropes.
Thanks for the great info and reminder.
Oh mercy I learn so much on the way I wander around the web… I have a blog started however I have not done much with it due to the fact that I just don’t know that much. geeezz I have been on line sence there was an online… and have used computers for most of my adult life… I’m 52 and the more I learn the more I find out new stuff. thanks for your insite… LOVE this place.. newly signed up. thanks cynD
I love this! Great tips~!
Hmmm… I’m a new blogger so I’m just starting to consider if my own work is copyrighted and how to protect it.
This was a good starting point – thank you so much!
How do you find your work is being stolen? A specific website? You stumble upon it? I’m just curious so I can see if my own work is being taken without credit.
Thanks for your help!!
-Lauren
Thank you for the wise words. I am a new blogger and have always emailed to ask permission before using someone else’s photo. I am glad I assumed it was good blogging etiquette to do so! Your blog is wonderful, thank you for all your hardwork! xx
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