Transcript for video guide: Be copy-right ♥
So, guess who woke up this morning, had a stretch and said: "Today, I am going to infringe on someone's copyright!"
No-one.
Because that's not what we're about. Any of us!
We seek out art forms that reflect something within us. When we stumble upon it, we feel inspired and induced by life.
And maybe we want to share it with others so they can feel the same. And also see us a little bit better.
Because that is what we are about: to see and be seen ♥
But – really - there is something we must talk about: Copyright!
Right?
What is copyright?
The copy-right law says: when someone creates something that benefits humankind, they get the right to decide over their creation for a certain amount of time.
Seems fair, right?
This enables them to create more work for the benefit of all of us. We both want and need that because creativity is our common engine as human beings.
So, what this means for you, is that you must extend your appreciation of the artwork to active respect for the artist.
You must be copy-right.
Be what?
Be copy-right ♥
But - how does one go about being copy-right when copyright law seems so incomprehensible? And, on top of that, the internet overflows with temptations?
You focus on what to do instead of what not to do.
So, let's get to it!
We'll begin with a couple of facts about copyright law. These facts will show you how to operate successfully on Jigidi within the boundaries of the copyright law.
Copyright law on a global service
The first thing to understand is that, although copy-right laws may differ from country to country, copy-right is generally protected on a global scale through international conventions.
The second thing is that, as a general rule, a copyright owner can take legal action in the country where the infringement takes place.
This means you best get acquainted with some general content-sharing virtues. These virtues will carve out paths for you to stick by when you share images on Jigidi that are not your own.
Sound good?
Alright, here they come!
Three general copyright virtues on Jigidi
The first virtue is: Know that you are responsible for what you share.
Who is?
You are.
Not the others who also share work on the internet. Not the ones who uploaded what you decide to share. Not the platform on which you share the work.
You are responsible for what you share on the internet and elsewhere.
The second virtue is this: To be copy-right is an activity.
Even when you see that others have shared the same image you are looking to share. It does not mean that you have permission to share the image.
Fact is that every manmade thing most likely is owned by someone. It may be someone private, a company or the public. First, you have to find out who. And that entails some detective work.
The third virtue goes like this: Not knowing means no sharing!
Yup. Not knowing will not suffice. You can only use material you positively know you have permission to use.
Ok, so now that we have got the 3 virtues down (we have, haven't we?), we can move on to the good stuff: Tips on how to be copy-right on Jigidi!
We have got four tips for you altogether. And we'll start with: Permission via the Public Domain.
Tip 1: Permission via Public Domain
If you find work within the so-called public domain, you have permission to share it without any further ado.
But what is the Public domain?
In this context, the term "Public Domain" refers to creative materials that are not protected by copyright.
You could say that the public "owns" these works - not an individual artist.
Not every country has the exact term 'Public Domain' incorporated in its copyright law. But the principle that some material is part of the Public Domain is a general concept we can steer by.
So, where do you find work in the Public Domain? Is there a global database or something?
No, not as such. But there are websites that present creative work they claim are part of the public domain.
You can also try taking it from the top, so to speak, and write "find art in the public domain" in the google search box.
A truly joyous treasure hunt awaits you!
But bear in mind what we established earlier: being copy-right is an activity. So, make sure to double-check that the image you choose is, in fact, in the public domain and not protected by any intellectual property rights.
Alright, onwards to copy-right tip number 2: Permission via custom licenses.
Tip 2: Permission via custom licenses
Where the Public Domain is an either-or category (either it is in the Public Domain or it isn't), the category for custom licenses is more like a spectrum of permission where artists make their work available under certain conditions.
Typically, these conditions involve giving credit to the artist, whether or not a payment is required and in which context you are allowed to share the image.
As these requirements may differ, you must always make sure that you can comply with their conditions before you share the image on Jigidi.
"Where can you find collections of images under some sort of custom license?" you ask?
Some websites offer extensive collections of custom licensed work from different artists. And it really is a great pleasure searching around on such websites!
So, that was it for the Public Domain and custom licenses.
But wait - what if you have your heart set on an image that is neither available in the Public Domain or under a custom license?
Then you must find out who owns it and ask for permission from the owner.
Tip 3: Permission from the owner
The first thing to consider is which permission you need to publish the image on Jigidi.
And from there, you put on your detective hat (yes, the one from before ☺) and go searching for the creator of the work to ask for two things:
• if he or she has the copy-rights to the image – and if so
• whether they will grant you permission to publish the image as a Jigidi puzzle on Jigidi.com.
Now, onwards to the last copy-right tip, we'll highlight in this video: Create your own images!
Tip 4: Create your own images
Yes, this is an obvious one. But really - have you considered that you could create something for the world to see?
I can tell you right now - as a representative of the world - that the world would love to see it! Any photo that reflects your day, your thoughts - or your sense of humour, maybe?
Another creative path you can consider is to make your own art by some of the fantastic tools for digital art you can find online.
Such a combination of both doing puzzles and indulging in creative production yourself is just straight-up brain fitness.
Add to this the positive social interaction that follows when your fellow puzzlers respond to your puzzles on Jigidi. That combination is the equivalent of heavy weightlifting for your brain!
Alright, so this was our shortlist of tips on how you can be copy-right on Jigidi. We do hope it will be useful to you.
But before we go, let's pay our well-rested friend from this morning another visit...
To see and be seen
Guess who woke up thinking: "Today, I'm gonna look for what fills me with excitement and connect with others who may feel the same".
I did! You did! We all did!
And we do so every day.
We seek to make an impression and to connect with one another through creativity.
And thankfully, as a modern society, we have the means to support creativity and creative work. And one of them is the regulations under copyright law.
So, go be copy-right ♥
On Jigidi and everywhere else!