Huan-Chen Tang

Copyright Policy

Overview

Unless specifically stated that a certain material is public domain, everything on the web is copyrighted as soon as the webpage is created. Though it is best to do so, it is not required to state that the text, image/graphic, or sound/video is copyrighted. Everything placed on the web is automatically protected by copyright laws. It is unlawful to use any text, images/graphics, or sound/video without permission.

Also, you cannot put anything onto the web that is copyrighted without permission. Even if you own a certain text (books, plays, poems...), image/graphic, or sound/video (music, ringtones, movies), you still cannot put it onto the web without permission.

Getting permission

To get permission, you need to contact the owner of the copyright. If you get permission, you should keep a copy of the document that gives you the permission to put the text, image/graphic, or sound/video on the web, or use the material from the web.

Depending on the material that you want to obtain permission to use, there may be different steps to obtaining that permission. But the main thing is that you need to figure out who owns that copyright. Then you need to contact them and ask for permission. In asking for permission, you need to tell them how you intend to use their material. Sometimes, they may ask you to pay a fee before you can use that material.

Fair Use

"Fair Use" allows you to use certain material from the web or put certain material onto the web without getting permission. Here are some things (this is not a complete list) that fall under "Fair Use":

• Critiquing
• Newsreport
• Parody
• Educational Use

If you are using the material for the above mentioned purposes, you can use it without getting permission. But remember that this is "Fair Use". You cannot copy the entire work without being subject to copyright laws, even if you are using it for the above stated purposes.

If you are critiquing an article, for example, you do not need the entire article to critique it. You are allowed to use a fair amount of quotes from it. Also important to remember is that in all of these "Fair Use" cases, you need to cite the original source. Give credit where it is due.

Adherence

I have personally adhered to copyright laws in the creation of my website. Everything that I have put on my website come from either my own mind or have been properly cited and given credit (I link to the website where I learned certain things for my assignments). The pictures that I have included on my website are either taken by me or by family members and friends. I have permission to include these pictures on my website. I would urge you to follow the copyright laws as summarized in the overview. It is not only the lawful thing to do, but the ethical thing to do. Don't steal material that others have worked hard for.