Copyright Basics: Respecting Others' Creative Work

Copyright is a rule that protects the creative work people make — such as books, songs, artwork, photos, and videos. When someone creates something, they own it automatically. Using someone else's work without permission is called copyright violation, and it is unfair to the creator.

What Copyright Protects

• Written text — books, articles, poems, and stories.
• Music and songs — compositions and recorded performances.
• Images and photos — photographs, illustrations, and digital art.
• Videos and films — movies, YouTube videos, and short clips.
• Computer programs and apps — software code and game designs.

Respecting Copyright

• Give credit to the creator when you use their work in a project.
• Use images or music labeled "Creative Commons" or "free to use".
• Ask for permission before using someone's photo or artwork.
• Only copy short quotes from a book, and always name the author.
• Use your own words to describe an idea rather than copying text.

Violating Copyright

• Copying a whole book or article and presenting it as your own work.
• Downloading and sharing music or films without paying for them.
• Using someone's photo in a project without credit or permission.
• Copying code from a program and submitting it as your own.
• Printing and selling copies of a book you did not write.