Information is so easy to come by. We can photocopy articles and pictures from magazines and books, download clip art or CD music, play audio and video tapes, and perform artistic productions as support material for our workshops and not realize we may be committing a crime.

¡°Surely if the source is given credit, they won't mind.¡± ¡°There wasn't a copyright notice on the document, so it must be okay for me to use it.¡± ¡°I don't have time to get permission.¡± ¡°Who's going to find out, anyway?¡± These are common responses from presenters who aren't familiar with copyright law.

The law prohibits photo reproduction, distribution, public display or performance, and audio transmission of another person's original work without permission.

As of January 1, 1978, copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. For instance, music by the classical masters can be used in presentations, but an audiotape of Mozart performed by a specific artist or group needs permission to be used publicly. Fortunately, there are companies that produce music recordings, as well as clip art and articles, specifically for reuse by consumers.

Among the items not subject to copyright laws are titles and names, short phrases, familiar symbols or designs, ideas and concepts, processes and procedures, principles and discoveries.

You can use a short excerpt form a book, for example, but using more may be considered copyright infringement. The law sometimes seems confusing, but ignorance of the law doesn't protect you. So, why not take the time to write what you need in your own words? Remember, you can't copyright an idea.

Copyright is automatic when it's produced in a form that can subsequently be reproduced. Copyright notice isn't mandatory, but is beneficial because it provides publisher of an article, but not the owner of the copyright.

It's better to play it safe if you're going public. Getting caught, even if you mean no harm, won't land you in jail but can cost you, your business, and/or your sponsor a very heavy fine and a bad case of the Copyright Infringement Blues.

For more detailed information, visit http://www.loc.gov/copyright and www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html.

Author's Bio: 

Author and facilitator Jan Noyes can help you become a successful and confident workshop and seminar leader. Use the valuable information and techniques in her PDF manual, "How to Create and Present a Successful Workshop" and discover how easy it can be to teach others what you know. Visit http://www.howto4u.com.