Copyright, like trademarks and patents, provide creators of intellectual and artistic works with the legal ownership of and protection for their work.

The moment you put an idea or thought into any kind of media (print, electronic, music, graphic, physical) it is automatically copyrighted. This includes web sites. A copyright symbol is not necessary for a work to be copyrighted.

Only the copyright holder has the right to use a work without restriction. Except for a few very specific situations, no one can use the expression of an idea unless copyright holder gives him/her permission to do so.

In the practical world of published or produced materials, this means that anyone who wishes to use someone else's "intellectual property" must get permission to do so and frequently must pay for that use. Those who have violated copyright protection have had to pay substantial fines.

Any time you want to quote someone else's work in your project, you need to consider copyright. The "fair use" policy is often interpreted to mean that it is ok to make a copy for your own personal use. However, it is not quite that simple. "Fair use" means that you must answer the following questions:

How do you intend to use the material?

• is it for a commercial or for profit use - you need to get permission
• is it for an educational use - you probably need to get permission
• it it a small portion for criticism, commentary, news reporting - at a minimum you need to cite your source
• how much have you transformed the original idea, added value to it - if you have made major, substantial changes, you need to cite the work as one of your sources

What kind of copyrighted work is it?

• is it fact or fiction? Fiction is more protected than facts which are common, public knowledge
• how unique is the work? The more unique something is the more likely it is to receive the full benefit of copyright protection.

How much of the copyrighted work do you intend to use?

• the part used must be only a very small part of the total work
• the part used may not be the most important, unique piece of the whole work
• the part used must be only what is absolutely necessary for your project

What is the overall effect of your use on the economic well-being of the copyright owner

• will your use harm the work's potential sales, that is will someone encountering your project not need to purchase the original work
• will your use detract in any way from the original work

Copyright is a complex issue. However, if you always evaluate your use from the point of view of fairness to the creator you will find your way.