copyrights (find)

Where Do I Find Copyright Rules on Websites?

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Today we have access to the Internet which has changed our whole world. Now instead of getting up and walking a mile to the mall, the mall comes to you! But like the mall, crowded with stores and people, the internet is a busy place. If you wanted something you saw in a store you wouldn't just take it, would you? When you see something on a website that you like, for example, an image of a shoe.

You know it's not right to take the image without asking for permission. But, where can you find out about the rules for asking for permission and other copyright information on a website?

When you look at a product you usually see the title or brand name first because of its BIG print. If you turn over the packaging, you usually see very small letters on the bottom of the package that tells you about the company that made it. A website is similar. You have to look for the small print on the bottom of the screen. Most websites now have the words "copyright" and the year the website was made on the bottom of the page. This word is often a link to a new page that gives you the rules that you have to follow. Other words that are links to new pages say:

"legal notice"

"privacy policy"

"terms and conditions"

"terms of use"

HOW DO I FIND THE PERSON TO ASK FOR PERMISSION?

1. Look on the bottom of the home page of the website for a line that says Copyright, 1999, 2000 or whatever year. That line may be a link to a whole new page on copyright information and how to ask permission. Sometimes they will include the e-mail address of the person who handles permission questions. They usually tell you a lot about the rules concerning the copying of their images or information.

2. If there is no link on the home page called “copyright”, look for the company information page. Sometimes the website is connected with another website that made the site. The person who created the site is called a Webmaster.

3. Find the links to different departments. You can e-mail someone in the public or community relations department. Sometimes there is a person involved with education. Sometimes there is a page for the “press” or "media".

4. For Museums, find the person working on Rights and Reproductions. Museums' webmasters are also very helpful. They usually have an educational part of their website or a separate one made for children and teachers only.

5. For book and magazine publishers find the Rights and Permissions Department or look for the Reprints Department. An excellent example of this is on the New York Times® Website.

6. For government websites look for a children’s section or public relations. If you look on the links page you will find a second page listing children's pages on government websites.

7. You can e-mail the webmaster. For example, the Smithsonian Institute webmaster puts his/her e-mail with the copyright information at the bottom of the screen. It is linked to a new message. Sometimes they work for the company and sometimes they work for a web design group, but they will know who to send the e-mail to.

"Copyright © 2000 America Online, Inc. All rights reserved. Legal Notices Privacy Policy"	® If you would like to see an e-mail from AOL's Senior Intellectual Property Paralegal, kindly reply to our e-mail about her advice on this topic by clicking the AOL's trademark above. "The AOL logo is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Used with permission."
"© 2000 eToys, Inc. All rights reserved. - eToys® is a registered trademark of eToys, Inc. Read our Terms of Use."	If you would like to see an e-mail from e-Toys.com's representative's kind reply to our e-mail about her advice on this topic click the eToys.com's trademark above. "The eToys.com logo is a registered trademark of eToys.com in the United States and other countries. Used with permission."
Humongous ©2000 All rights reserved. Have any comments?	"Copyrighted images, text and/or materials are reproduced with the permission of Humongous Entertainment. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form."

Email Letters about Copyright Rules

THE COPYCAT'S TOUR	Computer #1 says: Where do you find copyright rules on a website again? Computer #2 says: The same place you find your underwear! At the bottom.
	When me and my family went to Washington D.C. last Spring we went and saw loads of memorials but my favorite was the Iwo Jima Memorial. Do you know why? Well I found out that the Iwo Jima Memorial is copyrighted!! Click the arrow facing right to go to the next page on the tour and you can find out more about the memorial!