Top 5 Copyright Misconceptions Top 5 Copyright Misconceptions Copyright is often misunderstood. Routine content exchanges made by employees may in fact be placing your organization at a greater risk of infringement. Here are some common misconceptions around information sharing in the workplace and guidelines for educating employees on the responsible use of content. Misconception 1: As long as I cite my source, I can use third-party content in my articles, reports and presentations. Reality: Citing a work does not eliminate the need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. Misconception 2: There are buttons on the article I am reading that enable me to share it on social media. Since they are encouraging people to share it, I can post it wherever I want. Reality: Even if content is posted on a website, it is protected by copyright law. If publishers encourage you to forward their content to others through a mechanism they provide, that does not mean you may use it any way you would like. Misconception 3: I have permission to use the whole article, but I’m only going to use a chart from it. Reality: Citing a work does not eliminate the need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. Misconception 4: It’s no big deal if I use content without permission. I won’t get in trouble. Reality: Copyright protection exists to encourage the development of new and creative works that spur innovation and can ultimately help drive your business. Failure to respect copyright infringes on the legal rights of the copyright holder, and could put you and your organization at risk. Misconception 5: I contacted the publishers to request permission to use their content, but they never got back to me. I assume this means they don’t care and it’s okay to use the material. Reality: When requesting copyright permission it is important to note that a lack of response from the copyright holder does not negate the need to obtain permission.
