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"Copyright Fair Usage" on sharing copywriting courses / seminar notes (non-profit)

by RRMarketing
14 replies
Hi!

My name is Razvan and I'm studying copywriting about ... every day.

Not here to brag about this thought.

Instead, I've noticed that I've gathered tons of notes.

I have 14 courses's notes in digital form and 5 in written form.

And I want to share the notes, for free, non-profit.

However, I don't know if this falls under the "fair use" copyright agreement.

I know derivative works are under fair use. For example, if I write a blog post about a topic covered in a seminar and I don't make it very specific, it's legal for non-profit and profit use.

But what about my actual notes? For example, I've been to a copywriting seminar and I've took 14 pages of notes into my own words.

Can I share them and not break the copyright of the original owner?

Also, what is the legal status of swipe files? Can I build a free website around swipe files and if so, all of them or just before a certain year?

Thanks,
Razvan
#copyright fair usage #copywriting #courses #nonprofit #notes #seminar #sharing
  • Profile picture of the author sanjaypande
    All courses that you took contain intellectual property of the creators which prohibits you from sharing in any way unless you have explicit written permission from the copyright holder - usually the creator of the product.

    Derivative works are also usually prevented.

    On the legal aspect, you are walking a fine line even on the notes. You may have to check with the product owner if you are permitted to share.

    In small amounts, you can quote people and give credit to them and get away with it, but even putting their strategies in your words could cause trouble.

    Swipe files are used for inspiration. Use them to copy headline ideas (not verbatim), copy structure and intended message and audience interaction.

    Using even just a headline verbatim is a violation of copyright.

    If you want to build a website around swipe files, make sure that you have permission to distribute and/or sell their (the copyright holders) property.

    You may be able to license the materials you want to use.

    "Fair Use" only applies to personal use like making copies of the materials for a backup.

    Take Care,

    Sanjay
    Signature

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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      Originally Posted by sanjaypande View Post

      All courses that you took contain intellectual property of the creators which prohibits you from sharing in any way unless you have explicit written permission from the copyright holder - usually the creator of the product.

      Derivative works are also usually prevented.

      On the legal aspect, you are walking a fine line even on the notes. You may have to check with the product owner if you are permitted to share.

      In small amounts, you can quote people and give credit to them and get away with it, but even putting their strategies in your words could cause trouble.

      Swipe files are used for inspiration. Use them to copy headline ideas (not verbatim), copy structure and intended message and audience interaction.

      Using even just a headline verbatim is a violation of copyright.

      If you want to build a website around swipe files, make sure that you have permission to distribute and/or sell their (the copyright holders) property.

      You may be able to license the materials you want to use.

      "Fair Use" only applies to personal use like making copies of the materials for a backup.

      Take Care,

      Sanjay
      You're wrong on at least 3 points that I know of. But since I'm not a lawyer, and since this isn't the place to discuss legal issues, that's all I'm going to say.

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
        When in doubt, it's always a good idea to ask for permission from the copyright holder rather than sparking legal problems and ill will.

        There may be some course teachers who don't mind this kind of sharing of notes and others who most definitely do. Why antagonize and alienate the latter and maybe even get them on the warpath against you?

        Marcia Yudkin
        Signature
        Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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        • Profile picture of the author PenTao
          Originally Posted by marciayudkin View Post

          When in doubt, it's always a good idea to ask for permission from the copyright holder rather than sparking legal problems and ill will.

          There may be some course teachers who don't mind this kind of sharing of notes and others who most definitely do. Why antagonize and alienate the latter and maybe even get them on the warpath against you?

          Marcia Yudkin
          Marcia has probably offered the best advice in this thread so far, but of course, WF is not the best place to obtain definitive legal advice.

          If you want to dig into it further, check out The Copyright Handbook by Stephen Fishman (a lawyer). You can get it on Amazon, or there's a good chance your local library has it if you live in a U.S. City of any size. Practical guidance in language us non-legal types can understand.

          Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Anthony Phillips
        If you think its illegal, it probably is.

        Anthony
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        • Profile picture of the author Toy Giraffe
          If it benefits anyone without loads of money, then yes, it's illegal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
    Every person has learned form someone else, whether they learned from courses, books or seminars.

    If there was copyright on the root of all information no one would be able to teach what they know, or write books, or anything like that.

    If you're taking your own notes and not writing everything word for word, it's your property.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alex Ceskavich
    Which multi-millionaire copywriter will actually look you up and sue you for sharing your notes for free?

    Maybe he can pay his lawyer bills in "But damnit! He stole from me!"

    - Alex
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  • Profile picture of the author RRMarketing
    Thanks for the feedback.

    Take a look at books | Derek Sivers and tell me what you think.

    Thanks,
    Razvan
    Signature
    Personal Blog On Copywriting

    Contact me now: Razvan.Rogoz@Gmail.Com
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    • Profile picture of the author marciayudkin
      Which multi-millionaire copywriter will actually look you up and sue you for sharing your notes for free?
      They actually don't need to sue you to put a big dent in what you're up to.

      If you are posting your notes online and someone believes this is a copyright violation, they can file a DMCA notice and get their buddies who have also been ripped off to do so as well. I am not making this up, as I once found someone who had stolen my material, did a little bit of research and found two other marketers whose stuff was there too, and told the others, one of whom got angry enough to get the guy stopped.

      Marketers know each other, and as I said in my earlier post, some may mind what you are proposing enough to fight to keep their material exclusive.

      Marcia Yudkin
      Signature
      Check out Marcia Yudkin's No-Hype Marketing Academy for courses on copywriting, publicity, infomarketing, marketing plans, naming, and branding - not to mention the popular "Marketing for Introverts" course.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rezbi
      Originally Posted by RRMarketing View Post

      Thanks for the feedback.

      Take a look at books | Derek Sivers and tell me what you think.

      Thanks,
      Razvan
      He's giving credit to the original authors. That's not the same as plagiarism.
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      • Profile picture of the author robfrancis
        Originally Posted by Rezbi View Post

        He's giving credit to the original authors. That's not the same as plagiarism.
        Yes. I know. Maybe I wasn't clear enough in my earlier post.

        Originally Posted by RobFrancis

        I looked at the site you mentioned. He is blogging in his own words a summary of what he has read. If anything they encourage readers to go and buy the books rather than copying various authors works.
        I was trying to say that Derek Sivers is using his own words to describe the books he read (which is a good thing). I wasn't talking about plagiarism with regard to my comments about the site although I suppose on re-reading I am insinuating the lack of it.

        The plagiarism aspect was regarding giving away notes which are verbatim word-for-word from seminars or courses. You might get into some hot water there and my point (with the best of intentions) was simply to make sure your notes are original.

        Peace,
        Rob Francis
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  • Profile picture of the author robfrancis
    If you read books on copywriting, read articles on copywriting, visit websites on copywriting, attend seminars on copywriting, purchase copywriting courses and also practice copywriting then you are well within your rights to express "in your own words" how you think someone would go about achieving good results through copywriting. Plagiarism is not condoned.

    According to Wikipedia: Plagiarism is defined in dictionaries as the "wrongful appropriation," "close imitation," or "purloining and publication" of another author's "language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as one's own original work.

    The knowledge that you accrue over the years is also going to be skewed by your own bias and personal experiences (i.e. some methods may not have worked for you and you no longer use them). Basically, if you use this to your advantage and explain to readers what worked for you and why (or what didn't work and why) you are adding value and producing original content. Someone earlier mentioned giving credit to people that inspired a particular method or whose methods you adapted. I agree whole-heartedly with that.

    I looked at the site you mentioned. He is blogging in his own words a summary of what he has read. If anything they encourage readers to go and buy the books rather than copying various authors works.

    Hope this helps,
    Rob Francis
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