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Are methods copyright-protected?

by Bashty
4 replies
I will soon be working on my first own product in the personal development niche. Now I'm wondering how far the copyright goes.
I have of course gone through material of the great "masters" in my area and want to include some of the methods they mentioned in my product, because they simply work and help people to reach what they want to reach when buying my product.

I wonder if those methods might be protected by copyright, because I think he came up with those methods and he's at least in the top 3 of the people in personal development, if not top 1 and I don't want to get into trouble with him

Of course I would change them a bit to fit in my concept, but I'm still a bit worried about infringements so I thought I'd ask the clever people of the warriorforum to come to help!
#copyright #copyright infringement #copyrightprotected #methods
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    If you're worried, you could maybe use some of those methods in some free material you give away to get people interested in your main product - maybe some free videos or a free report. That way you are not profiting directly from using their content. You could also even mention the name of the person whose technique it is. People are not going to care as long as the information and techniques you are giving them work and help them with their problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andrey
    Read all the information you got. Then rewrite it or write your own. I think there will be no any problems with it unless you simply copy/paste.

    What about methods: I have seen how people change methods a bit and use them as their own.

    Example: T. Harv Ekers "Money Management" method - Jars. It is all about 5-6 six jars where you put your income. Different percentage for different type of jar.

    And I have seen another "Money Management" method - Envelopes. It was all about putting money into envelopes and keep them in the visible place.

    Both methods have the same inner sense. Only difference in the outer design of it.

    Good luck to you with your work!
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  • Profile picture of the author cindybidar
    From the US Copyright office:

    What does copyright protect?
    Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.
    Here's the page: U.S. Copyright Office - Copyright in General (FAQ)

    Of course, that's in the US. Not sure how it works in other countries.
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    • Profile picture of the author Bashty
      Originally Posted by cindybidar View Post

      From the US Copyright office:

      Here's the page: U.S. Copyright Office - Copyright in General (FAQ)

      Of course, that's in the US. Not sure how it works in other countries.
      That's great Cindy, thanks!
      I'm from Germany, but as most of the "big gurus" that I get mails from are American, I guess that the US Copyright would be the one counting. Also our Copyright system cannot be that much different.

      Also I would probably mention the one who came up with it, as he is truly a great person who anyone can benefit from and I'd want my people to get great value

      Of course I'm also not copy/pasting. That would not be too clever:rolleyes:

      Question answered, thanks guys and girls
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