Internet and Copyright Myths and Confusions

Some myths about copyright, and particularly about copyright of resources found on the Internet, are very hard to stamp out.

Below are some truths about copyright and about Internet

INTERNET DOES NOT CHANGE THE COPYRIGHT LAWS!!
Listserv, submissions, emails, student messages jotted down, etc. are copyrighted
All webpages are copyrighted, yours and theirs. But remember to register your website immediately if you care whether someone copies it; and then re-register if you add significant content
Giving out URLs is not a problem and linking to any legal website is legal
Linking to an infringing site is illegal - if you know or suspect that the materials on the website are there illegally, do not link
Giving credit means you're not a plagiarist, but you may still be an infringer if you don't apply copyright and fair use principles correctly
Altering or modifying a work infringes the copyright owner's right to derivative works
"If I don't charge for it, it's not a violation" – Wrong!