Due to the imposition of martial law on the territory of Ukraine, many unscrupulous citizens took advantage of this situation in the country and decided that once martial law restricts some rights and freedoms of human and citizen, it is possible to violate copyright law.
Unfortunately, we have to upset you: liability for copyright infringement still exists, even in wartime.
Below are some examples of the misuse of copyright objects by our citizens, as well as how to properly use the following objects without violation:
Situation I: redrawing photos
Wrong procedure:
I found a photo on the Internet -> drew it separately -> sell under my own “authorship” -> receive funds
The correct procedure:
Found a photo on the Internet -> found the author of the photo -> write to the author with a proposal to grant a license to use the photo and provide information on future use of the photo -> obtain a license on mutually beneficial terms -> redraw the photo -> receive funds.
Situation II: I copy a photo of a famous person and use it as memes, prints, etc.
Wrong procedure:
Find a photo -> download to a computer -> print on another thing, create a meme -> receive money
The correct procedure:
Find a photo -> write to the person depicted in such a photo, with a proposal to give permission to use his/her image and provide information on future use -> sign an agreement on mutually beneficial terms -> start using such a photo and earn money
Situation III: I take completely or fragmentarily someone else’s videos and create my own on their basis, or just paste in my own video
Wrong procedure:
Found video -> uploaded video -> pasted into my video -> monetize video
The correct procedure:
Found a video -> wrote to the owner of the channel or author of the video -> offered cooperation and requested a license to use the video -> provided information about your own future video -> received a license on mutually beneficial terms -> started using such content in your video -> monetize your own video
Situation IV: I make prints on clothes, cups, etc. from other people’s professional photos without permission
Wrong procedure:
Find a photo -> download to a computer -> print on another thing -> get money for a sale
The correct procedure:
Find a photo -> write to the author with a proposal for cooperation -> tell about the details of your own project -> conclude an agreement on mutually beneficial terms -> print on things and sell them
Situation V: I record remixes of all famous songs
Wrong procedure:
Choose a song -> download minus (optional, sometimes play your own on musical instruments) -> create a remix -> post on YouTube, etc. -> monetize
The correct procedure:
Choose a song -> write to the author -> request a license to use such a song (сlearing of rights to content) -> tell about the details of your own project, provide already recorded audio files -> get a license on mutually beneficial terms -> make your own cover and post on YouTube, etc. -> monetize
You can find out more about all types of licenses by following the link to our blog: Intellectual Property Agreements
You can learn more about the cleaning of rights at the link: Clearing the rights to content
Be a bona fide citizen and abide by the law and then you will not receive any claims or complaints from the authors and/or their representatives.
In addition, our company’s lawyers will be happy to advise you on obtaining permits, help you find the right holders and agree with such right holders on obtaining any permit on the most pleasant terms for you.
