Here’s a chance to find out how much you really know about the rules of copyright and the risks of Illegal copies.
Just click True or False to learn the answers.
1. U.S. copyright laws apply only to content protected by a copyright symbol.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. In the U.S., original creative works are protected by copyright law from the moment they are put in a tangible form. In fact, even your own text messages are protected by copyright. For more information, visit The İRight Stuff on the B4UCopy website.
CORRECT! In the U.S., original creative works are protected by copyright law from the moment they are put in a tangible form. In fact, even your own text messages are protected by copyright. For more information, visit The İRight Stuff on the B4UCopy website.
2. U.S. copyright laws apply only to content on websites located in the United States.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. U.S. copyright protection applies to the work, not to its location. If you download an illegal copy of a copyrighted work from a foreign-based website, you are violating the law. In addition, treaties have extended the protection of U.S. copyright law to works produced around the world. You can be in violation of the law even when you make copies of foreign-produced works found on foreign-based websites.
CORRECT! U.S. copyright protection applies to the work, not to its location. If you download an illegal copy of a copyrighted work from a foreign-based website, you are violating the law. In addition, treaties have extended the protection of U.S. copyright law to works produced around the world. You can be in violation of the law even when you make copies of foreign-produced works found on foreign-based websites.
3. It’s OK to copy content from the Internet for schoolwork.
4. It’s OK to copy content from the Internet for your own personal use.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. It is illegal to copy any part of a copyrighted work without the copyright holder’s permission, whether you plan to keep the copy to yourself or distribute it to others. The only exception is “fair use,” which permits copying a limited amount of a copyrighted work without the copyright holder’s permission for purposes such as scholarship and research. U.S. copyright law also contains specific provisions regarding archival copies of copyrighted works that you have purchased and temporary copies of copyrighted works that have been broadcast.
CORRECT! It is illegal to copy any part of a copyrighted work without the copyright holder’s permission, whether you plan to keep the copy to yourself or distribute it to others. The only exception is “fair use,” which permits copying a limited amount of a copyrighted work without the copyright holder’s permission for purposes such as scholarship and research. U.S. copyright law also contains specific provisions regarding archival copies of copyrighted works that you have purchased and temporary copies of copyrighted works that have been broadcast.
5. It’s OK to trade copies of music, films, and software through a file-sharing network.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. While those who use file-sharing networks might claim they are "trading," in fact they are distributing illegal copies of the computer software, music, movies, and games that the upload and download through the network.
CORRECT! While those who use file-sharing networks might claim they are "trading," in fact they are distributing illegal copies of the computer software, music, movies, and games that the upload and download through the network.
6. It’s OK to install borrowed software on your computer or load borrowed music onto your MP3 player.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. When you install borrowed software, your computer puts a copy of that software on your hard drive-an illegal copy, unless the user's license that came with the software gives you permission from the copyright holder to install the software on multiple computers in this way. Likewise, when you load a borrowed music recording on your MP3 player, you are making a copy of that recording without the copyright holder's permission, and that's against the law.
CORRECT! When you install borrowed software, your computer puts a copy of that software on your hard drive-an illegal copy, unless the user's license that came with the software gives you permission from the copyright holder to install the software on multiple computers in this way. Likewise, when you load a borrowed music recording on your MP3 player, you are making a copy of that recording without the copyright holder's permission, and that's against the law.
7. It’s OK to make a back-up copy of software that you have purchased.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. U.S. copyright law permits computer software purchasers to make a single back-up copy of any piece of software they purchase for archival purposes only. The back-up copy cannot be shared with others or even installed on another computer by the purchaser himself. This provision goes back to the days when software was produced on floppy discs, which were easily damaged and often needed back-up. In most cases, you will find this permission to make a back-up copy spelled out in the user's license that comes with almost every piece of computer software.
CORRECT! U.S. copyright law permits computer software purchasers to make a single back-up copy of any piece of software they purchase for archival purposes only. The back-up copy cannot be shared with others or even installed on another computer by the purchaser himself. This provision goes back to the days when software was produced on floppy discs, which were easily damaged and often needed back-up. In most cases, you will find this permission to make a back-up copy spelled out in the user's license that comes with almost every piece of computer software.
8. It’s OK to burn copies of music and software CDs for your friends.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. U.S. copyright law prohibits any copying of a copyrighted work without the copyright holder's permission, even copies you give away to friends. The law makes no provision for good intentions, generosity, or even the desire to win new fans for your favorite recording artists or software developers. If you make a copy without permission, you are breaking the law.
CORRECT! U.S. copyright law prohibits any copying of a copyrighted work without the copyright holder's permission, even copies you give away to friends. The law makes no provision for good intentions, generosity, or even the desire to win new fans for your favorite recording artists or software developers. If you make a copy without permission, you are breaking the law.
9. Illegally copied software can infect your computer with a virus, even if you have anti-virus protection.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. Too often a virus hidden in a piece of pirated software will slip right by the anti-virus protection. In fact, according to computer repair shops, illegal copies downloaded through file-sharing networks are the leading source of viruses that require a costly computer repair. For more information, visit the Don’t Get Burned section of the B4UCopy website.
CORRECT! Too often a virus hidden in a piece of pirated software will slip right by the anti-virus protection. In fact, according to computer repair shops, illegal copies downloaded through file-sharing networks are the leading source of viruses that require a costly computer repair. For more information, visit the Don’t Get Burned section of the B4UCopy website.
10. Illegally copied software can let strangers steal personal information from your computer.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. Pirated software can often conceal "spyware," a type of computer virus designed to gather information from your computer and send it to a "spymaster," who sells the information to others. You could lose your passwords, financial records, Social Security Number, and eventually your identity. In addition, file-sharing software often has a built-in "spyware" component designed to gather information about network members that can be sold for marketing purposes. And simply by linking your computer to a file-sharing network, you might give everyone else on the network direct access to your hard drive, opening the door to online snoops and scoundrels. In fact, 55 percent of college downloaders report that they have experienced spyware and related virus problems.* For more information, visit the Don’t Get Burned section of the B4UCopy website.
*IPSOS Public Affairs survey conducted for the Business Software Alliance, May 2007.
CORRECT! Pirated software can often conceal "spyware," a type of computer virus designed to gather information from your computer and send it to a "spymaster," who sells the information to others. You could lose your passwords, financial records, Social Security Number, and eventually your identity. In addition, file-sharing software often has a built-in "spyware" component designed to gather information about network members that can be sold for marketing purposes. And simply by linking your computer to a file-sharing network, you might give everyone else on the network direct access to your hard drive, opening the door to online snoops and scoundrels. In fact, 55 percent of college downloaders report that they have experienced spyware and related virus problems.* For more information, visit the Don’t Get Burned section of the B4UCopy website.
*IPSOS Public Affairs survey conducted for the Business Software Alliance, May 2007.
11. Illegally copied software can be traced automatically by law enforcement authorities as soon as you install it.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. If this were true, perhaps software piracy would not be the multi-billion dollar problem it is today. You should be aware, however, that law enforcement authorities and anti-piracy agents can trace your activity on file-sharing networks and identify the IP address of almost anyone who is uploading and downloading illegal copies. And once they have your computer's IP address, it's only a matter of time before they have you.
CORRECT! If this were true, perhaps software piracy would not be the multi-billion dollar problem it is today. You should be aware, however, that law enforcement authorities and anti-piracy agents can trace your activity on file-sharing networks and identify the IP address of almost anyone who is uploading and downloading illegal copies. And once they have your computer's IP address, it's only a matter of time before they have you.
12. It’s against the law to buy or sell illegally copied software, but it’s not against the law to have it on your computer.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. U.S. copyright law applies not only to those who make illegal copies but also to those who take them, whether or not any money changes hands. In addition, the user's license that comes with almost every piece of computer software makes it very clear that no one has permission to use an illegal copy of the software. If you have an illegal copy on your computer, no matter how it got there, you are required to delete it or risk potential legal action.
CORRECT! U.S. copyright law applies not only to those who make illegal copies but also to those who take them, whether or not any money changes hands. In addition, the user's license that comes with almost every piece of computer software makes it very clear that no one has permission to use an illegal copy of the software. If you have an illegal copy on your computer, no matter how it got there, you are required to delete it or risk potential legal action.
13. It’s against the law to operate most kinds of software without a license.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. Almost every piece of computer software comes with a user's license that spells out who may use the software and sets specific conditions for its use. If you do not meet the terms of this license, you are using the software illegally. In fact, you will usually find such licenses attached even to shareware, freeware, and open-source software. They are a basic tool for protecting the intellectual property rights of all software developers.
CORRECT! Almost every piece of computer software comes with a user's license that spells out who may use the software and sets specific conditions for its use. If you do not meet the terms of this license, you are using the software illegally. In fact, you will usually find such licenses attached even to shareware, freeware, and open-source software. They are a basic tool for protecting the intellectual property rights of all software developers.
14. It’s against the law to send copies of copyrighted songs and pictures that you find on the Internet by email.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. When you attach a file to an email message, you are making a copy of that file and distributing it to others. If the file is a copyrighted work, like a music recording or photo, your attachment is an illegal copy, unless you have the copyright holder's permission. Many websites do permit visitors to make personal use of their copyrighted content in this way. Many other sites, however, maintain control over their content through "Email a Friend" links that make sure any copies are produced and distributed by the site itself. Check the "Terms of Use" provisions, usually available through a link at the bottom of each webpage, to learn the policy on your favorite websites.
CORRECT! When you attach a file to an email message, you are making a copy of that file and distributing it to others. If the file is a copyrighted work, like a music recording or photo, your attachment is an illegal copy, unless you have the copyright holder's permission. Many websites do permit visitors to make personal use of their copyrighted content in this way. Many other sites, however, maintain control over their content through "Email a Friend" links that make sure any copies are produced and distributed by the site itself. Check the "Terms of Use" provisions, usually available through a link at the bottom of each webpage, to learn the policy on your favorite websites.
15. It’s against the law to copy music, films, and software, but no one’s ever gone to jail for it.
TRUE
FALSE
SORRY. Copyright pirates have been sentenced to jail for distributing illegal copies of music recordings, motion pictures, and computer software, and illegal copies of video games, too. And the list of culprits sent to jail even includes college students who committed their crimes "just for fun." Check out the Don't Get Busted section of B4UCopy to learn more.
CORRECT! Copyright pirates have been sentenced to jail for distributing illegal copies of music recordings, motion pictures, and computer software, and illegal copies of video games, too. And the list of culprits sent to jail even includes college students who committed their crimes "just for fun." Check out the Don't Get Busted section of B4UCopy to learn more.
