Ethics in Graphic & Design

Ethics in Graphics & Design

EthicsA set of moral principles or values that govern behaviorPersonal decisionsPersonal morals & values

Unethical does not mean illegal

Copyright ActForm of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and indicates the exclusive right to sell or reproduce a work of artistic, literary, or musical formCovers published and unpublished worksMust obtain permission from owner of work to use a copyrighted materialCopyrights are usually only for a limited period of time

Common Copyright Symbols

Copyright ExpirationsCopyright Protection varies from case to case but depends mostly on when the work was createdIf created before 1978, the work is protected for 75 years from the date of publicationIf created after 1978, the work is protected for 50 years after the death of the owner if the owner is an individual or for 75 years from date of publication if the owner is an institution.

Copyright InfringementCopyright infringement is the instance of violating someones copyright by using their work without permission which infringes on the owners exclusive rights to reproduce, sell, or distribute their work.Punishment for copyright infringement usually includespaying the owner for damages and paying owner all profit made from using their work

Fair UseThere are some limitations to the Copyright Act outlined in the Constitution as Fair UseAllows someone to copy parts of or all of a persons copyrighted work without obtaining permission from owner of copyrightTo be considered Fair Use the person must be using the work to make comment or criticism of the work, to report the work as news, to use the work for teaching purposes, or for scholarship and research

Fair UseWhen determining if a work used is fair use, the following is considered:The purpose and character of your use of the copyrighted workThe nature of the copyrighted workThe amount and substantiality of the portion usedThe effect of the use of the copyrighted work on the potential market or value of the copyrighted work

The difference between fair use and infringement is not always clear and will vary from case to case

Public DomainPublic domain is a creative work that isnt protected by copyright and may be used freely by everyoneWorks are not protected by copyright if:Terms of the copyright have expiredThe author fails to satisfy formalities to perfect the copyrightThe work is of the U.S. GovernmentThe work is ordained to the public domain from creation

Public Domain ExampleOne example of a public domain search engine is the website Creative Commons.This website is a liaison to search for pictures, music, videos, and other forms of media that are under public domain. This website does not guarantee the results that it returns are not under copyright. You must verify by going to the link and making sure it is under public domain.Use the following link to explore Creative Commonshttp://search.creativecommons.org/

Be Cautious!Copyrights are a tricky subject and the rules are constantly changing. If you have any questions about a work that is not yours, always err on the side of caution!If you are not sure if something is copyright protected or not, it is always best to obtain permission from the creator or owner of the work.Always cite or give credit from where you obtained a work even when you are sure it is under public domain in order to avoid plagiarism.

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