The ScrapBlog

Here are five basic things that EVERY scrapbooker should know about copyright:

#1–When you create an original scrapbook layout, card or other project (not from a sketch, scraplift or idea book) you AUTOMATICALLY own the copyright. No, you don’t have to add a copyright notice. No, you don’t have to register your layout design with the government. Tip: Adding a copyright notice or watermark image to your original designs is a good idea if you plan to share them online. It helps to remind everyone that your artwork is yours.

#2–In order for a work to be protected it must be original and created by the designer or artist. The work can be similar to existing works but not an exact copy. Chances are if you see a project in an online gallery, in an idea book or hanging in the store, that project has copyright protection. Tip: It is always better to assume that the project is protected and ask for permission to use the design than to assume it is just okay to use it.

#3–Since you own the copyright, only YOU can reproduce, distribute and adapt the design. Did you know that copying an image from the internet to your computer is considered “reproducing” the design and is violation of copyright protection laws? No, just because the image is posted on the internet doesn’t mean it is “fair use”. Tip: If you really want a copy of another person’s layout or project, just email and ask them…don’t assume it is okay because it is the same thing as stealing!

#4– Scraplifting is a term used to describe seeing ideas online, in idea books or at stores and making projects based on those ideas. The resulting layout can look a lot like the original or may end up being just loosely based on the original. This is not violating any copyright laws. Tip: These projects are in the stores, magazines, and galleries to give youinspiration for your own personal scrapbooking, but not to sell or profitfrom in any way.

#5–Some of the ways that scrapbookers and scrapbooking companies violate copyright protection laws (knowingly or unknowingly) are:

Making copies of patterns for friends to use.
Right-clicking or saving images from galleries to their computers.
Scanning printed design fabrics to print and use on layouts.
Using another’s words on their projects or in articles they write.
Using a protected font to create alphabet letters, stamps or other items to share and/or sell.

Remember to think about copyright laws the next time you are ready to create a new project, layout or article. Keep in mind that violating another person’s rights is not only illegal but also unethical. Always remember the Golden Rule…Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

Helpful links:
This link provides easy-to-understand copyright information for knitters, but also applies to other crafts, including scrapbooking.
http://www.girlfromauntie.com/copyright/index-lite.asp
This link is the be-all, end-all of copyright information! Be sure to read the question and answer sections!
www.nolo.com
About.com gives some great, helpful advice for copyright protection and some other links.
http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa032701a.htm

Copyright 2004 Antuanette Wheeler
A note for store owners, list owners, website owners or others: You may use this article on your website, store newsletter or any other media as long as you allow the article to be printed or show in its entirety and include any links that are within the article. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or ideas, feel free to contact me at antuanettescraps@aol.com. Thanks!

Scrap Books are becoming more and more popular and are much more in depth than the old family picture albums. One thing people worry about in a fire, flood or natural disaster is saving all this handed down entrusted collection books. Perhaps folks should be complimenting their paper albums with digital scrapbook type files and backing them up in multiple places. Recently in an online think tank discussion this was considered and one person stated; Why not back them up on a CD ROM.

Good idea and yet, consider that one other person in the group had backed up all their old day on Word Perfect 1.0, AmiPro 2.0 and some other old programs and had them all on floppy disks; the old kind? Indeed in a few years will we all be using CD ROMS or will these be replaced with yet another better suited storage device of the future period? And how will your grandchild read it or view it if there are no CD ROM or DVD Players in 50 years? Ah ha, good question; yet it makes sense to back up all this data, images and paper material in your scrapbooks just in case. And doing it digitally makes a lot of sense.

Ones and Zeroes will be around in the future, but most likely thinking way ahead into the future it is doubtful that CD ROMS will. Please consider all this in 2006 and your grandchildren will thank you, even if their kids never get a chance to meet you.

Have you ever considered interviewing your child and journaling from your child’s perspective instead of your perspective?

When we create scrapbooks we tend to see the photos through our adult eyes and write the words though our adult perspectives. However if you ask a child questions, you’ll get a whole new perspective.

Many times while putting photos in scrapbooks, one of my kids will share her memories of how that photo came to be. How wonderful to capture those words and add them to the scrapbook.

Children of all ages can be interviewed. Depending on the age of the child, different questions can be asked. For example, a young child might be asked “do you remember going to Disneyland?” and then listening for the child’s view on the trip. A child who is a bit older can be asked “what was your favorite ride?”

The interview process can be about a trip, a favorite recipe, school etc. We have created school days scrapbooks. Ask your child about their favorite teacher, their favorite topic, where they sat in the classroom and who they ate lunch with. As kids get older you can ask question such as “what did you admire about that teacher?”

Right now my daughter is in high school. She has tons of stories to share about each teacher, all of whom have very different personalities and bring something different to each of her classes. It’s fun to let her talk about class and jot down what she is telling me to add to her scrapbook. Even in high school, teachers are so flattered if the student says “can I get a photo standing next to you?”

Does your child have a favorite dinner? Take a few photos of them helping to prepare the meal. Copy recipes onto acid free paper and then let the child tell you why they like this certain food.

We have always had photos of friends. Ask questions. “What do you like about this person”? “How did you and this person meet?” “What are some of the things you and this person have in common?

My daughter has a friend who she has known since kindergarten. If you asked me how the girls know each other, I would tell you that they met in school. However if you ask my daughter how they met, she remember they were on the playground and it was the first day of school. She actually remembers the conversation they had that eventually led to them playing together and becoming friends. Her story of how they met is very different than mine.

Try a few pages or even an entire scrapbook of seeing things through your children’s eyes instead of yours.