2015 is finally here and all of your friends are sharing that fake legal quote that supposedly prevents Facebook from using their “copyrighted content.”
This copyright means exactly the same thing that it did in 2012, 2013, and 2014: absolutely nothing.
If you've been on Facebook in the last 24 to 48 hours, you have probably seen this, or one of the detailed variations, in someone's Facebook status:
In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, crafts, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention).
For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!
(Anyone reading this can copy this text and paste it on their Facebook Wall. This will place them under protection of copyright laws.)
By the present communiqué, I notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents and/or any staff under Facebook's direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punished by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).
Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile status updates…
Writers over at Gawker explained the status update line by line and here is basically what they said.
Your copyright is already automatically attached to any intellectual property you post to Facebook, as Facebook itself acknowledges in its “Help Center” and Statement of Rights and Responsibilities: “[Y]ou retain the copyright to your content. When you upload your content, you grant us a license to use and display that content.”
You've already agreed to allow Facebook to use your intellectual property in connection with Facebook
“Open capital entity” is not… a real thing; Facebook having publicly traded stock doesn't affect its copyright or privacy guidelines; and, as we've said, you are already, explicitly, allowing the use of your intellectual property under a specific set of agreed-upon guidelines.
Do not copy and paste it. What you should do is read Facebook's Terms of Service, Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities and their “Help Center” which explains exactly what they plan to do with all of your photos and information.
Remember: At the end of the day if you are not paying for a product, you ARE the product.
If you are not local and/or do not fit the description, do not apply
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Image Credit: JuliusKielaitis / Shutterstock.com
