Copyright Do’s and Don’ts
🖋Copyright isn’t a cage — but it can be a collar.
In a world where everyone is remixing, reposting, and rebranding, it’s easy to get tangled in the wires of what’s fair, what’s legal, and what’s downright stolen. Copyright law was built to protect creators, not punish curiosity — but understanding it requires more than a quick Google and a prayer.
So here we are, surfing the spectrum of the legal and the lyrical, trying to decode the rules without dulling the magic. This post lays out the copyright do’s and don’ts, with a style as strange and sincere as the world it tries to protect.
✅ What You Can Do Under Copyright Law
Even in the tightest frameworks, the tide finds a way through.
Here’s what’s fair game:
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Use public domain works (anything published before 1927, or released intentionally)
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Claim fair use for commentary, parody, critique, or education — with limits
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Create derivative works with permission or significant transformation
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Photograph from public spaces (in most U.S. contexts)
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Make art inspired by facts, ideas, and history — they’re not copyrighted
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Use works licensed under Creative Commons or royalty-free terms
❌ What You Shouldn’t Do (Unless You Like Lawyers)
Don’t confuse the open sea with lawless waters.
Avoid:
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Copying copyrighted work directly without permission
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Using celebrity names/images for profit
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Reposting music, art, or photos without attribution or license
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Claiming fair use for commercial gain without critique or transformation
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Assuming AI-generated art is free to use — the source data may still be protected
⚠️ Fair use is a legal defense, not a license.
🎯 What Is Fair Use?
Fair use is the wave you ride — but ride it wrong, and it crashes.
Courts consider:
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The purpose (Is it transformative?)
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The nature of the original work
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The amount taken (Did you use the “heart” of it?)
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The effect on the market
Safe uses include:
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Reviews
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Criticism
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Teaching
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Satire
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Memes (sometimes...)
🕊️ What’s Free Forever?
The public domain is the commons of creativity — where Beethoven and Bechamel sit side by side.
What’s in it:
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Works published before 1927
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U.S. government images and text
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Facts, recipes, and unoriginal ideas
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WWI & WWII posters, depending on origin
🔗 Browse public domain art at the Library of Congress »
📝 Do I Need to Register My Work?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Yes — if you want to sue someone.
In the U.S., copyright is automatic at creation.
But registration:
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Strengthens your case
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Enables statutory damages
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Timestamp-protects your work
🧾 Pro tip: Register anything you plan to sell, license, or defend.
🎬 Conclusion
Copyright law isn’t a cage — it’s a fence you can paint.
What matters is how you remix the world.
You don’t need to be a lawyer.
But you do need to know where the line is,
before you scribble your name across it.
Paint with bold colors.
Credit your sources.
Make something new — and let it sing in your voice.
❓ FAQ
Can I use public domain art on t-shirts?
Yes, as long as the source is truly public domain (e.g., U.S. archives, pre-1927 works).
Can I mention a famous person in a product title?
No — that implies endorsement and can violate publicity rights.
🌀 Download Original Post
Author: Dylan Carpowich
