Copyright on the Internet: how to protect yourself from plagiarism?

The Internet is a limitless space for creativity and sharing, but unfortunately it is also a platform for potential copyright infringement. Online plagiarism has become commonplace, and content creators need to be aware of the risks and ways to protect their work. How can you protect your texts, images, music and other creative products from illegal copying and use? In this article we will look at the specifics of copyright on the Internet, effective strategies for protecting yourself from plagiarism, and steps to take if your rights are infringed.

Section 1: Peculiarities of copyright on the Internet

The digital world blurs boundaries and creates new challenges for intellectual property protection. Do the usual copyright rules apply in the online space? How does the specifics of the Internet affect the protection of copyrighted content? In this section, we look at how copyright law functions on the Internet, the specifics of its application online, and the risks faced by online creators. Understanding these aspects is the first step to effectively protecting your creativity in the digital world.

Subsection 1.1: Does copyright apply on the Internet?

The unequivocal answer is yes, copyright applies on the Internet. Posting a work online, be it text, image, music or video, does not automatically waive copyright. Copyright protection extends to the digital sphere in the same way as to traditional forms of distribution of works. From the moment a work is created, the author automatically obtains copyright for it, regardless of whether it is officially registered or not.

What does this mean in practice?

• Author’s exclusive right: The author has the exclusive right to use his/her work in any way, including copying, publication, distribution, adaptation and translation, in both online and offline environments.
• Need for permission: Any use of a work posted on the Internet without the author’s permission is considered copyright infringement. This applies to copying text, using images on websites, reposting content on social media, etc.
• Protection against plagiarism: Copyright law protects works from plagiarism on the internet. Copying content without attribution or with unauthorised changes is a violation of the law.

Although copyright registration is not mandatory, it greatly simplifies the process of defending your rights in court. A registered copyright is conclusive proof of your authorship and facilitates the process of proving infringement.

Even if a work is freely available on the Internet, this does not entitle others to use it without the author’s permission. The principle of territoriality of copyright also applies to the Internet. That is, if a work is created in Ukraine, Ukrainian law protects it regardless of where it is posted online. Understanding these principles is important for all authors who publish their works on the Internet.

Sub-section 1.2: Risks of plagiarism online

The Internet, with its ease of copying and dissemination of information, poses significant risks of plagiarism to content creators. While the online environment offers great opportunities for publishing and promoting creativity, it also makes content vulnerable to unauthorised use.

The main risks of plagiarism on the Internet:

• Ease of copying: Copying text, images or videos from the internet is extremely easy. It only takes a few clicks to copy someone else’s content and put it on your own site.
• Fast distribution: Information on the Internet spreads lightning fast. Stolen content can appear on multiple sites in an instant, making it difficult to monitor and remove.
• Anonymity: The Internet offers a certain level of anonymity, making it difficult to identify copyright infringers. It can be difficult to find and prosecute an anonymous plagiarist.
• Illegal online libraries and resources: There are numerous websites specialising in the illegal distribution of copyrighted content. Such resources pose a serious threat to authors.
• Modification and reworking of content: Plagiarism can manifest itself not only in direct copying, but also in modification and reworking of other people’s content without the author’s permission.
• Commercial use of content: Stolen content can be used for commercial purposes, causing direct financial loss to the authors.

Examples of plagiarism on the internet:

• Copying articles from websites without attributing source and authorship.
• Using other people’s photos on your web pages without the permission of the photographer.
• Posting other people’s videos on YouTube without the author’s consent.
• Translating and publishing other people’s texts without attribution.

Understanding these risks is important for anyone who creates and publishes content online. Being conscious of copyright and using protection methods will help minimise the likelihood of plagiarism and preserve your creative rights.

Section 2: How do I protect my content from plagiarism?

Copyrightprotection online requires a comprehensive approach. There are various methods and tools that allow authors to effectively counter plagiarism and protect their creativity online. In this section, we look at both technical means and legal methods of protection, to help you maintain control of your content and prevent unauthorised use. From simple precautions to complex effective strategies, you will find here practical tips and advice on how to protect your copyright in the digital world. Learn how copyright registration and ongoing content monitoring can be your trusted allies in the fight against plagiarism.

Subsection 2.1: Technical defences

Technical defences offer a first level of defence against plagiarism on the Internet. Although they do not offer a 100 per cent guarantee, they can make it much more difficult to copy content and deter potential infringers. These methods are easy to use and can be effective, especially when combined with other protection strategies.

Here are some of the most common techniques:

• Watermarks : Adding watermarks to images and videos is an effective way to mark your content and identify it as your own. A watermark can be in the form of a logo, your name or a special symbol. Even if the content is copied, the watermark will remain visible, indicating the real author.
• Prevent copying text: On some sites, you can enable a feature that prevents you from copying text using standard keyboard shortcuts. This makes it difficult to copy articles and other text content. However, this method is not completely reliable as advanced users can bypass this prohibition.
• Image protection: Apart from watermarks, there are other ways to protect images, such as reducing distinction, using special plugins to block image downloads, and placing images as flash animations.
• Video Protection: Watermarks, special encodings, restricting access to videos with passwords and other technical means can be used to protect videos.
• Metadata: Embedding metadata in image, video and document files allows you to specify information about the author, copyright and terms of use. This is an important step to identify your content and protect your rights.
• Using specialised plugins and services: There are various plugins and online services that offer comprehensive solutions to protect content from plagiarism. They can automatically add watermarks, block copying, monitor the use of your content online and report instances of plagiarism.

Technical defences are an important step, but not a panacea. They can be bypassed by experienced infringers. It is therefore recommended that they are used in conjunction with legal defence methods to maximise the security of your content.

Subsection 2.2: Legal defences

If technical defences have proved ineffective and your content has still been copied without permission, it is time to turn to legal methods of protection. Copyright law provides authors with a number of tools to fight plagiarism and protect their rights.

Effective legal defencestrategies:

• DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act): If your content is hosted on a platform subject to the DMCA (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, Instagram), you can file a copyright infringement complaint . The platform is obligated to review your complaint and take action to remove the illegally posted content. This is a fast and effective way to fight plagiarism in the online environment.
• Contacting the hosting provider: If infringing content is posted on a website, you can contact the website’s hosting provider to demand that the illegal content be removed. Hosting providers usually respond to such requests and block access to the site or remove the infringing content.
• Legal action: In cases of serious copyright infringement where other methods have failed, you can take legal action to protect your rights. The court may order the infringer to remove the illegally posted content, pay compensation for damages and stop further infringements.
• Pre-trial settlement : Before going to court, it is recommended to try to resolve the conflict through pre-trial settlement. You can send an official complaint to the offender with a demand to remove the content and compensate for the damage caused. This often resolves the problem without lengthy and costly litigation.
• Notarisation: Although copyright registration is not mandatory, notarisation of authorship of a work can be useful evidence in court. The notary confirms that the work existed on a specific date and was created by a specific person.

The choice of aneffective strategy depends on the specific situation and the scale of the infringement. In some cases, contacting the platform or hosting provider may be sufficient, while in others you may need to go to court. A consultation with a lawyer specialising in copyright will help you determine the best course of action and protect your rights.

Subsection 2.3: Copyright Registration

Although copyright arises automatically from the creation of the work, copyright registration offers a number of advantages to the author, especially in cases of litigation. Copyright registration is an official confirmation of your authorship and fixes the date of creation of the work. This greatly simplifies the process of protecting your rights and proving the fact of infringement in court.

Benefits of registration:

• Simplified defence in court: A registered copyright is conclusive proof of your authorship. It removes the need for you to prove your authorship in court, saving you time and resources.
• Increased credibility: Registering your copyright demonstrates that you are serious about protecting your work and can deter potential infringers.
• Possibility of compensation: In case of copyright infringement, a registered author has a better chance of receiving compensation for damages.
• International protection: Copyright registration in Ukraine provides a certain level of protection in other countries that are parties to international copyright treaties.

How to register copyright?

In Ukraine, copyright registration as such is not mandatory, it arises automatically from the moment of creation of a work. However, the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (UKRNOIVI) registers copyright objects and issues certificates to authors. Although this is not a mandatory procedure, having such a certificate can be a strong proof of your authorship in case of disputes, simplifying the process of protecting your rights.

Is copyright registrationcompulsory ?

No, copyright registration is not compulsory. Copyright arises automatically from the moment the work is created. However, copyright registration makes it much easier to protect your rights and is recommended for all authors who wish to protect their work as much as possible.

Although copyright registration does not guarantee full protection against plagiarism, it is an important step in protecting your intellectual property and making it easier to enforce your rights in court. It provides you with legal advantages and increases your chances of success against infringers.

Subsection 2.4: Content Monitoring

Monitoring content on the Internet is an important part of protecting your copyright against plagiarism. Regular monitoring allows you to identify cases of illegal use of your content in time and take appropriate measures.

How to monitor content:

• Search engines: The easiest way is to use search engines such as Google. Type unique phrases from your texts or the titles of your works into a search to find sites where they can be posted without your permission. Consider Google’s image search function, which allows you to find copies of your images online.
• Specialised services: There are services designed specifically to monitor content and detect plagiarism. They automatically scan the internet for copies of your texts, images and videos. Some of these services are paid, but offer advanced features and detailed reports. Examples are Copyscape, Plagiarism Checker X, Grammarly.
• Social media: Regularly check social media for unauthorised use of your content. Most platforms have mechanisms to notify you of copyright infringement .
• Google Alerts: Set up Google Alerts for keywords related to your content. You will receive email notifications every time your content is featured on new web pages.

Monitoring Tips:

• Content monitoring should be regular. The more often you check, the faster you can detect plagiarism and take action.
• Use unique phrases and keywords from your texts to find copies.
• Keep screenshots and other evidence of plagiarism, which you may need in case you need to take legal action or contact your hosting provider.

Content monitoring is not a one-time action, but an ongoing process that requires time and effort. But it is an important investment in protecting your intellectual property and preserving your online reputation.

Section 3: What to do if your content is stolen?

The discovery of plagiarism is an unpleasant situation for any author. But it is important not to panic, but to act decisively and thoughtfully. In this section, we look at the steps you should take if your content has been stolen, from pre-court settlement to going to court. Knowing your rights and the right course of action will help you protect your intellectual property and get justice. Remember that there are different ways to solve the problem, and the choice of the best way depends on the specific situation.

Subsection 3.1: Pre-trial Settlement

Pre-trial settlement is the first step you should take if you discover that your content has been plagiarised. It is an attempt to resolve the conflict amicably, without going to court. Often , pre-trial settlement allows for a quick and effective resolution of the problem, saving both parties time and resources.

Pre-trial Settlement Procedure:

1. Gather evidence: First of all, gather evidence of plagiarism. Take screenshots of the pages where the stolen content was posted, save URLs, date and time of access. If possible, involve witnesses.
2. Identifying the infringer: Try to identify the person or organisation that has infringed your rights. This could be the owner of the website, the author of the publication, or the administrator of a social networking group.
3. Preparing a claim: Make a formal claim to the offender. In the claim, clearly state what content was copied, provide evidence of plagiarism, and state your demands (removal of content, compensation for damages, public apology, etc.). Specify the time period within which you expect a response.
4. Sending the claim : Send the claim to the infringer by registered letter with return receipt or by e-mail with proof of reading. This is important to have proof that the offender has received your claim.
5. Negotiation: If the offender has responded to your claim, be prepared to negotiate. Try to find a compromise solution that satisfies both parties.

Advantages of pre-trial settlement:

• Speed: Pre-trial settlements usually take less time than litigation.
• Cost savings: You avoid court fees and lawyer’s fees.
• Preserving your reputation: Pre-trial settlement allows you to resolve the conflict confidentially, without publicity.

If a pre-trial settlement fails, the next step is to go to court. However, attempting an amicable settlement is always the recommended first step in protecting your copyright.

Subsection 3.2: Going to court

If attempts at pre-trial settlement have been unsuccessful, and the infringer refuses to admit his guilt and fulfil your demands, the next step is to go to court. Litigation is a more complicated and time-consuming way to protect copyright, but it may be the only effective way to restore justice and receive compensation for the damage caused.

Procedure for going to court:

1. Consultation with a lawyer: First of all, contact a lawyer who specialises in copyright cases. The lawyer will help you assess the prospects of the case, prepare the necessary documents and represent your interests in court.
2. Preparation of a statement of claim : A statement of claim is an official document in which you state the essence of the case, cite evidence of plagiarism and formulate your claims against the offender. The statement of claim must be drawn up in accordance with the requirements of procedural law.
3. Submit the statement of claim and the attached documents to the court at the place of residence of the defendant or at the place where the offence was committed. Pay the court fee.
4. Trial: The court will hear your case, listen to the parties and examine the evidence. Based on the results of the hearing, the court will make a judgement.
5. Enforcement of the judgement : If the court finds that your rights have been violated, it will order the infringer to remove the unlawfully posted content, pay you compensation for damages and possibly stop further infringements.

What can a plaintiff demand in court?

• Removal of content: Require the infringer to remove the stolen content from all resources where it was posted.
• Compensation for material damages: Compensation for financial losses caused by plagiarism (e.g. lost profit from the sale of the work).
• Compensation for moral damages: Compensation for mental anguish and damage to reputation.
• Public apology: Require the offender to publicly apologise for the offence committed.

Going to court is a last resort, but sometimes it is the only way to protect your rights and get fair compensation. Remember that success in court depends on strong evidence and professional legal assistance.

Conclusion

Online copyright protection is an important task for every author who publishes their works online. Plagiarism online is unfortunately common, and authors should be prepared to protect their intellectual property. In this article, we have looked at the main risks of plagiarism on the Internet, as well as technical and legal methods to protect, which will help you maintain control over your content. From simple precautions such as adding watermarks to complex legal procedures such as going to court, there are various ways to combat plagiarism. It is important to remember that copyright operates the same way online as it does offline, and authors have the right to protect their works from unlawful use. Regular monitoring of content and timely response to cases of plagiarism will help you to preserve your rights and reputation in the online space. For more detailed information on copyright we recommend to refer to the article“Copyright: how to protect your works in Ukraine?“. Do not forget that the protection of your creativity is your responsibility.