• Web authors should always check to make sure their content does not infringe on other's copyright.black copyright symbol image by Angie Chauvin from Fotolia.com
  
  Information and images are easily copied between various websites, which could lead to copyright infringement. To avoid accidentally illegally infringing on the rights of someone else's work, Web authors should be familiar with what, and what does not, constitute copyright infringement.
  
  

Domain Names

• To use a domain name, users should first conduct a search to make sure the name isn't taken and using it does not infringe on someone else trademark. However, sometimes it's possible to contest a registered domain name based on superior rights. To avoid losing ownership of a domain name, owners should consider obtaining a trademark registration for protection.
  
  

Trademark

• Trademark infringement is when someone uses a mark of another that would confuse a third party. This confusion could lead to the public thinking the two products or services are somehow associated, affiliated, connected, approved, authorized or sponsored by the same owner. This is why Web authors should be particularly careful of using or linking to another party's logo or trademark. The best way to protect a trademark in the United States is through federal trademark registration. If the services under the trademark are sold internationally, Web authors may consider also registering in other countries.
  
  

Fair Use

• According to the US Copyright office, reproduction of certain works may be allowed and considered fair if it it used for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research. It still may be difficult to determine whether copying an image or text is fair use or an infringement, which means Web authors should make sure to ask permission before the use of it. Also, providing the source of copyrighted material is not a legal substitute for obtaining actual permission.
  
  

Images

• Web page authors should be careful not to copy the images of others, as they could be guilty of copyright infringement in doing so. The moment an original image is fixed on a hard drive for the first time, it is protected by copyright. The only time copying another website's image is legal is if the owner allows it, or if it falls under very limited exceptions according to the “fair use” policy under copyright law. To avoid infringing copyright, website authors should simply create their own images.
  
  

Text

• Text for a website falls under the same set of rules as for images. Web page authors should develop their own original text to avoid infringing copyright, but otherwise may copy other text if the author allows it or if it falls under “fair use” jurisdiction.
  
  

Other

• It is usually illegal to use Java Applets, JavaScripts and ActiveX scripts developed by other people without their permission. However, many people develop these scripts and applets for public use, so web authors should make sure to follow user requirements as listed by the original author.