Frequently Asked Questions
The evolution of copyright for digital media.

What is iCopyright for ©reators?

A personalized and interactive copyright notice (tag) and permissions management system. The ©reators system is comprised of three elements:

1) A unique copyright tag that can be added to creative works.

2) A permissions toolbar for users to obtain rights to use the content that is tagged and to learn about the creator.

3) A creators console for managing the permissions and licenses to offer, editing terms of use, and running reports on who has licensed the works and where they are being used.

What does it do?

For creators, it gives them a way to instantly grant permissions to people who want to use their works, while ensuring that they get credit for the works and do not lose their rights in the works. For people who get the works, it gives them a way to learn more about the creator and his or her other works; contact the creator, and to use the works freely or for a fee, depending upon the terms established by the creator.

Why do creators need it?

If content creators care enough about their works to add a copyright notice to them, then they should include the ©reator tag as part of their copyright notice, to empower their works and preserve their rights to the works. Experience shows that if permissions are not instantly available to users, they will cut, copy, paste and reuse the work without permission. When that happens, creators don't get attribution, don't get compensated, and lose control of their works and their copyrights. A ©reators tag will help prevent a work from becoming an orphan work.

How does it work?

The creator creates a unique tag - usually his or her name or company name - then adds the tag to the works in the same way that the traditional copyright notice is added. The tag is a URL and points to the creator’s permissions toolbar, which functions as the creator's "copyright home page". Creators also get a “Creators Console” for setting up their profile, setting up what kinds of permissions they want to allow, establishing their terms of use for their works, running reports on where and how their content is being used, and performing other functions related to being a creator and owner of copyrighted content.

Why should content creators get a ©reator tag ASAP?

Each creator can only register one tag with the iCopyright ©reator system. That tag represents the creator as a legal entity that holds the rights to the works that carry the tag. Creator tags are like website domain names, each one is unique and points to a specific URL. It's smart to secure a copyright tag that is easy to remember and reflects the name of the creator, or an abbreviated form thereof. With millions of content creators and many people with the same name, it's advisable to snag a tag before someone else registers it.

What types of creators is the system designed for?

Anyone who creates literary works, visual art works, performing art works, and sound recordings. This would include bloggers, writers, journalists, authors, screen play writers, teachers, students, website owners, photographers, broadcasters, and musicians. If the content qualifies as a copyrighted work, it can be tagged with iCopyright for Creators. If one currently uses the traditional copyright symbol and notice, they would benefit from adding the ©reator symbol and tag.

Does a creator need multiple accounts if he or she creates different types of content, such as articles, music and photographs?

No, one account and one ©reator tag is all that is needed for all of the creator’s works.

What kinds of rights and permissions can a creator offer users via their ©reators tag?

There are two "free use" permissions and two "purchase license" options. The two free use permissions are "Reproduce for Non-Commercial Use" and "Create Derivative Works for Non-Commercial" use. The two purchase license options are "Reproduce for Commercial Use" and "Create Derivative Works for Commercial Use." These are the most common types of copyright permissions requests. Creators can edit these in their console.

How do creators get paid for licenses initiated through this system and what percentage does iCopyright take?

Creators who offer licenses for a fee can enable the licensees to pay by check, money order, or PayPal. Payments are arranged between the creator and the user, iCopyright does not take a percentage.

Besides offering permissions and licenses, what other information or services can creators offer through their tag?

Creators can allow users to contact them to discuss or negotiate rights. They can also direct users to their blog or website and can invite users to subscribe to their newsletter, RSS feed, or other publication.

Can creators customize the types of permissions, licenses and services they wish to offer and create new ones?

Yes and no. The ©reator Console allows for certain customizations, including setting the terms for how tagged content may be reproduced. iCopyright will be expanding the list of permissions, licenses and services creators can offer, after getting their feedback during the beta release.

Can creators establish their own terms of use for permissions and licenses to their works?

Yes. Default terms of use are provided in the Creator Console. Creators can edit these terms, or upload new ones, for display to users who see the works. Users must accept the Creators terms of use to obtain a free permission or purchase a license.

Do users have to register and/or provide personal data in order to obtain permissions and licenses from creators using this service?

No. Certain information may be provided by users voluntarily. The system does not erect barriers to the free-flow of content. It encourages users to use and share the creator's content, but to give the creator attribution and to pay the creator for certain reuses if specified by the creator.

What obligations do users have when obtaining rights and permissions from creators through the system?

That depends upon the "terms of use" set up by each creator. Some users may be required to pay the creator to reproduce the works. Users agree to abide by the creator's terms of use in order to obtain the rights specified. At a minimum, users are obligated to add the creator's attribution tag to their reproduction, so that people who see the reproduction can verify that the user obtained a lawful license and can find the creator's copyright home page.

What makes iCopyright for ©reators different than Creative Commons and other copyright permissions systems?

iCopyright for ©reators is a more robust and customizable solution. Some of the features offered by ©reators that are not offered by other systems include:

• Creators get a personalized and interactive copyright notice to add to all of their works.
• Creators can grant free permissions under customized terms.
• Creators can sell licenses and revoke licenses.
• Creators can promote themselves and their other works.
• When a creator's works are copied, emailed, posted, or otherwise shared between users, the creator’s unique tag goes with the reuses and links back to the creator’s copyright home page.
• People who get the creator’s works from others can verify that the sender has a valid license from the creator and is not using the works without permission.
• The iCopyright for Creators system tracks where the creator’s works are being used and who is using them.
• Creators can place their tagged works on repository with iCopyright, to be marketed and sold to users and publishers via Clip&Copy.  (V2)

Why did iCopyright develop this service?

iCopyright wanted to do for individual creators what it has done for publishers. Individual rightsholders are just as important to the digital content economy as the large publishers of newspapers and magazines. Until recently, the company did not have an economic model to justify the large investment necessary to adapt the technology to meet the needs of individual creators. The success of iCopyright for Publishers has partly underwritten the development of iCopyright for Creators.

Will the ©reators system work for corporate entities and educational institutions, or is it limited to individual creators?

There is nothing preventing companies, non-profits and educational institutions from registering a tag and applying it to the content they own. iCopyright has plans to introduce enterprise-specific copyright services.

How much does it cost?

iCopyright for Creators is free of charge. A free account gives each creator a unique copyright tag to add to his or her works, a permissions toolbar (copyright homepage), and a creator console for managing their permissions and licenses.

How does iCopyright support the ©reators service?

The free service is ad-supported. There will also be a variety of specialized services available to creators on an ala-carte basis, such as the ability to register their works with the Copyright Office and market their works to newspaper and magazine publishers world-wide.

Got more questions? Send us an email.

Creator Spotlight

     Beta Release