Stop! Don't Copy and Paste that 'Copyright' Facebook Message

ABC ^ | 11/26/12 | Joanna Stern

[raccoonradio]

"In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, 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!"

You may have seen that very message pop up -- perhaps time and time again -- in your Facebook feed. The message has been making the rounds on the social network. It encourages people to copy and paste the text and post it on their own walls if they want to be placed "under protection of copyright laws."

It's a frightful message and those worried that Facebook will own their photos or other media are posting it -- unaware that it is a hoax. Here's the truth: Facebook doesn't own your media and there is no such thing as the Berner Convention.

[raccoonradio]

hoax then (some months ago). hoax now. I'm sure it's all over the facebook pages of many of us. People jump to conclusions without checking things out. Last year the rumor was that Facebook would close on 3/15/11

[humblegunner]

Ping.

[molson209]

facebook ? I will Bing to find out you’re talking about

[humblegunner]

Good for you.

[shibumi]

"... and there is no such thing as the Berner Convention."

Tell that to these guys -

[DManA]

without checking things out.

The story is that you give rights to Facebook when you sign the 100 (exageration) page consent document you have to sign to use Facebook. I bet if you asked 10 different lawyers to "check it out" for you you'd get 10 different opinions.