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I tried to find similar question, but it seems it haven't been asked, the closest I found was this but it is more specific about screenshots, and I need a general advice.

If I write blog about my professional experience which is programming and consulting, how to use third-party materials properly, not infringing copyright?

I am interested primarily in Linkedin articles, but later I plan to write on another platforms, so more general advice is needed.

By copyrighted content I mean:

  • names of programming languages, algorithms, methodologies
  • names of software vendors
  • names of software products
  • images, charts and slides from their official presentations
  • trademark words and terms, e.g. Agile, Scrum
  • etc.

Should I add credits at the end of each blog article? Alike

all credits to images above belong to their owners

Or place them in footers, headers, or another way and maybe another word expression?

What would be the correct approach?

Suncatcher
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1 Answers1

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Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. These opinions are based on my personal experience and interpretation of sources such as legal guides and websites. This answer is intended to provide a helpful introduction.

For more information, I recommend consulting a DIY legal guide such as Getting Permission - Using & Licensing Copyright-Protected Materials Online & Off, published by the NOLO Press.

For definitive answers, you must consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction.

Some of the items you listed are trademarked, not copyrighted. These include product names, slogans, and logos.

For trademarks:

  • You can use trademarks to refer to the things they represent (the trademark holder's property) with no risk of an infringement lawsuit.

  • You cannot use the trademarked property in a way that confuses the public about which thing they represent. For example, if you created and marketed an operating system called Mack Ohh-Ess, you would probably receive a cease and desist letter pretty quickly.

  • You cannot modify the appearance of a trademark or logo.

  • You cannot use a trademark to imply a third-party endorsement of a product or to promote your product.

For copyrighted content, such as presentations, charts, and illustrations:

  • Always use citations to identify the source of the material.

  • Evaluate whether your usage of these materials qualifies as fair use.

The Legal departments of many organizations publish guidelines for reusing their logos, trademarks, and copyrighted content. To find these pages, google their site. For example:

  • `site:<website.com> logo guidelines
  • `site:<website.com> branding guidelines

Here are some examples of these published guidelines:

Some organizations also provide forms where you can request permission to use their content. For example: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3303539/ns/about_msnbccom/#.Xel1cG5FxaS

rolfedh
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