UPDATE: (9/28/15) This is still a hoax. Please stop copy/pasting it to your status! And there's no Facebook gold privacy status either!

Neither Channels 11 or 13(?!) have been talking about this, and while you may think 'better safe than sorry,' in this instance, it seems only the latter applies!


facebook copyright protection screenshot
Have you seen a post on Facebook like this? The Facebook Copyright Hoax is back...(Laurie Cataldo)
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Have you or someone you know posted something about not giving Facebook permission to use your pictures, information, etc. in an effort to 'copyright' your stuff?

Unfortunately, your post is meaningless in the legal world.

Back in November 2012, similar posts went viral. For some reason, they are back again...reading something like this:

As of January 3rd, 2015 at 10:12 am, Central Standard time, I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, or posts, both past and future. By this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. You MUST copy and paste. I will post an additional copy in comments as well so it's easier to copy n paste!"

Grammatical errors aside (let's not even talk about the fact that the Rome Statute only applies to international war crimes and genocide...), these status updates don't negate the terms and conditions you agree to when you sign up to use Facebook...which means we all (for better or worse) give Facebook permission to use our information, pictures, posts, etc. depending on your privacy settings.

They explain this under the "Sharing Your Content and Information" section of their legal terms, which states:

For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.'

You can read the legal terms in their entirety HERE.

The only way to truly retain your legal rights to your stuff? Don't put it on Facebook. Simple as that. Since that isn't practical for most of us, adjust your privacy settings to your comfort level, and be done with it.

Happy Facebooking!

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