Enforcing Rules for Content Transformation?

[madscimike]

I'm leading a team of artists and writers in creating a collection of content which will be opened to an online community of creators to edit, remix, and spin off of.
Currently, we have no formal IP protection. We want to be able to legally enforce a set of rules which limits how people are allowed to transform and republish the content.
Two Questions:
1. What would this set of rules be called? An End User Agreement? Terms of Use?
2. What legal protections would we need for the original content in order to enforce these rules for all content stemming from the original batch?

 

[quincy]

I'm leading a team of artists and writers in creating a collection of content which will be opened to an online community of creators to edit, remix, and spin off of.
Currently, we have no formal IP protection. We want to be able to legally enforce a set of rules which limits how people are allowed to transform and republish the content.
Two Questions:
1. What would this set of rules be called? An End User Agreement? Terms of Use?
2. What legal protections would we need for the original content in order to enforce these rules for all content stemming from the original batch?

Are you located in the US? Will your content contributors be limited to the US or will your online community have members from around the world?

 

[madscimike]

Are you located in the US? Will your content contributors be limited to the US or will your online community have members from around the world?

I'm located in the US but the content will be made available globally.

 

[madscimike]

Are you located in the US? Will your content contributors be limited to the US or will your online community have members from around the world?

We basically just want the following:
1. For people to credit whatever version came before the piece they're publishing.
2. That the content people create live exclusively on the site (so no publishing to DeviantArt or any other online community)
3. That people don't try to sell or profit off their contributions.

 

[quincy]

Thank you for answering my questions.

Although you should consult with an attorney in your area to discuss your business plans, you might benefit from reviewing the "Terms of Use" on the Creative Commons website, as it sounds as if you are looking to create a similar online site. Here is a link to Creative Commons Terms: https://creativecommons.org/terms/

Copyrights are automatic once a work is fixed in tangible form. It will be the creator of the work who is (with a few exceptions) the holder of the copyrights. There is nothing special a copyright holder has to do to be protected under copyright laws. No registration of the created work is necessary (although federal registration can provide a copyright holder with benefits not available to those with unregistered works).

The copyright holder is granted the exclusive right to reproduce their work, display or perform their work, distribute their work, and create derivatives of their work.

As holder of these rights, the copyright holder can do with the work what the copyright holder wants, including granting a license to use the work or transferring some or all of the exclusive rights in the work to another or others.

If the copyright holder wants to retain rights in their work but wants to give others permission to exercise some of these rights (which is what it sounds like you are looking to do), the copyright holder can fashion a limited license as desired.

If the copyright holder does not want to retain any rights in their work, they can also donate their work to the public domain, allowing everyone the free right to do what they want with the work.

Again, you will want to go over your plans with an attorney in your area, to help draft a Terms of Use for your site and to help draft licenses for your contributors to use.

Good luck.

 

[madscimike]

Thank you! This is massively helpful!

 

[quincy]

Thank you! This is massively helpful!

You're welcome, maddcimike. I appreciate the thanks.

Good luck with your venture.