The article addresses concerns raised by artists about Facebook’s policies regarding their content. It clarifies that users retain ownership of their intellectual property, including copyright, on Facebook. While the platform has a license to use the content, it does not own or sell the work without consent. The piece recommends watermarking, privacy settings, and copyright notices to protect art from misuse.
The piece discusses the confusion that arises when users hear about Facebook’s practices. A common concern has been the idea that Facebook or its parent company, Meta, can take ownership of or sell any content posted by users. However, the article clarifies that this is not accurate. Users still maintain ownership rights over their intellectual property, including copyright, on the platform. Facebook has a license to use the content within the platform, but this does not extend to selling or distributing the content outside of Facebook without the user’s agreement.
Experts emphasize that while Facebook has the right to use content within its ecosystem, such as displaying posts on the platform or using images in ads, this does not grant them ownership or the right to sell or give away the work. Users are encouraged to take steps to protect their content, such as watermarking their artwork. By adding a visible watermark, users can make it harder for others to use their work without permission. Additionally, configuring privacy settings to limit who can see posts is a crucial step in protecting creative content. Another method of protection is including a copyright notice in the posts, such as ‘© [Your Name], [Year]’, which is legally recognized and can alert others to the content’s protected status.