If you are a writer, then you already know about copyright, but in this case I am talking about copyright in the adult coloring book world, since that is my blogging theme for this months.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, creates as much drama in coloring book groups than explaining copyright. People think that they can just print out any picture off the Internet and color it. Okay, initially it's excusable because I did not know anything about copyright until I became a writer, and I thought that all websites that offer free coloring pages were legit initially.
However, once you explain it to someone and they still still argue about it, it becomes a problem. My "favorite" excuse is:
"If you don't want it used/taken, don't put it out there."
- So, basically that means someone could just take your family photos off Facebook or whatever, make a web page, and claim your family as their own.
- Once you go park your car in a public parking area to go shopping, at work or etc., it's free for anyone to use.
- You decorate your driveway, curb, yard etc. with flower pots and other things, so they're free to take because they are on display.
- You leave your purse in a shopping cart while you turn around to get something, so it's free to take.
Of course I am using sarcasm here, but many people don't seem to make the connection.
If you don't want to spend any money on an adult coloring book, here are some legal ways for obtaining free coloring pages:
Pixabay
Artist websites and their Facebook pages (usually in the files section)
Publisher websites like Dover
Newsletters (sign up through artist or publisher)
How do you find artists or coloring book publishers who offer freebies?
1. If you have a coloring book, look at the info in the book to find their site and look for the sign-up options or a tab for images (not all sites offer freebies).
2. Join reputable coloring groups on Facebook (you'll see in their guidelines whether they enforce copyright) and ask, or look in their files sections. If someone who administrates a group tells you it's a free-for-all and to not worry about copyright, leave.
If you want the more official version of what is allowable in the coloring book world, here is a good link (not mine, we use this in the coloring group that I help admin).
4 comments:
I think the idea is that you can use it if you aren't taking economic profit. I'm not into adult colouring, but I prefer to pay for things because, usually, that means you get a quality work.
I like some of the comparisons you make. I've never gotten into the adult coloring thing, so I didn't realize this was an issue. It amazes me the things people don't think they should have to pay for.
Good reminder! I love coloring books and my family loves to buy them for me for my birthday and Christmas. That is my favorite way to get a book because then when I'm coloring it I think of the person who gave it to me!
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Nancy
Filled to Empty
Learn something new every day. Never thought it would be an issue when the pages online are supposedly free to use.
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