Facebook "Legal Notice" Posts Are a Hoax
By: Amanda Ashley
Updated: November 26, 2012
"In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my
copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations,
graphics, comics, paintings, photos, and videos, etc. (as a result of
the Berner Convention). For any and all commercial use of the above my
written consent is required in every instance."
Maybe you've seen these posts in your feed - maybe you've posted it yourself. But the "legal notices" that purportedly ensure the social network can't use your stuff without permission are just a hoax. And an old one at that.
According to urban legend tracker Snopes.com, this same post made the rounds earlier this year.
And copying the post to your own page won't accomplish anything legally.
No, doing so won't accomplish anything legally speaking, and yes, it's a hoax -- an old one that already made the rounds earlier this year according to urban legend tracker Snopes.com.
Here's a full look at the lengthy "legal" post:
"In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, graphics, comics, paintings, photos, and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For any and all commercial use of the above my written consent is required in every instance.
"(Those reading this may copy and paste this text on their Facebook walls. This will place them under protection of copyright laws. By the present communiqu, I hereby notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents, and/or any staff under Facebook's direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punishable by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).
"Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, then you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be allowing tacitly the use of elements such as your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates"
But the truth is your profile content is protected only by the privacy policies outlined by Facebook - and no legal jargon or declarations of privacy your post to your page will override those policies.
Facebook has weighed in on this issue, saying, in part, that you own what on your profile:
"There is a rumor circulating that Facebook is making a change related to ownership of users' information or the content they post to the site. This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been."
So if you don't like Facebook privacy policies, it seems you've still got just the two choices you always had: lobby the company for a change - or quit the site.
Maybe you've seen these posts in your feed - maybe you've posted it yourself. But the "legal notices" that purportedly ensure the social network can't use your stuff without permission are just a hoax. And an old one at that.
According to urban legend tracker Snopes.com, this same post made the rounds earlier this year.
And copying the post to your own page won't accomplish anything legally.
No, doing so won't accomplish anything legally speaking, and yes, it's a hoax -- an old one that already made the rounds earlier this year according to urban legend tracker Snopes.com.
Here's a full look at the lengthy "legal" post:
"In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, graphics, comics, paintings, photos, and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For any and all commercial use of the above my written consent is required in every instance.
"(Those reading this may copy and paste this text on their Facebook walls. This will place them under protection of copyright laws. By the present communiqu, I hereby notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents, and/or any staff under Facebook's direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punishable by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).
"Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, then you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be allowing tacitly the use of elements such as your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates"
But the truth is your profile content is protected only by the privacy policies outlined by Facebook - and no legal jargon or declarations of privacy your post to your page will override those policies.
Facebook has weighed in on this issue, saying, in part, that you own what on your profile:
"There is a rumor circulating that Facebook is making a change related to ownership of users' information or the content they post to the site. This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been."
So if you don't like Facebook privacy policies, it seems you've still got just the two choices you always had: lobby the company for a change - or quit the site.
