Read the following definition of intellectual property, and then read the article about the underlying issue of social media and intellectual property.

Intellectual property: "Knowledge, creative ideas, or expressions of human mind that have commercial value and are protectable under copyright, patent, servicemark, trademark, or trade secret laws from imitation, infringement, and dilution. Intellectual property includes brand names, discoveries, formulas, inventions, knowledge, registered designs, software, and works of artistic, literary, or musical nature. It is one of the most readily tradable properties in the digital marketplace." (Definition from www.businessdictionary.com)

Intellectual Property Hullabaloo: The Ethical Quagmire of Online Content Creation & Your Brand (Webpage)

Read the following definition and articles about plagiarism and copyright infringement.

Copyright: "Legal monopoly that protects published or unpublished original work (for the duration of its author's life plus 50 years) from unauthorized duplication without due credit and compensation. Copyright covers not only books but also advertisements, articles, graphic designs, labels, letters (including emails), lyrics, maps, musical compositions, product designs, etc. According to the major international intellectual-property protection treaties (Berne Convention, Universal Copyright Convention, and WIPO Copyright Treaty) five rights are associated with copyright: the right to: (1) Reproduce the work in any form, language or medium. (2) Adapt or derive more works from it. (3) Make and distribute its copies. (4) Perform it in public. (5) Display or exhibit it in public. To acquire a valid copyright, a work must have originality and some modicum of creativity. However, what is protected under copyright is the 'expression' or 'embodiment' of an idea, and not the idea itself. A copyright is not equivalent of legal-prohibition of plagiarism (which is an unethical and unprofessional conduct, but not an offense), and does not apply to factual information." (Definition from www.businessdictionary.com)

The Difference Between Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism (Webpage)

Facebook's New Video Business is Awash With Copyright Infringement and Celebrities are Some of the Biggest Offenders (Webpage)

Are Viral Sports GIFs Violating 'Fair Use'? (Webpage)

Read the following articles about how to lawfully use copyrighted material.

The Basics of Getting Permission (Webpage)

What You Need to Know Before Sharing Photos and Videos Online (Webpage)

14 Amazingly Free Stock Photo Websites (Webpage)

Watch the following video about how to use copyrighted materials.