"Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary,
dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture.
Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed."


Recently, I was asked about copyright infringement and the legalities with social media, minors, relatives, etc.
I thought this would be a great topic for my blog because it's definitely confusing when social media makes copyrighted materials so easily accessible.
There have been cases where I've heard about pictures of adopted children getting  stolen from adoptive parents' social media
by the birth parents in an apparent attempt to show they are still active members in their lives.
This makes things difficult for the adoptive parents, and the court systems, of course.
Legally, the copyright maintains with the artist, unless compensated for the release of copyright.
This is a rare case for artists to release copyrighted material.
Many photographers will release the sharing and printing rights, but will not release the copyright.
This means that their images can be shared and printed however the paying party sees fit,
but doesn't mean this right is extended to others, especially those who have never met the minors in the images.