James Ashworth
What copyright actually protects
Copyright is the legal right that stops other people from copying your work without permission. In the UK, it applies automatically the moment you write something original and fix it in a tangible form — a blog post, a draft in a notebook, a Word document, even a voice memo you transcribe later. There is no registration process, no fee, and no official certificate. The work simply exists, and so does the copyright.
For writers and bloggers, the protected material includes literary works such as articles, essays, poems, short stories, scripts, song lyrics, and — yes — your blog posts. It also covers artistic works like illustrations and photographs, plus sound recordings and films. What copyright does not protect is the idea itself. You can write about the same topic as another blogger, use the same plot structure, or share the same opinion. You just cannot copy the way they expressed it. Facts, news, names, titles, slogans, and common phrases are generally not protected either, because they are too short or too functional to qualify.
Who owns the copyright — and for how long
The first owner of copyright is usually the person who created the work. If you write a blog post in your own time, you own it. But there is a big exception: if you create something as part of your job, your employer owns the copyright unless your contract says otherwise. Freelancers and contractors need to check their agreements carefully. A commissioning contract might transfer copyright to the client, or it might give them a licence to use the work while you keep ownership. Always read the small print before you sign.
Copyright in literary works lasts for the author's life plus 70 years. After that, the work enters the public domain, which means anyone can use it freely. There are also moral rights, which are separate from copyright. These include the right to be identified as the author (which you usually need to assert in writing) and the right to object to derogatory treatment of your work. Moral rights last as long as the copyright itself.
Fair dealing: the UK exception
The UK has a concept called fair dealing, which is narrower than the American idea of "fair use". Fair dealing allows you to use someone else's copyright material without permission in specific, limited situations. The main ones for writers are criticism or review, quotation, news reporting, parody, caricature, pastiche, private study, and non-commercial research.
To rely on fair dealing, three conditions usually apply. First, the work must have been made available to the public. Second, you must give sufficient acknowledgement — crediting the author and the source, unless that is impossible. Third, your use must be genuinely fair. That means you should use no more than necessary, and your use should not substitute for the original. Quoting a paragraph from a novel in a review is likely fair dealing. Copying the entire chapter is not. Quoting a few lines from a news article in your blog post, with attribution, is usually fine. Reproducing the whole article is not.
Crucially, fair dealing is not a free pass for images. You cannot copy a photograph into your blog post just because you added a credit. The same goes for illustrations, charts, and song lyrics. If you want to use them, you normally need permission.
When to seek permission
You should seek permission when you want to use a substantial part of someone else's work, reproduce a whole work, use it commercially, adapt it, or translate it. "Substantial" is not just about word count. A single line from a poem can be substantial if it is the heart of the poem. A short extract from a novel might be substantial if it reveals a key plot twist. Quality matters as much as quantity.
Asking for permission is simpler than many writers fear. Identify the copyright owner — often the author, but sometimes a publisher or an estate. Explain exactly what you want to use, where it will appear, how long it will be available, and whether your use is commercial. Offer to include a credit. Be polite, give them time to respond, and keep a record of any permission you receive. If you do not hear back, do not assume you have consent. Consider creating your own version instead, using public domain material, looking for openly licensed work, or simply linking to the original source.
Practical habits for staying on the right side of copyright
- Attribute everything you quote. Even when fair dealing applies, sufficient acknowledgement is usually required. It is also good manners.
- Use your own images or take your own photos. If you cannot, look for public domain works or openly licensed material — and check the licence terms carefully.
- Link, don't lift. If you want to share an article, link to it rather than copying it into your post.
- Keep quotes short and necessary. Ask yourself whether you really need the whole paragraph, or whether a sentence will do.
- Check your contracts. Freelance agreements often contain copyright clauses. Know what you are signing.
- Respond to takedown requests. If someone asks you to remove their material, do not ignore it. Copyright disputes are easier to resolve early.
Finally, remember that copyright protects your work too. You can add a simple copyright notice to your blog, decide whether to allow sharing, and choose a licence that matches your goals. Understanding the basics is not about being restrictive — it is about respecting other writers while protecting your own writing. When in doubt, ask. A short email can save you a lot of trouble later.
