Facebook copyright declaration: Nothing but a hoax and also meaningless

Last month Facebook had **proposed changes** to its terms, data policy and cookie policy and the company was open to public opinion on the same. We aren’t sure if it gave serious considerations to what people think, but the new changes are now live and will be applicable to anyone who continues to use Facebook after January 2015. Off late, many people have started posting a piece of text claiming their right over the content they post. Basically, it’s a declaration posted by users claiming how they own their content and no one can use it. The post says,

In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, crafts, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention).

For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!

Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version.

Now, let us tell you that by simply posting a declaration, you don’t own the content you post, and no one can use the content you post anyway. Yes, you are already protected by the copyright law. Facebook’s new policy changes don’t make any changes to the way your content is accessed. Facebook’s content policy still remains the same. It states, “You retain the copyright to your content. When you upload your content, you grant us a license to use and display that content.”

Click **here** to know what the new changes mean for you.

Facebook going public or Berner Convention (that is actually related to literary work) has nothing to do with the copyright to your content.

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If these things aren’t convincing enough, then read the official statement issued by Facebook claiming the circulating text is a hoax.

The Facebook statement reads, “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.”