Here’s where to learn more about derivatives and how to avoid copyright infringement when sharing my work.

 

Let’s start with what a derivative is in the sense I use it on this website and when talking about my intellectual property.

 

You can read up on the official version of derivative works according to US copyright law here. There is also good information here.

 

The abbreviated version is that a derivative of my IP can be any item (oral, written, audio, video, digital, electronic, etc.) that is based on, an adaptation of, grows out of, or is a result of my Behavior Design methodology, including graphics, concepts, models, frameworks, and/or other materials.

 

You don’t want to create or distribute unauthorized derivative works. They are a violation of copyright law in the US and most countries. Fines and damages are real. They are also costly.

 

If you want to share my work through video, downloads, emails, handouts, newsletters, first off, I thank you. My life’s work is all about helping people do good things in the world and I think (at least I hope) that’s where you’re headed with sharing. 

 

Here are some workarounds I suggest if the use you want cannot be authorized (probably because it is a derivative work). See more about specific situations and what might be considered a derivative use here.

 

The guiding principle for workarounds is this: share my copyrighted works by pointing people to the original sources.

 

An original source might be the website www.behaviormodel.org or my book, Tiny Habits. You can put a link to the relevant website in your publication, on your slide, in your social media post, email, or newsletter.

 

To share graphics from the Tiny Habits book, you can ask students, participants, clients, viewers to get my book and go to the page where the graphic is. You can also hold up your own copy of the book turned to the page on which the graphic is found.

 

During recorded and unrecorded video presentations given online via Zoom or another webinar kind of tool, you can screen share and have a browser open to www.behaviormodel.org (or relevant website) and show my intellectual property from the original source. Please share my copyrighted works from my official websites and not from others who may not have authorization to use my IP and/or use it inaccurately. There is a lot out there that falls into the latter category.

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For recorded and unrecorded online and face-to-face presentations you may also use a document camera, such as the IPEVO, which allows you to offer live video footage of a document, book, etc. If you have a copy of my book, Tiny Habits, you can use a document camera to share graphics directly from the book. The Fogg Behavior Model graphic is in Tiny Habits.

 

Another option during video recorded presentations online is to turn off (or pause) the video recording feature during the portion in which you share my intellectual property. After you are finished sharing my intellectual property, you may resume recording.

 

You may find a video online at www.behaviormodel.org or one in the public realm where I teach the Fogg Behavior Model or some other concept. These can be a good way to have a Behavior Design concept succinctly explained by an expert (me), instead of drawing it up yourself if your presentation/class is being video recorded. You can put a link to the video on a slide or share in chat and participants can open a browser window on their own device and view the video from there without it being recorded through Zoom or whatever web-based meeting tool is being used. If a video of me teaching the concept were to become part of what you record, you are in “derivative” territory again.

 

If you aren’t sure whether the workaround you want to use is OK, please be in touch. My team is happy to help you. Contact us here.

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