Copyright...five facts every scrapbooker needs to know! Copyright laws can be really confusing and complicated for scrapbooker and myths and falsehoods about what is okay and what is not only makes matters worse. I'm not a lawyer and I don't even play one on TV, but I've been reading and studying copyright law (especially how it applies to scrapbookers) for many years now.

I became interested in copyright law when I started creating Paper Piecings to sell on eBay. I wanted to make sure that sets that I was making weren't breaking rules. I also wanted to know rules about my original designs and how others can and cannot use them.

Here are five basic things that EVERY scrapbooker should know about copyright:

#1--When you create an original scrapbook layout, card or other project (not from a sketch, scraplift or idea book) you AUTOMATICALLY own copyright. No, you don't have to add a copyright notice. No, you don't have to register your layout design with government. Tip: Adding a copyright notice or watermark image to your original designs is a good idea if you plan to share them online. It helps to remind everyone that your artwork is yours.

#2--In order for a work to be protected it must be original and created by designer or artist. The work can be similar to existing works but not an exact copy. Chances are if you see a project in an online gallery, in an idea book or hanging in store, that project has copyright protection. Tip: It is always better to assume that project is protected and ask for permission to use design than to assume it is just okay to use it.

Framed art is an ideal compliment to any room of your home or office. Decorating an environment using framed artwork is quick, easy and is usually relatively inexpensive. People generally choose framed art because it matches their decor, or because they like actual piece and conducting this selection can be great fun because choice is simply huge.

Today, there are currently thousands of artists who have allowed their work to be transferred into framed prints. But this is not a new thing. The world has appreciated work of artists for many years. While many of modern day artists go unannounced to world, many others already have stamped their mark on world. Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and many other classic artists will live on through their artwork forever and buying print versions of their work is both popular and common.

Appreciating work of artists – irrespective of whether they are known or unknown is an important part of cultural aspect of life. In order to be a well-rounded person, it helps to build a healthy appreciation for art. A great way to show your admiration is through purchase and display of framed art. Framed art prints are less expensive than actual paintings so this lets you enjoy many options for decorating your environment.