I am not a Copyright Lawyer! or a Lawyer of any sort, this article is written from the point of view of a UK resident.

The Internet can feel like the wild west at times, with people taking from each other and remixing and releasing each others work. Some may argue that it's a core part of what has made the Internet a success and I'm inclined to agree I would also highlight Twitter as being the modern poster child for the Remix and Re-release of information and Ideas.

However! This has also lead to greedy and opportunistic Media Outlets falling over themselves to check what "the people think" about any given subject from wars to political fallout and what Paris had for breakfast. Your thoughts suddenly became the news copy of the latest story. Bet you didn't even know you were going to be quoted did you? Bet they didn't ask either!

Why is theft of Tweets without asking a problem?

Well the simple fact is that your Tweet as used by a Media Corporation makes them money simple as that, they will be serving adverts against your words, search engines will send traffic in and the Media Organisation gets free copy without having to pay you a penny!

Your Tweets can also be used to miss represent you or your work in publications, now that Twitter says your Tweets are yours to control ANY publisher that uses a Tweet online or offline will have to get permission first or they can't quote your words they would be breaking your copyright if they did.

You really do OWN your Tweets - Protect your investment!

Twitter has updated its Terms of Service and made it clear that you as the operator of the account own / control your Tweets they are your copyright in effect. This gives you the power to decided by who and where your tweets can be republished.

You may like to read this Wikipedia Article about Copyright also note that in the USA they have Fair Use which allows a person to reuse a portion of a copyrighted work as long as there's no profit motivation in doing so. Clearly what Media Outlets do currently isn't covered by Fair Use. Also in the UK we have no such thing we only have copyright which last for a period of time after your death.

Taken from the Twitter Blog - my emphasis

{jb_quote}Biz Stone: "Ownership—Twitter is allowed to "use, copy, reproduce, process, adapt, modify, publish, transmit, display and distribute" your tweets because that's what we do. However, they are your tweets and they belong to you." {/jb_quote}

Now personally I don't mind someone using an rss of my tweets or the general public remixing my stuff after all its what made the Internet a success BUT I will not allow Media companies to steal from me my protected works so they can use them to create Link Bait and profit.

Twitter has given us the nod that the words are our own to protect as we see fit, if a Media company uses one of your Tweets without permission send them a bill per word used and make a public fuss. They will settle your bill just to avoid the negative press in the media. (Figure that one out)

I wouldn't want to see people going after traditional bloggers but if a large Media Corporation uses your Tweets without permission hit them with a bill, remember if you stole a Film or some Music from the same corporation they would set the dogs on you in a heart beat.

{jb_bluebox}Once again I am not a Lawyer and would always recommend taking some legal advice before pursuing a challenge against anyone!{/jb_bluebox}