From time to time I get requests from people to use something I’ve written or created for their blog or website or even a class they’re teaching. Every time I’ve received a request I granted permission to use whatever it is they’re asking for.
Now, following Leo’s lead, I am granting full permission to use any of my content on Simple Marriage in any way you like.
I release all copyright on this site.
From here forward there’s no need to email me for permission. Use it however you want. Reprint it with or without credit, quote it word for word as your own, it’s okay.
I realize that a few of my professors from grad school may cringe, and perhaps think I’m a bit crazy (one of them already does), but I no longer am beholden to their grades.
If you use anything from Simple Marriage I would appreciate it if you’d give me credit and a link back to the original, but you are under no obligation to do so. No one will come after you and threaten you to take it down and no mob guys will show up at your door with baseball bats, unless you’ve got something else going on beyond this – if so, you’re on your own.
So why am I releasing copyright? The passage from the Bible is true:
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. Ecclesiastes 1:9,10
Everything that is created is built upon something else.
If you can take my work and build on it, make it better or more applicable to other situations, more power to you. The more people who can experience more in marriage and life – the better.
Corey is the editor of Simple Marriage as well as a licensed marriage & family therapist. While he has a Ph.D. in Family Therapy, he only occasionally likes to be called doctor. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe so you don't miss any future posts.No related posts.
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Might I suggest that instead of releasing copyright that you make use of the Creative Commons? They have a collection of licenses that allow you to maintain copyright on your work while sharing freely and allowing others to use your works.
If you go to http://creativecommons.org/license/ they have a “helper” that will guide you through what license is most appropriate. Or you can view the list of licenses with explanations at http://creativecommons.org/about/licenses.
My guess is that “Attribution” or “Share Alike” would be most appropriate for what you are trying to do.
Thank you! I haven’t used any of your material but maybe some day I will. I would certainly credit back to you but am very impressed by the fact that credit is of no importance to you!
What a great philosophy!
Hooray!!!
I expect (hope) to find many many more people making a similar declaration. Intellectual Property is dying. The gains from protecting copyrights are becoming so small, and the cost of that protection so expensive, that it is no longer worthwhile.
What is becoming really valuable is knowing WHAT to read.
The most valuable element on any website are its links.
Yay! I have not used your material either, but I am very much in favor of an open informational model and I applaud you for a step in that direction!
I love the quote from Ecclesiastes and your mindset in sharing your work. I actually wrote a guest post at Simple Mom today about giving…you’re giving your work in this way is right in line with those thoughts. Thanks again.
I think this is a great idea… it’s one of my favorite things about Zen Habits. I have never used any of his work without proper attribution, but it’s nice knowing that he’s so free about it. I applaud you for stating the same.
I haven’t done any official announcement about it on my site, but all my work is completely uncopyrighted as well. I should probably state that more clearly.
Thanks!
Corey,
you really demonstrate your professed purpose, to make marriages better. Your impact on others is what counts, whether or not you get direct credit, God can use the gifts he has given you for His kingdom.
I loved, “but I no longer am beholden to their grades”! Rock on!
Thank you Corey! I hope that many will be blessed by the insight you have so willingly shared with us and are now releasing. May the Lord bless a hundredfold the gifts He has bestowed upon you and of which you are such a good steward.
With great appreciation,
Jessica
Hey Corey,
Great to see another blogger rejecting copyright for their work. You may also be interested in this list of notable works whose copyrights were waived by its creator.
http://setfree.dyndns.info
Keep up the good work!
I came across Romans 8:28 yesterday, and this post reminds me of it.
“And, we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”