Copyright FAQ

Copyright is a legal framework designed to protect original creative works. For authors, it means that the stories, poems, articles, and other content you create are automatically protected the moment you fix them in a tangible form such as writing them down or saving a digital file. Copyright protects your expression, not ideas or facts, giving you exclusive rights to control how your work is used by others. Understanding copyright is fundamental to preserving your rights as a creator.

While protection arises automatically, enforcement is another matter. In most jurisdictions, including the United States and many others, you typically cannot bring a lawsuit for copyright infringement unless your work is registered with the appropriate copyright office. Registration creates a public record of your claim, establishes legal benefits, and makes it significantly easier to enforce your rights in court. Without registration, your options for recourse may be limited or procedurally blocked.

While Quibble provides a secure environment to share your content, protecting your rights beyond the platform requires proactive steps. To that extent, we recommend formally registering your work with the copyright authority in your jurisdiction. While Quibble is not a legal authority and cannot offer legal advice, we are committed to helping creators understand and strengthen their rights through clear information and, where possible, guided processes.

Copyright grants a bundle of exclusive rights, including the right to reproduce your work, distribute copies, publicly display or perform it, and create derivative works based on it. This means no one else can copy, share, or modify your content without your permission, unless the use falls under a legal exception. As the copyright holder, you decide how, when, and where your work is used and shared.

Copyright protection is not indefinite. In most jurisdictions, including where Quibble operates and where many users reside, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus a set number of years after death, which is typically 70 years. After this term, works enter the public domain and can be freely used by anyone. This duration ensures that creators and their heirs can benefit from their work for a substantial time.

Fair use (or fair dealing in some regions) is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission, mainly for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, education, or research. However, fair use is context-specific and can be complex. This means you can reference or quote others’ work within reason, but wholesale copying or unlicensed use is prohibited. When in doubt, seek permission or legal advice.

When you publish work on Quibble, you retain full ownership of your copyright. By using the Quibble Platform, you grant us a limited, non-exclusive license.

See more information in the Publishing Agreement.

Quibble respects copyright laws and is committed to protecting creators’ rights. If you believe that your copyright has been infringed or if you wish to report suspected violations, please submit a detailed report via [email protected], so that we can investigate and take appropriate action. We take these claims seriously and will act swiftly to address valid concerns.