Study Skills, Plagiarism, Copyright, IP

Study skills are essential for passing a course or anything based around studying. Studying is typically an important part of a course and the skills included when you want to successfully study are;

• Time Management 

You can improve your time management by creating to-do list's which gives you a steady but sure list of what you need to do and when by. Getting up and making your classes/getting up and completing parts of your to-do list is also very important. However, despite having to study, you also need to be able to have 'me' time to rest your mind and do the other parts of your life, which is very important. Sometimes it's a good idea to reward yourself after you have completed something or many parts of your list/what you need to do, so that it isn't just all work.

• Note Taking

Note taking is typically an important part of studying because then you aren't under the illusion that you have to do something or you do something wrong - because this could be time consuming and divert your attention to the wrong part of the study basis. Re-writing your notes after note taking can be important because you may run the risk of being too blunt and when you go back to look at it in time, you may misinterpret or you may not be able to understand your notes.

• Reading

Whether reading is a part of literature that you have to study for a certain unit or whether it's research to back up your art - reading can be important for your course. Typically, reading is something you will end up doing at some point if not consistently throughout your year; therefore to successfully read and take in the information, always take notes of the important parts and the relevance. Always putting a source on your blog after writing information taking from something you've read is important; especially if you want to go back and re-read something or if you miss a part off. It also covers your back incase the examiner thinks that said writing is entirely your own which could result in it not being included when you are assessed. 

(Selectively re-written from said source)

Plagiarism

"The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own" 

(Source: Google search)

Plagiarism could apply if you are copying something word-for-word or if somebody was to use a section of text and if they use a similar way of wording with very minor differences; it is still classified as plagiarism. 

An example of this: 

Led Zeppelin were sued for using a riff that had an almost identical riff in their "Stairway to Heaven" as Spirit's "Taurus". The consequences of plagiarism is that you could be sued, or asked to change said part of their song (etc) and they would have no choice to do so. Sometimes you could be sued for a lot of money and have no choice but to pay it out.

Copyright

"The exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material."

(Source: Google search)

Copyright exist to protect an author, a band and their name, songs, artwork etc. If copyright didn't exist, the more famous bands may have 100's of other following bands with the same name; or a book could be copied word for word and somebody else could put their name on it too. 

In the UK, you could face a penalty of 6 months imprisonment from the Magistrates Court; or they may be charged anywhere up to £50,000.

An example of copyright is:

Tuesday Bassen (a small illustrator) - her work was used without crediting her or paying/ or even permission by Zara and a few other big named brands.

IPR

"Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce."

(Source: Google search)

What your intellectual property rights are:

• The names of your products or brands
• Your work
• The design or look of your products
• Things your write, make or produce

It may be covered through copyright, a patent or a design if it meets a requirement or if you have a logo that is copyrighted and is distinctive. If you are self-employed, commissioned work sometimes falls under your intellectual property because it is their work for you unless your contract gives them rights.
(Source:Gov Site)