How much do I have to change someone else's work to make it my own?

It is important to understand copyright law in California if you plan on using someone else’s work for your own. Generally, if you make too few changes to someone else’s work without their permission, it still belongs to them, even if you made some changes. To make the work your own, you will need to make a substantial or qualitative change to the work. A substantial change is usually one that affects the underlying content of the original work, such as changes to its theme, message or purpose. This type of change would require rewriting or heavily editing the content. A qualitative change is usually a change that affects the appearance of the work, such as changes to its format or style. This type of change would require rearranging the content or creating something completely new that incorporates elements of the original work. In both cases, you should not have any substantial similarities between your work and the original work. It is best to consult with an attorney to learn what constitutes a legal use of someone else’s work. Understanding copyright law in California is critical to ensure that you are not infringing on another’s copyright.

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How much do I have to change someone else's work to make it my own?

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