Facebook Copyright Hoax Goes Viral Again

— -- A fake Facebook copyright message claiming to protect users' media has once again been making the rounds on the social network.

The message claims to put copyright protections on a user's posts after they share the status update.

It typically reads:

"In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!"

Here's the thing: Facebook doesn't own your posts. Under the social network's privacy policy, they have the right to distribute and share the things a user posts, subject to their privacy and application settings. (Check out Facebook's Statement of Rights and Responsibilities here.)

The hoax doesn't even have its facts right. A quick Google search will also show that there's is no such thing as the Berner Convention. (Whoever originated it probably meant to write the Berne convention, which is an international agreement protecting literary and artistic works).

So breathe a big sigh of relief. Your Facebook profile is fine. If anything, use this as an opportunity to double check your privacy settings by clicking on the lock icon in the upper-right corner of your profile.