Skip to main content
Participant
November 23, 2019
Question

Are keyboard shortcuts protected by Copyright

  • November 23, 2019
  • 6 replies
  • 934 views

Hello,

I would like to ask if keybord shortcuts are protected by copyright? Can I use them for commercial purpose? Thanks for answer

 

[Title edited for question clarity and future forum search... Mod]

This topic has been closed for replies.

6 replies

Legend
November 24, 2019

Don't forget in your work that "Adobe" and "Illustrator" are trademarks (not the same as copyright) which you must acknowledge.

Legend
November 24, 2019

It's not clear what "commercial project" you are talking about.

 

If you are creating a training course or textbook about Adobe software then it's perfectly fine to include a list of keyboard shortcuts, but you will need to type out the content yourself rather than taking a screenshot from the website. More important is the trademark restriction, there are specific rules you must follow when talking about Adobe and its products, such as ensuring the trademark owners are credited and not using logos or implying any endorsement. For advice see https://www.adobe.com/legal/permissions.html

 

If you want to use the same keyboard shortcuts in your own software then that is generally considered OK; all the most common shorcuts (save/copy/paste/etc) are universal and Adobe doesn't have any rights to control which keys people press, but the question of whether an entire "scheme" of shortcuts is protectable remains a matter for the courts.

Participant
November 24, 2019

So, when I will create something like "Aid for Graphic Designer" where will be all off the keybord shortcuts for specific program and I will rewrite them from the Adobe Helpx website, thats allright? I will not take the screenshot, but I will rewrite it. And when I will want make the title page of the textbook, I CANT use the logo of Adobe, but can I just write something like "Aid for Graphic Designer for Adobe Illustrator", or something like this..? Thank you so much for the answers

Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 24, 2019

I think you might be repeating work that has already been done by other people.  As an example, these PDF cheat sheets are available for free download.

https://photoshoptrainingchannel.com/photoshop-keyboard-shortcuts/

https://makeawebsitehub.com/adobe-illustrator-keyboard-shortcuts/

 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
Nancy OShea
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 23, 2019

From copyright.gov.

What does copyright protect?

Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.

 

 

Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 23, 2019

Your best route would be to consult an attorney.

Participant
November 23, 2019

I mean, on the Adobe Helpx website is the summary of the keybord shortcuts. I would like to use all of them for my project witch would be able to sell. And I dont want to have any problems with copyright. So, can I use them for my comercial project and dont need to ask Adobe for licence or something? I think its same like when some do the tutorial on Youtube and they dont need any permition..so.. 🙂

John T Smith
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 23, 2019

You own what you create with a program