As previously reported, there has been a viral status going around on Facebook promising to protect your privacy by guaranteeing your right to copyright what you publish on the site. In case it was not obvious enough, Facebook has officially declared the “copyright meme” a false rumor.

There is a “Fact Check” section in Facebook’s newsroom. A post in that says:

There is a rumor circulating that Facebook is making a change related to ownership of users’ information or the content they post to the site. This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been.

Next time you see something odd like this being spread around, you might want to check this section.

Here’s what the message actually said:

In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, graphics, comics, paintings, 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!

Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile status updates.

For a look at the new proposed Facebook guidelines, read this.

Now, here’s a funny video about Facebook Law for idiots.