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Copyright Info
By:John Lange
Date: 4/27/1999, 7:07 pm
In Response To: Re: Off topic curious (Paul Woolson)

>Also extremely off the topic: I've been in the publishing
> business as a designer for about 10 years and I have to disagree with the
> post regarding the copywrite. Perhaps I misread or didn't understand what
> I was reading but what's to stop the offender from copywriting the page as
> HIS.

The fact that he is not the original author would prevent him from registering the work as his. It is not the act of registration that gives some a "copyright." Rather, it is fixing the creative thought in some medium--pen to paper, film, keyboard to web. Registration of the copyright gives some additional benefits (you can sue someone, a court will assume that you have damages, and you can recover your attorneys fees). If you want to sue, and you haven't registered, then you can register at that time (even if it has been years since you composed the work). The copyright time will still be attached to the date you created the work. (Don't ask about the "creation date" of a web page--the copyright office hasn't figured that one out yet. :) )

> The © on a printed page doesn't hold up
> in court unless the page is registered with the copywrite commission. If
> one is publishing a 120 page magazine, one has to register each page as a
> copywrite in order to protect the etire book.

The copyright symbol isn't necessary anymore. In the past, if you didn't mark the work, then the work was in public domain. This is no longer the case. Works are protected with or without it. It is recommended that you use it because it puts the person on notice that you are the author and the date of creation.

> Again, I don't really know
> where the laws stand on web stuff but I can't believe that they are much
> different. Thanks! Paul

No difference, except that the web has made everyone a publisher and confusion about these issues reign supreme. I have linked to a very good FAQ page written by the copyright office that goes over many of these issues for those who are interested.

Sorry for going further off-topic.

Messages In This Thread

Re: Off topic curious
Mark Kanzler -- 4/27/1999, 3:32 pm
Re: Off topic curious
Paul Woolson -- 4/27/1999, 4:20 pm
Re: Off topic curious
Mark Kanzler -- 4/28/1999, 11:28 am
Copyright Info
John Lange -- 4/27/1999, 7:07 pm