copyright

[cracked]

how do i get a copyright for something?

i see all these websites that have "all content copyright blah blah 2003"

does it cost money to get a copyright such as this? do i even have to do anything other than say "copyright me 2003" on my site?

drew

U.S. Copyright FAQ

someone told me if you have an idea NOT to patent with those copyright ads you hear on tv and radio.

[OuTpaTienT]

If you authored (created) something, like a web page or an image or a novel, whatever, then you own the copyright to it. From the moment you create it, you then have the authority to mark your work with a standard copyright notice, like © 2003 John Doh. You don't have to pay anybody or even register anything. Copyright is a personal property right...you create it, you own it.

However you can, if you wish, also choose to register a copyright as a formality.

COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of the basic facts of a particular copyright. However, registration is not a condition of copyright protection. Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright law provides several inducements or advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration. Among these advantages are the following:

• Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.
• Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U. S. origin.
• If made before or within 5 years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.
• If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney's fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.
• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies. For additional information, request Publication No. 563 "How to Protect Your Intellectual Property Right," from: U.S. Customs Service, P.O. Box 7404, Washington, D.C. 20044. See the U.S. Customs Service Website at www.customs.gov for online publications.

Registration may be made at any time within the life of the copyright. Unlike the law before 1978, when a work has been registered in unpublished form, it is not necessary to make another registration when the work becomes published, although the copyright owner may register the published edition, if desired.

[cracked]

good info Out, thanks!

drew