Argalius Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 Copyright, strange thingy. But what is it exactly? I know that it's illigal to copy something with copyright, ©. But when is something copyrighted? Is it when you place a © at the bottom of it or do you have to register it somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElfTheHunter Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 Technically, any original piece of art, as soon as it is created is copyrighted. But, many people put the symbol there to announce it's copyrighted so that others do not take credit for it.While it is legally copyrighted from creation, it doesn't stop people from stealing it and taking credit (but if you hire lawyers and bring a case against them, with proof it was your creation, then you'd most likely win).But the proper way to do it, is to register at the copyright office and that way, there's record of it belonging to you and if someone steals it you don't have to go through all the hastle of proving its yours.At least that's as much as I understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenratiophi Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 Can you legally just put the copyright symbol on anything you make, even if you don't go to the copyright office?Like...This post is copyright © Carlos D 2005or something like that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorian Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 Pretty much, in the UK at least (dunno about other countries,) copyright is automatic, so are trademarks but like Shane said if you have registered it you don't have to prove it in court. copyright is always © but trademark is either TM or ®, ® if it's registered, TM if it's not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argalius Posted January 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 So everything what I make is automaticly mine and when I put © in it I've shown that it's mine and I have a stronger position? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorian Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 Yeah but you don't have to have the © thing, it's automatic regardless if you show it or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenratiophi Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 Heh, I'm going to put "This post copyright © 2005 Carlos Dominguez" in my signature Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorian Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Tutankhamun Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 I heard that somtimes for letters or pictures people mail themselves a copy of their work to themselves and then leave it unopened. That way it is sealed inside and the postmark date proves when it was in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufinwe Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 (yes, my step-father who designed a software for schools (educational thingy) sent himself a registered sealed letter ... and he also sent one to his lawyer ... in France at least, it is the same legal proof as a record in the copyright office ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorian Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 So you can get away with not registering it and saving loads of money by sending it to yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curufinwe Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 (well, you can in France ... but I think that in here, it is not very expensive to have something registered in the copyright office ... a few Euros/dollars only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeru Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 I heard that somtimes for letters or pictures people mail themselves a copy of their work to themselves and then leave it unopened. That way it is sealed inside and the postmark date proves when it was in there.←This is true for many inventions, even machines, software, medicines... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorian Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Some people are so cheap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_08 Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 It workes though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorian Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Probably what M$ does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red_08 Posted January 7, 2005 Report Share Posted January 7, 2005 Probably lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElfTheHunter Posted January 10, 2005 Report Share Posted January 10, 2005 Well, sure it works. But, if registered at the copyright office there is no need to show proof of ownership. While to be honest I don't really know the details involved in showing proof of ownership, but I do believe it requires some time and dedication (even if you have clear evidence like the mailed letter) since others can still challenge the evidence as falsified (and that means some form of investigation which might end up costing you some money). And I believe that if you provide a sealed letter against someone who might have it registered there is automatically an investigation.So it works, but registering still has its value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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