how do I copy protect a document I have created?

Question

I design and print documents, newsletters and cards etc and I would like to be able to protect them from being copied by others?

Answer 1

Copyright subsists in the work and is vested in the creator of the work as and when the work in created. In other words copyright is automatic and you hold it. However you may find it helpful if you can prove you created the works in the first place...make a copy and give this dated copy to a solicitor to hold...he will then be able to verify the date and time.

Answer 2

A simple way to obtain a copyright is to mail the document to yourself. Since the mail will be dated and have your name and address in addition to the fact that you yourself mailed it, you have the oldest copy of the document and can use this in case there is any case of plagiarism in the future. Other ways to obtain copyrights are purchasing a copyright from the government. Look online for more info on this.

Answer 3

All my quotations I send out to customers I convert to pdf format so they cannot change them.As far as copy protect goes a simple copyright header should suffice with the date on.Although you may have to be realistic about copying.If someone pinches your idea and changes it slightly it is hard to prove it was plagiarism.Try going to www.businesslink.gov.uk for more info on protecting your intellectual property.Good Luck

Answer 4

Encrypt a document produced in your PC.