My friend sells her book online and claims to all that her work is copyrighted. (She does this by using the copyright insignia.) In fact, this is her bluff. Aside from her bad judgement not to copyright it, might she be breaking the law? What would the fine or penalty be for her, if discovered? Many thanks!
2007-04-01 13:11:46 · 8 answers · asked by George J 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright.
A proper copyright notice consists of the following elements:
1. The © symbol (© in HTML code)
2. The first year of publication
3. The name of the company originating the work
2007-04-01 13:24:04 · answer #1 · answered by xx_kc_xx 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you are confused with many, many years ago. the symbol was reserved for use only if the work was registered, and the year of registration had to be shown. had the symbol been used and the work not registered, that was a serious offense. That law changed about 1984 or so.
with Berne Convention, all works are copyrighted once in fixed form, and the symbol can be used or not, makes no difference. people who use the symbol now is usually because they intend to protect their work from infringers, so this puts people on notice.
2007-04-02 14:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by lare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Confusing trademartk with copyright. The "C" sign is what is needed to note that it's copyrighted. Unlike a trademark or patent which must be filed with the government, copyright does not require you to take an action with the government.
2007-04-01 14:52:31 · answer #3 · answered by caffeyw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She owns her words, they are copyrighted as soon as they are in print (paper,online or otherwise). Your question, as soon as you typed it, was copyrighted. The difference is you just haven't registered it with the copyright office in Washington DC. What she is doing by using the symbol is not illegal, but actually acceptable, however, many publishers may look upon it as a mark of novice author when they see it.
You can contact the Copyright Public Information Office directly with copyright questions.
2007-04-01 13:37:17 · answer #4 · answered by whats.the.deal 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like many other people, you are confusing "copyright" with "trademark" -- in the US, the latter requires following specific steps with the federal government, but the former is automatic. Your friend sounds like she's doing exactly the right thing.
2007-04-01 13:28:56 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She isn't breaking the law. It is copyrighted when she puts that sign on it.
2007-04-01 13:15:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Talk to a copyright attorney.
2007-04-02 17:07:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her work is copyrighted from the moment it is created. It doesn't need to be registered at all.
2007-04-01 13:19:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋