How do you copyright a website?

Question

I have a multi-paged corporate website for a startup. Do I need to file a seperate copyright application for each page? What forms would we have to fill out?

When I say copyright I imply registering the copyright with the US copyright office.

Thank you so much for the forms site, however, I am not sure on which one(s) to use!

Specifically, is it a literary work or visual art? (I ruled out performing art and sound recording). Also, does the copyright registration expire when we update the website?

Answer 1

Hi.

You probably already know that you can skip putting the copyright symbol on your site, although it doesn't hurt. You

You'll probably want to make a copy of the site and prints of the pages/content to send with your registration.

This is the PDF for Circular 66, which is basically the copyright offices version of a how-to. It has more in-depth information on what you need to do, which forms to use, who to pay and how, etc.
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ66.pdf

For similar but more basic info in more layman's terms, this site is good: don't need a separate registration for each page, but can do the site as a whole.

To copyright/register the site, here is a good basic how-to page:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2066478_copyright-website.html


Good luck.



........................

Just one more note, after reading what someone else wrote. While it's true that your works are automatically copyright protected, you are better off with officially registering a copyright if you ever want to actually take advantage of the copyrighting (eg. if you need to sue someone for infringement). Registration provides proof that you are the original author, and is needed before you can proceed with any form of litigation.

Answer 2

If you want you can file for the entire website on one form. In reality as soon as you save the pages they are protected via copyright laws. The way the laws read you no longer have to even show the copyright symbol on a page and it is still protected by law.

Keep in mind there is very little protection on the web from people stealing your information or images. Although the laws carry strict fines and penalties nobody can afford to prosecute every infringement.

Answer 3

Technically anything you create is automatically copyrighted.

Sending a copy with the fee only helps if you actually have to go to court to argue something like who did what first.

People usually don't bother registering websites with LOC Copyright office. It gets changed too often.

Answer 4

Visit the US Copyright website and get the form. Follow the simple instructions.

http://www.copyright.gov/forms/

Good luck and Happy Computing!