Copyright?

[The Phantom Ghost]

Hi

Is all text automatically copyrighted?

Or do i have to insert it at bottom. If someone steals my text what happens?

Many thanks

[Matt.Dean]

In the United States and Canada, it usually goes that as soon as something is written, it is copyrighted by the author by default, even if it doesn't say so. Many put the copyright notice (i.e. Copyright © 2009 StudyMetrics Inc.) to remind readers of that fact and/or to establish ownership/authorship of the document in question.

As for your other question, if someone steals your text, you can pursue civil remedies as perscribed by the law of your country. Note that it would be a civil case (you would sue the person who steals your text) and not a criminal case (with a jury, etc., like murder).

Since I just saw that you're from Spain, I'm not sure about the laws of your country specifically (but it was really beautiful when I visited, but I digress). There is, however, a convention between many countries - the name escapes me right now but I think it might be the Berne Convention or something like that - which all the countries agreeing to the convention agree to uphold copyrights and other intellectual property laws of other member countries.

I'd suggest placing that copyright notice on your text whenever appropriate, but also seeking the advise of an attorney in your country since I am not a lawyer (in Canada, the United States, or anywhere...) but legal issues do interest me.

I hope this information helps you.

[The Phantom Ghost]

Hie thanks a lot Matt!

[hockey97]

ya that is true. Matt is right. Don't forget you need to have proof it's your work if you plan to sue anyone that steals your work.

one method is to register for copyrights with the FEDs . The US copyrights office.

Another metod is call the poor mans copyright. You put the copyright material and mail it to yourself .. but when sending it you have to make it registered mail. This is only with the U.S mail.

the U.S mail is federal. That will be usable in court to prove the day you created the stuff.

It's not solid but it is better then nothing. Highly suggest to register it with the feds.

Hope this helps.

By law you are protected by the law when you created your work. Yet you now need to protect it.

even if you created that work and someone steals it. You need proof that it was your work.

the evidence has to be in documentation format. No verbal stuff.

cause if that was the case that you get automatic copyrights when you make it.

Then everyone can say I made windows OS. It boils down who has solid proof.

That solid proof is being registered with the FEDs even if you made that work and never registered it with the feds.

And lets say that someone stole your work and regsitered it with the feds then your screwd if you have now documents to prove you done the work before the regsitration date.

The feds would protect him. Just telling the reality of copyrights. You need to try and protect them from people stealing them.

cause if you don't protect them someone will steal you idea and then sue you acting if you stole their idea meaning copyright infringment.

Just saying. the stuff I said is towards the U.S laws on how to go bouts with it.

So your in spain I don't know the legal aspects of spain.

[The Phantom Ghost]

Thanks hockey97, i like the sound of poor mans copyright lol