I dropped out of the whole cracker/copyright discussion because it was
consuming this list and I didn't want to encourage it. But I do want to
thank you for your professional insights and the address for the copyright
office. I for one will begin educating myself on the subject. Thanks
again.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: James Walters [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Thursday, June 10, 1999 11:43 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Copyrights: Why one would want to register a copyright
> (in the US)
>
> I thought I might clarify something related to the discussion on
> copyrights
> (in the US).
>
> One important reason to register your copyright is that unless you
> register
> before publication or within 3 months after the first publication of your
> work, then you will likely be prevented from being awarded statutory
> damages
> or attorney fees under the copyright laws. Sometimes that possiblity of
> being awarded attorneys fees can be very important, as the cost to
> litigate
> in federal court is high. It is entirely possible that the litigation
> costs
> (which include attorney's fees) would be more than the actual damages you
> would suffer. For example, there was a reported case some years back
> where
> the awarded damages were $50,000, but the attorneys fees that were awarded
> were over $100,000. Being able to potentially make the infringer pay
> those
> fees can be a powerful motivator for the infringer to settle the case.
> Also, it could be a deciding factor in whether one can even justify
> bringing
> the infringement action in the first place.
>
> Your work is "copyrighted" once you create it and fix it in some tangible
> medium (e.g. on disk, or paper, etc.).
>
> Registration is not required, but is advisable as noted above. Addition
> of
> a copyright notice is also good idea.
>
> Check out the Copyright Office website (www.loc.gov). They have a number
> of
> brochures and circulars in pdf format that give more detail on
> registration
> and notice requirements, as well as general background on copyright.
>
> Copyright registration is relatively cheap, compared with other types of
> intellectual property protection (patent, trademark)
>
> The above is just a general discussion, and is not meant to apply to any
> particular specific situation. Your individual facts may change which
> rules
> and laws apply. In other words, I am not intending this to be legal
> advise
> to any particular person's individual situation.
>
> Best regards,
>
> jim
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] James H. Walters, Patent & Trademark Attorney,
> Dellett & Walters, 310 SW 4th Ave. #1101, Portland, Oregon 97204 USA
> (503) 224-0115 (voice) (503) 224-7017 (fax)
> world wide web http://www.teleport.com/~jwalters
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: pete moss <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wednesday, June 09, 1999 2:41 PM
> Subject: copyrights (was: Re: cracking site - how do we shut it down?)
>
>
> >as a composer, who occasionally writes code, i feel that i can comment
> >on this :)
> >
> >"Hester, Garyl" wrote:
> >>
> >> }
> >> } Just one question. Do you actually hold the Copyright on the material
> >> } you are talking about. If you don't have a registered copyright, then
> >> } it isn't copyrighted. Technically this isn't absolutely true, but you
> >> } are in a very untenable position unless you hold a real copyright.
> >> }
> >> Not correct. According to copyright law, all works are implicitly
> >> copyrighted when they are published unless they are specifically placed
> in
> >
> >as far as US copyright law is defined, this is correct. works are
> >considered copyrighted (?) as soon as they are presented to others.
> >just mark it with the copyright lingo mentioned below. the only reason
> >for registering your copyrights is to be able to prove in court who had
> >it first. that is considered the only real, legal proof.
> >
> >
> >
> >> the public domain. To wit:
> >>
> >> "This work is hereby placed in the Public Domain."
> >>
> >> Further protections are allowed if a statement of copyright is placed
> on/in
> >> the work, to wit:
> >>
> >> Copyright (C) 1999, Foo Bar Productions.
> >>
> >
> >also, it should be noted that the '(C)' notation is legally invalid.
> >the only valid marks are 'Copyright', the circle with a c in it, and the
> >circle with a p in it. there may be others, but i know these because of
> >their relation to music. many think the '(C)' is the same as the circle
> >with a c in it. that is wrong. so unless you know the ascii for the
> >circle with a c in it, use the word 'Copyright'. you dont need the word
> >and the symbol together, but many use it. i personally use just
> >'copyright'. you might also want to mention 'all rights reserved'.
> >
> >pete
> >
> >this email Copyright 1999, Bantha Music (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved.
> >
> >(just kidding, i dont think ascap covers my non music copyrights :)
> >
>
