If you are going to go to that much trouble, why not make it really official
and register with the US Copyright Office.
http://www.loc.gov/copyright/reg.html
Look for circular 61.
It costs $20.00 to register your program ($30.00 after 6/30/99). There is a
"Short Form TX" (only seven data elements to complete) to fill out. You
send in a printout of part of your source code. If your source code
contains trade secrets your are allowed to block them out. That's really
pretty much it. I was surprised how simple it is. You don't need a lawyer.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tom Zerucha [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Friday, June 11, 1999 12:33 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: re:copyrights (was: Re: cracking site - how do we shut it
> down?)
>
> On Thu, 10 Jun 1999, Matthew D Moss wrote:
>
> > >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.
> >
> > One scheme I recall hearing to use as proof of date is the following.
> Take
> > the copyrighted work, place it in an envelope, seal it, and mail it to
> > yourself. When you receive it back, DO NOT OPEN IT. The cancellation
> on
> > the stamp contains the date and year.
>
> This would be limited proof, but I think it would be better to have it
> notarized (which includes a witness). I think most Kinkos copier places
> have this service for a very small fee.
>
> > I don't know if would hold up in a court, but it seems reasonable
> precaution
> > if it matters that much to you. I would also guess you could mail
> yourself
> > a floppy disk containing source code (rather than reams of printouts).
>
> Or optionally encrypt it, and use a PGP timestamping service. One was at
> http://www.itconsult.co.uk/stamper.htm
> last time I checked.
>
