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From: fitzpatrick@obsess.enet.dec.com (Dave FitzPatrick)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: Copyrighting
Message-ID: <21516@shlump.nac.dec.com>
Date: 27 Mar 91 17:06:59 GMT
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Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 50


In article <46255@ut-emx.uucp>, daveh@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (David H. Huang) writes...
>In article <4415.27ef854d@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu> rlcollins@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Ryan 'Gozar' Collins) writes:
>>In article <15514@smoke.brl.mil>, gwyn@smoke.brl.mil (Doug Gwyn) writes:
>>> Your work is copyright simply by virtue of your creating it.
>>> (It is recommended that you include an explicit copyright notice
>>> near the beginning of each source file, e.g. "Copyright 1991 by
>>> John Matus".)
>>
>>I have also heard that through some loophole this isn't even enough. I 
>>heard that you need to have the copyright symbol (c) in it.
> 
>I kinda heard the opposite... the (c) isn't really a copyright symbol,
>since the circle doesn't completely enclose the 'c', so saying "(c)
>1991 A. Programmer" wouldn't work, but explicitly stating "Copyright
>1991 A. Programmer" would be OK.
> 
>So, does anyone know of that's true or not?

My understanding is that for coverage in the US the word "copyright" can be
used.  The C in a circle is needed for coverage outside the US, as well.
And it must be a real C in a circle, not (c).  Now, there was a rumour that
this has changed recently in the case of ASCII documents (IE: electronic-only
distribution) but I have no verification of this.  And for the notice to be
legal, it must include the year and the name of the person or institution that
is the copyright holder.

For coverage in Latin America, the legend "All Rights Reserved" must also be
displayed.

Remember, a copyright notice is like a lock on your door.  It only keeps out
the honest folks.  It does show an attempt to protect your work, which carries
some legal weight in the event of an infringement.  But if you want to have
any hope of collecting damages, you must register the copyright.  At that,
proving damages in an infringement case is a very tough thing to do.  Usually
the best you end up with is a cease and desist order.

I am not a lawyer, but the above was from a lawyer who specializes in
electronic media copyright areas.  I was getting information about copyrights
for corporate video programs, but it applies to software, as well.

D=
-- 
   Dave FitzPatrick

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