Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site scc.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!scc!steiny From: steiny@scc.UUCP (Don Steiny) Newsgroups: net.sources.bugs Subject: Re: copyright notice Message-ID: <602@scc.UUCP> Date: Sat, 18-Jan-86 12:37:25 EST Article-I.D.: scc.602 Posted: Sat Jan 18 12:37:25 1986 Date-Received: Sun, 19-Jan-86 07:41:20 EST References: <1536@wanginst.UUCP> <1073@ecsvax.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Don Steiny Software Lines: 37 Summary: Copyrights need not be sent to library of Congress In article <1073@ecsvax.UUCP>, dgary@ecsvax.UUCP writes: > In article <1536@wanginst.UUCP> mckeeman@wanginst.UUCP (William McKeeman) writes: > >* ShareWare Copyright Notice * > >* Copyright I.M. Author. month day, year * > >* * > >* In recognition of the contributions of those who have gone before, and * > >* to encourage those who will follow, the attached software is placed in * > >* The Public Domain. /s/ I. M. Author month day, year * > > William says this lets the author retain copyright while permitting the > work to be freely copied. I'm pretty sure that's not the case. If you > "place something in the public domain" you have just given up your > copyright, by definition of "public domain." Far safer is to say > "permission is hereby granted to copy and use this work except for > profit" or words to that effect. You are apparently confusing trade secrets with copyrights. According to "Legal Care for Your Software", by Danial Remer, Nolo Press, p. 25 "A copyright, theorietically, is automatically born the instant the program is transfered from your mind to paper or floppy disk or other fixed form." There is no reason you cannot copyright something and give it away. > > Incidentally, Americans should note that if you put a copyright notice > on something you are legally obligated to send a copy to the Library of > Congress *whether or not you choose to register your copyright claim*! It is not even necessary to register a copyright. The more steps you take to protect yourself the easier it is to collect money if your copyright is infringed. -- scc!steiny Don Steiny @ Don Steiny Software 109 Torrey Pine Terrace Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060 (408) 425-0382