Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!think!harvard!seismo!rochester!ritcv!ccivax!rb
From: rb@ccivax.UUCP (rex ballard)
Newsgroups: net.legal
Subject: copyrights to letters (registered mail)
Message-ID: <428@ccivax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 24-Feb-86 08:57:26 EST
Article-I.D.: ccivax.428
Posted: Mon Feb 24 08:57:26 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 1-Mar-86 01:08:37 EST
References: <256@bambi.UUCP> <385@ccivax.UUCP> <739@ttrdc.UUCP>
Reply-To: rb@ccivax.UUCP (What's in a name ?)
Distribution: net
Organization: CCI Telephony Systems Group,  Rochester NY
Lines: 26

In an earlier article (385@ccivax.UUCP) I suggested using registered
or certified mail to secure proof of publication.  This was based on
a course taken in 1976, before the revised copyright act of 1976 was
passed.  Due to the broadened scope of this new law, disregard this
suggestion, as it is now obsolete.

Prior to 1976, the subject matter discussed (Scenic Design draftings
and renderings, by-products of theatrical production) was not protected
by federal statute, only by common law.  The new law covers practically
everything.

After reading the new law (in effect since 1978), and the software
protection act (1980),  I would strongly suggest that you register
any software you want to protect with the copyright office.  There
are limitations to the protection it gives (It protects expression
of an algorythm, but not the algorythm itself), but it does give
definite protection.

A good "plain english" narrative of the new law is "The Rights
of Authors and Artists" put out by the ACLU.  The actual text
of the new law is available in the reference section of many
public libraries.

I apologise for the misinformation.

Disclaimer: When in doubt, see a lawyer.  I am not a lawyer.