faq

Can I copyright my website?

Yes. The original authorship appearing on a website may be protected by copyright. This includes writings, artwork, photographs, and other forms of authorship protected by copyright.

What is a "poor man’s copyright"?

The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a "poor man’s copyright".

There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?

Registration is recommended for a number of reasons.

Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation.

Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

What is copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression.

Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?

Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries.

Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be.

A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

What does copyright protect?

Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, Web sites, and architecture.

Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed.

What is the rule concerning copyright and related rights in my country?

While in some countries the provisions of treaties can be directly applied as law, in general copyright and related rights are provided in national legislation of individual countries.

International treaties link various national laws by ensuring that at least a minimum level of rights will be granted to creators under each national law. The treaties do not themselves grant rights, but rather require the countries that join the treaties to grant certain rights specified on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Is a name, title, slogan or logo protected by copyright?

Copyright may or may not be available for titles, slogans, or logos, depending on whether they contain sufficient authorship. In most circumstances copyright does not protect names.

Is a character protected by copyright?

A character could be protected under copyright if it is an original expression of an author.

Merchandising items such as toys, interactive games, books and clothing including characters can also be protected by intellectual property rights in certain circumstances, mainly copyright and trademarks, along with other areas of law.

Is a television format protected by copyright?

Broadcasting organizations are protected as holders of related rights under the International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations (Rome Convention).

Broadcast content as such, as opposed to broadcast signals, can also be protected by copyright and related rights, depending on the national legislation.

Television formats, however, have not been discussed at WIPO (the World Intellectual Property Organization) as subject of a separate international protection.

Syndicate content