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Website Copyright Basics
Website Copyright Basics: Protect Your Website and Respect Others
What is a Copyright?
How to Get a Website Copyright
What if Someone Steals Your Stuff?
Additional Website Copyright Resources
Disclaimer: This material is meant for informational purposes only and not to be used as legal advice. Please consult an attorney for legal advice related to your particular situation.
Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary defines copyright as “the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (as a literary, musical, or artistic work).” Copyright can also protect software, web pages, photos and images.
As soon as your website is published on the Internet, it is indeed copyrighted. Registering it with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional, but it is necessary in order to sue for monetary compensation in federal court.
As soon as your website is published on the Internet, it is indeed copyrighted. Registering it with the U.S. Copyright Office is optional, but it is necessary in order to sue for monetary compensation in federal court.
As mentioned before, once your website is published, it already has a copyright whether it is stated or not, but to avoid confusion you should add a copyright statement to each page of your website.
Again, if you have the need to collect monetary compensation for copyright infringement, register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office.
In order for your copyright statement to be valid it must include these four components:
Again, if you have the need to collect monetary compensation for copyright infringement, register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office.
In order for your copyright statement to be valid it must include these four components:
- The symbol © - Important note: using (c) is NOT valid
- The word “copyright” or the “Copr.”
- The first year of publication
- Your name (or your company's name)
Consulting an attorney would be the wisest thing to do if you suspect unauthorized use of your copyrighted work. Some experts suggest sending a cease and desist letter to the offending party. The R.I.G.H.T.S website has an example of a cease and desist letter.
- R.I.G.H.T.S. - "Redistribution in Graphics Has to Stop" Website
- United States Copyright Office Everything you need to know about U.S. Copyright Laws
- How to Protect Your Website Images Posted by Tim Slavin for ReachCustomersOnline.com
- How to Protect Your Website’s Copyright When Someone Steals Your Content Posted by Joshua Dorkin for TimeForBlogging.com