Do we really understand copyright?

It is important to realize that if you are doing research for content to place on your website, you need to have a basic understanding of copyright laws. Some of the fines for not citing a source can be excessive. I have seen student’s receive fines up to $3,000.00 for a copyright violation.

So, what does copyright cover?

These days copyright is automatic. In other words you do not have to file with the U.S. Copyright Office to receive copyright on a book you may have written. Once you create an original work you have a copyright on it. This would include photographs, videos, printed works, software and artwork. For a more broad definition, it would include the following categories:

-Literary works

-Musical works, including the lyrics of a song

-Dramatic works, including a musical score

-Sound recordings

-Architectural works

-Motion pictures

-Audiovisual works

-Sculptural works

-Pictorial and graphic works

-Choreographic works

-Pantomimes

So, the website or computer program you created is protected by copyright. That would also include any content you have added in the form of a blog or page that is on your website. Enforcing it may be another matter altogether, since you would have to retain counsel to fight it in the courts. But knowing it is protected, would give the average person pause from just copying it and claiming it as their work. That being said, it would not hurt to place a formal copyright notice on your new work and registering a claim with the U.S. Copyright Office would definitely assist you in the event of a lawsuit ending up in the courts. Of course I would not advise registering a simple blog posting or a page on a website.

How long does a copyright last?

Today, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus seventy years before it would enter into the public domain.

Let me know if you have any questions on this.

Dave