visual basic, Copyrighting Software

Copyrighting Software

Author	Message
Craig Watki #1 / 7	Copyrighting Software NOT that I am going to give Bill Gates or any of you guys any competition, but I was wondering how to go about "Copyrighting" a software program that I may end up writing/developing some day. Can anyone turn me into the right direction? Thanks in advance! Craig "the rookie wannabe programmer" Watkins
Fri, 06 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

Stuart McLachl #2 / 7	Copyrighting Software Quote: >Subject: Copyrighting Software >Date: Mon, 20 May 96 23:43:31 GMT >NOT that I am going to give Bill Gates or any of you guys any competition, but >I was wondering how to go about "Copyrighting" a software program that I may >end up writing/developing some day. >Can anyone turn me into the right direction? >Thanks in advance! > Craig "the rookie wannabe programmer" Watkins I'm no lawyer, but in layman's terms: Copyright laws vary from country to country (some don't have any copyright laws and your efforts can be copied in that country with impunity), but as a general rule, copyright automatically resides with the creator of the work. You don't need to do anything to copyright it other than clearly identify it as your work and state that you retain the copyright to it. Do this by including an appropriate screen display at some point in your program and by plain text viewable in your executable. (Usually the first will ensure the second.) -- Disclaimer?? The opinions of the writer ARE the opinions of Lexacorp!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LEXACORP Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Qld Australia Dataflex/MSAccess/Basic System Development
Sat, 07 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

A. Fis #3 / 7	Copyrighting Software Quote: >>Subject: Copyrighting Software >>Date: Mon, 20 May 96 23:43:31 GMT >>NOT that I am going to give Bill Gates or any of you guys any competition, but >>I was wondering how to go about "Copyrighting" a software program that I may >>end up writing/developing some day. >>Can anyone turn me into the right direction? >>Thanks in advance! >> Craig "the rookie wannabe programmer" Watkins >I'm no lawyer, but in layman's terms: >Copyright laws vary from country to country (some don't have any copyright >laws and your efforts can be copied in that country with impunity), but as a >general rule, copyright automatically resides with the creator of the work. >You don't need to do anything to copyright it other than clearly identify it >as your work and state that you retain the copyright to it. Do this by >including an appropriate screen display at some point in your program and by >plain text viewable in your executable. (Usually the first will ensure the >second.) >-- >Disclaimer?? The opinions of the writer ARE the opinions of Lexacorp!! >---------------------------------------------------------------------- >LEXACORP Pty Ltd, Brisbane, Qld Australia >Dataflex/MSAccess/Basic System Development If I'm not mistaken, there are certain copyrights to deal with software, I do know from an educational standpoint copyrighted material, such as literary works can be used for personal study or research purposes as long as they are not altered or re-distributed without the author's knowledge and consent. Also know it is not possible to copyright a listing. It is also possible to register design work and to get copyrights on that design or work, such as a trademark, etc. As far as programs, been borrowing routines from programs for years, and from what I understand, this is permissible if the original work is substancially altered, as in the case of routines, etc. Good luck, in this day and age, doesn't seem that it means much any more, expecially as the prior writer stated in regards to copyrights being only as good as the laws of the country in which they exist. -- Building a better life through Mad Science. -00- ~~
Sat, 07 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

Jesse Dorlan #4 / 7	Copyrighting Software Quote: > NOT that I am going to give Bill Gates or any of you guys any competition, but > I was wondering how to go about "Copyrighting" a software program that I may > end up writing/developing some day. > Can anyone turn me into the right direction? > Thanks in advance! > Craig "the rookie wannabe programmer" Watkins Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to pay for a copyright. The copyright office suggests that you pay the $20 fee to register your copyright (registering your copyright makes it easier to take legal action if someone ignores your copyright and does a no-no). The truth is, if you developed the program yourself, you already have the copyright. The only time you are not entitled to an exclusive copyright is if you used someone elses code as a basis for your program and they did not state in the code or documentation that it could be used freely, or you did not make the software on your own (i.e., you and a couple of friends made it). If all of your code is of your own making, you can put a Copyright message in your source code or executable. It is wise to get written permission from the authors of any "outsiede" code you used in your program, especially if there is a copyright notice in the code. -Jesse
Sun, 08 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

Jerry Chase 76606.3.. #5 / 7	Copyrighting Software Quote: >You don't need to do anything to copyright it other than clearly identify it >as your work and state that you retain the copyright to it. Do this by >including an appropriate screen display at some point in your program and by >plain text viewable in your executable. (Usually the first will ensure the >second.) To add to Stu's comment, In the U.S. you need to file a copyright to be fully protected. But since this involves sending pages of source code, it kind of defeats the purpose. If you sue for copyright infringement and you haven't properly filed, you can be penalized or fined. Ah, living in the U.S. is SUCH fun :-/
Sun, 08 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

DAVID WILLIA #6 / 7	Copyrighting Software -> I was wondering how to go about "Copyrighting" a software program -> that I may end up writing/developing some day. Legally, all you have to do is claim the copyright by putting a notice in the program containing your name and the date (year): Copyright (c) 1996, Craig Watkins The problem comes when you try to "enforce" your copyright. Basically, it's up to you to track down anyone who you think has stolen your code and sue him in court. This can obviously be a hassle unless you have a big organization behind you. Also, if you fail to enforce your copyright for a while (I'm not sure how long), it legally lapses, and the program becomes a public-domain one that anyone can copy perfectly legally. dow
Mon, 09 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

Glen Blankensh #7 / 7	Copyrighting Software Quote: > If you sue for copyright infringement > and you haven't properly filed, you can be penalized or fined. Say what? "penalized or fined"? No such thing. Copyright exists from the moment of a work's creation. If you don't include a copyright statement, you can't recover punitive damages, only actual damages. Registration is not required. Folks, please remember that, especially on the net, free legal advice is worth almost as much as you pay for it. If you want to see what the Copyright Act actually says, a hypertext version can be accessed via the Web at: http://www.law.cornell.edu/usc/17/overview.html Disclaimer: I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV. --- Glen Blankenship
Mon, 09 Nov 1998 03:00:00 GMT

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