(C) What can u say?

SVB · 10-13-2003, 01:59 PM

What is there to talk about copright law? Is copyrighting something in USA different than in the UK? I know that in the UK the complete legal proces needs no lawyer, no forms etc, just a message on your site (c)name 2003

hatchet · 10-13-2003, 02:19 PM

I believe the forum is dealing with copywrite not copyright. Meaning more writing content.

But in answer to your question - it is much the same in US. There are downloadable forms that you can get from the government to actually have it legally copyrighted and registered.

SVB · 10-13-2003, 02:21 PM

Ah right, i didnt know. In uk, you sont even need a downloadable form. Its all fully legal and you have the power to sue :-) if you just stick the copyright thing at the bottom

Bubo · 10-13-2003, 02:29 PM

Actually, I believe that in both UK and USA you are entitled to copyright protection from the moment you create a "unique" work, regardless of copyright symbols, forms, etc. When was the last time you saw a sculpter put a copyright symbol on a statue?

However, the copyright symbol and paperwork make it easier to enforce the copyright. In my last example, a statue is fairly difficult to reproduce and so enforcing the statue's copyright is not particularly difficult. However, how do you go about proving that you wrote an article the day before that magazine stole it and ran it under someone else's name?

The paperwork exists to help prove that you created a work when you created it. A similiar effect can be created by mailing the document to yourself so the postal service date-stamps it, or by having a notary notarize the document. However, the forms provided by the government trump all of those easy, inexpensive methods by placing the trust of the government behind your claim.

As for that symbol, it's just a reminder to would-be thieves that the work is indeed protected. A copyright symbol by itself won't win a court case, it's the accompanying proof that you provide to protect your copyrighted work.

SVB · 10-13-2003, 02:32 PM

Yeah ur advised to give an envelope containing proof to your bank manager or someone.

Anyway, whats this copywrite crack all about?

Bubo · 10-13-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unrealfragmaster

Anyway, whats this copywrite crack all about?

It's the art of writing "copy".

Basically, it's about effective writing. Everyone has something to say, and a lot of us provide a lot of good content for a lot of subjects. However, there's more to writing something than using good grammar and having a handy dictionary. There's content layout - what order do you present things to achieve your goal? Seeding details - do you throw everything in every user's face or layer the more technical stuff below layman copy, and how quickly do you switch to technical. Marketing - how do you make the document appealing to the reader. Outside affects - the most famous is Google's emphasis on Header tags and anti-spam algorithms that dictate a maximum keyword density before flagging a site as spam.

Think of it this way: The MLA Handbook tells us how to build a written document. Copywriting is the art of decorating that document so people like it, machines can work with it, and idiots can't break it.

**John Scott** · 10-13-2003, 10:43 PM

After a full 30 seconds of thought, I decided we don't need a copywriting forum. So I deleted the copywriting forum and moved this thread to the Internet marketing forum.