I keep trying to figure out what the law is when it comes to things like Avatars and web graphics. There are tons of sites out there with stuff you can download and use. The folks who created PHPBB have a page where you can download Avatar groups that others have uploaded. On it are sets that include stuff from Disney. I would have thought that was a violation of copyright law. There is another site devoted to XBOX where users upload screenshots and images of there favorite games. Again is that not against copyright laws.
Perhaps it there are just too many sites out there to police. I know of a couple site owners right now that are haveing battles with companies like Yahoo and Geocities that allow user webpages and their content has been duplicated on some of those users sites. You have to jump through hoops to get a site taken down.
I have done some searching but really have not been able to find anything that gives any clear answer to this problem. Perhaps there is none. Whatever you do don't go to the goverment copyright site you well simply become lost in all the links you have to follow looking for the answer. :)
I create just about everything I use on a site myself except for a few backgrounds that are from graphic libraries I purchased but what can the person do that can't do this. How would they know if images they have downloaded from a site are free to use or if they are perhaps violateing copyright law? I remember the story of a local childrens daycare here in KC that had Disney images on the outside of their building that a friend had done for them. Not sure if they got sued but Disney did make them take them all down.
If anyone can find any articles or sites that relate to copyright on the internet that don't get to techical would love to know about them.
Also does the copyright have to go at the very bottom of a page?
I have read that the format that WestHost uses for their copright is the standard and covers the laws in more then just the US.
How about the date? Should it change each year or is it the year you first launched the page even if the content on it changes over time?
Ok guess that is more then enough to get some discussion going. :wink:
I've copyrighted things before. It's really lax. I mean as far as a computer program goes a few changes here and there and it's not your work. Okay admittely that's never happened to me so I don't know exactly what the criteria is, but it's a scary thought. You use form TX (text). I aim to actually copyright my web-site this year. I don't think it matters where the notice is displayed just as long as it is. I know what you mean about images. You do have to consider how readily identifiable the images you steal for your own self indulgent purposes are :twisted: Visitors can see your code. Tweak something here, tweak something there, and voila! :twisted: So I'm kind of thinking now what's the point? Simply displaying the notice is adequate and free. But, for $10 bucks you get a nifty certificate!
SJP
Whatever you do don't go to the goverment copyright site you well simply become lost in all the links you have to follow looking for the answer. :)
I'm not sure if this is the site you're talking about, but here it is . . .
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/
Now my advice. Get a lawyer. Hate to say that but nobody can advise you like a lawyer can when it comes to law.
Here's a link: http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/copyright.html. I learned some new things.
SJP
I wanted to add some avatars by an artist named Patrick McEvoy to my BB, so I sent him an email asking for permission to use his work. He was flattered and gladly gave permission.