Should I Register My Website for Copyright Protection?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the copyright protection of websites, specifically addressing whether it is necessary to register a website for copyright and the implications of such registration. Participants explore the automatic copyright granted upon creation, the advantages and disadvantages of registration, and considerations regarding legal action for copyright infringement.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that in most countries, including the USA, copyright is automatically granted upon the creation of a website, as per the Berne Convention.
  • Others argue that while automatic copyright exists, registering a copyright can provide advantages, particularly if there is a concern about potential infringement.
  • One participant highlights that registering a copyright may be necessary to claim damages in court if copyright infringement occurs.
  • There is a discussion about the practicality of pursuing legal action for copyright infringement, questioning whether the potential damages would outweigh the costs of registration and litigation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that copyright is automatically granted upon creation, but there are differing views on the necessity and practicality of registration and legal action regarding copyright infringement.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the varying laws across different countries regarding copyright, the potential costs associated with registration, and the subjective nature of determining the value of a website's design in legal disputes.

The riddler
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How do i copyright my website?

Hi all, I am making a website but I am worried about copyright. Could someone tell me how i could copyright my website (preferably for free) or whether or not i actually need to copyright it at all.
 
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In most countries it is automatically copyrighted to you by creating it (Berne convention) as with any other creative work.
If you have specific trademarks it is sometimes worth registering those (especially in the USA - where it allows you to claim damages)
But to actualy stop somebody ripping off your website - all you can do is have bigger and meaner lawyers than the other guy.
 


mXSCNT said:
In the USA you automatically have copyright whether you register it or not. But there are advantages to registering, if you think it is likely someone will violate your copyright, and you want to stop them:
http://inventors.about.com/od/copyrights/a/copyright_2.htm

On the other hand, registering costs money:
http://www.copyright.gov/docs/fees.html

Also note that if you do take someone to court over copyright infringement you will be required to register your copyright to recoup damages anyway.

Do you think it is even likely that you would sue someone for damages if they ripped off your website? Is your website design so amazing that it would be worth more than the associated costs of suing someone? With these sorts of things you really need to think about the practicality of it. Just because you technically could sue someone for something that they did does not mean that it is actually worth it to do so.
 

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