What is the copyright status of messages posted to a Yahoo group?
Q. Does Yahoo own the copyright, does the author own the copyright? They don't have a copyright notice attached at the bottom or anything - are they in the "public domain" and somehow free of copyright? I would like to reproduce some messages on my website.
Asked by Paul M - Mon Mar 9 08:54:37 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. it's owned by the poster, and you cant send them to another group or site groups guidelines 11) You cannot re-post or re-transmit content that belongs to another user without that user's permission. A Groups owner or moderator (or any other user) cannot re-post or re-transmit Groups content to any other site unless the person has the explicit permission of every group member whose content is being re-posted or re-transmitted.
Answered by crazy_mom2_1 - Mon Mar 9 09:04:50 2009

What copyright is needed for blogs or online publishing?
Q. My husband is wanting to put some of his book he has been working on online in either his blog or perhaps on his myspace and website. However, there is a concern of people ripping it off. So what type of copyright will he need to have inplace on it for online purposes. Any advice, input, or guidance is appreciated.
Asked by Angie C - Thu Jan 3 21:24:27 2008 - - 1 Answers - 1 Comments

A.
Answered by angel - Fri Jan 4 01:05:16 2008

What is copyright and how important is it?
Q. What was the original purpose of copyright? Does copyright protection impact the way you use the information you find online or in the library. If so, how?
Asked by wmj404 - Fri Jul 24 22:36:44 2009 - - 1 Answers - 2 Comments

A. It protects the author's right of a work. It prevents other people for stealing a creation and putting it under their won name. It doesn't impact the info you find online/library as long as you don't reprint it.
Answered by JP is Here - Fri Jul 24 22:45:17 2009

How do you copyright your artwork from the US copyright website?
Q. I was wondering how some of you artists (photographers, illustrators, etc.) copyright your artwork through the US government website. Do you upload a zip of small filed pieces (like approx 300 pixels the largest size for example)? I don't want to send my artwork through the mail. I rather would upload them from the site so it would be helpful if you guys would tell me your experience with this. Thanks.
Asked by penelope - Tue Jun 23 18:45:12 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Copy right your artwork information is provide the below website. This website is very lovely and beautiful.
Answered by unknown - Fri Jun 26 06:54:47 2009

What was the copyright lawsuit over a rapper's album cover based on the arrangement of his jewelry?
Q. I'm pretty sure I remember hearing about a copyright case where a rapper A sued another rapper B for their album cover. Rapper A said that rapper B's cover was too similar. I believe the court determined that, in fact, it was copyright infringement on the basis that the alignment of the jewelry on their hands (maybe on arms as well or something) was similar. I just can't remember who were the rappers.
Asked by Neil D - Tue Apr 14 02:38:16 2009 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Too my knowledge you cannot copyright arrangement of jewelry on your body, a suit could of been filed... but it would of been more frivilous garbage.
Answered by Stephen - Tue Apr 14 09:17:44 2009

How do you obtain a copyright for photographs?
Q. I'm not a professional photographer, although I do plan to take classes and get a degree in it within the next 5 years. Right now, however, I'm doing a little bit of photography on the side, such as senior pictures. I'm thinking about obtaining a copyright so I would have the copyrights to the pictures I'm take, but I'm not sure how to do it. Most likely I will give any clients the copyrights as well until I become "professional" but I would like to know how to obtain them. Any information is appreciated! Thank you!
Asked by jlg_jdf - Sat Jul 25 23:18:53 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. You don't "obtain a copyright" for your own photographs. Copyright is automatic and in most cases it belongs to you as soon as the picture is taken. The exception is if you are taking photographs in the course of your employment (not when you are hired to take pictures). There is no requirement to register copyright but in the U.S. it is recommended for professionals as if it is not registered then apparently the payout will be less in the case of copyright violations. You should NOT be assigning copyright to customers in any circumstances. You would normally assign a license which would allow a customer to use the shot or in some cases to make there own prints etc. Just google copyright and you will find loads of sites with information. [cont.]
Answered by photog - Sun Jul 26 04:54:21 2009

How long does it take to get a copyright on a 12-track music album?
Q. I have a band and we're about to finish recording our songs for our EP Album. We're unsigned. We're really eager to sell them online, but we want to get the copyright first. How long does it take to get the copyright from the moment you send the songs to the copyright office? How long does it take to get the confirmation? Do you know of any other way we can get the copyright as fast as possible?
Asked by mechex - Wed May 21 00:58:48 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Under United States law, you hold the copyright to any original material that you produce effectively from the minutes you produce the material. Registering a copyright merely provides an easy way to prove your claim if someone violates your copyright. However, even if you did not register your copyright you can still win a case of copyright infringement against someone as long as you can prove that you created the material first and that the other person copied it. To register your copyright, go to There is a fee and, no, they won't go any faster, but you don't really need them to go faster. As already stated, you already hold the copyright on your material and can immediately put "Copyright 2008" on your material.
Answered by whitefangz1 - Wed May 21 01:52:20 2008

What exactly are the copyright laws on youtube?
Q. And can you be sued if you post something thats copyright??? Also would it be condsiderd copyright if my friends and i acted out a scene from a movie with just us no music and clips but the same words they used?
Asked by :: Anna :: - Wed May 14 02:29:30 2008 - - 3 Answers - 1 Comments

A. If you post copyrighted material, they will take it down. I've never heard of anyone being sued over a YouTube video, but your user account might get banned. There was an incident with Japanese tv shows suing YouTube over use of clips from their shows without permission, but those have since been taken down and I'm pretty sure nothing came of it. Acting out a scene from a movie doesn't violate any copyright laws as long as you don't try to take credit for any part of it. Just have a title come up that says something like "This a scene from..." and you're set. That's only if you're doing the scene word-for-word, though. If you're doing a parody then that's covered under Fair Use and doesn't violate any copyright laws.
Answered by Wes M - Wed May 14 02:47:32 2008

Is it copyright infringement to copy an artists work?
Q. Is it copyright infringement to copy an artists work and then resell it for a profit? Thanks, Mike Copy an artists work as in, drawing it over.
Asked by Michael P - Sun Apr 5 14:09:14 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Interesting question, I think the fraud comes with the signature rather than the actual work, I for example have copied Cezanne and sold them and I think that copying old masters etc is a bona fide learning technique but having said that I recall a couple of years ago the winner of the Turner prize, I think, was an oil of a sci-fi scene which won the artist the 10,000 prize plus he sold it for a ridiculous amount like 60,000 or thereabouts. Subsequently it turned out that he had copied it from the cover of a sci-fi paperback and the original artist sued him for plagiarism or something and won his case, I'm not sure of the outcome but the point is that artists get the short end of the stick when it comes to protecting their creations,… [cont.]
Answered by renoir - Sun Apr 5 14:35:14 2009

How to enforce copyright law on typefaces?
Q. In other types of copyright-protected materials, we enforce the copyright law in various ways, which includes not allowing reproduction of the materials involved. However, users of fonts and typeface must use them to publish something. In other words, they will make copies of the copyrighted thing, but that is pefectly OK. Then how do we protect copyright on fonts and typefaces?
Asked by Muscular Homo - Fri Jan 26 10:19:19 2007 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Strictly speaking, this is not about copyright law - at least in North America. Protection of typefaces as intellectual property relies on design patents. There is no copyright in typefaces. BoingBoing had an interesting post on this a while ago. The link to it is below. There have been several proposals that the USA and Canada enact copyright law in this regard, as may be found in Europe. If this interests you further, a 'copyright typeface' Google search will give more information.
Answered by versus - Fri Jan 26 19:45:56 2007

Who is responsible to supply images on a copyright infringement?
Q. I reported a company for infringing on my copyright. They are now trying to dispute my design is not of what they use. Instead of them present proof it is different. The hosting service is requiring me to supply it. I feel I have done what I need to under the DMCA. Any help will be welcome. The copyright office does not supply photos with the copyright. I feel I am being harassed.
Asked by jeff a - Wed Aug 13 18:26:49 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. see chillingeffects.org for all the details you need to know about making and defending dmca claims.
Answered by Barry C - Wed Aug 13 18:36:26 2008

How long can I use a copyrighted song before I break the copyright?
Q. Well I need to use a song in a video i'm going to make. Then I'm going to post it on youtube. I think I have read somewhere that if you use a song less than a period of time for example 10-20 seconds, you would be not breaking the copyright. Would someone please confirm my suspicions. Please if you have an answer back it up with some evidence.
Asked by Rex C - Sun Aug 31 21:02:12 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Unfortunately no, royalties must be paid for any part of the song. You cannot play that song without paying royalties or have artists permission. However, there are some exceptions, like educational purposes. But seriously, do you think the FBI is going to show up on your doorstep just because you played a fraction of a song. I mean I made a slideshow of Beatles songs that were my top ten, I made each song about 30 seconds to one minute long. Don't be afraid to use it. Everybody does it. Theres one guy who created a slideshow of stairway to heaven and it has like 8 million views. Unless you put a full album on youtube, you will get a warning from youtube to take it off, or else your account will be suspended if you don't.
Answered by ZeppelinBeatlesFloyd - Sun Aug 31 21:23:41 2008

What's the copyright law regarding pictures taken with the Hubble and other space telescopes?
Q. Are the Hubble, ESO, ESA, NASA and Spitzer telescopes' deep-space photos protected by copyright, or are they open to use because they were obtained with government funds? What are the pertinent rules of usage? If permission is needed, where would that be obtained?.
Asked by ciamalo - Sun Sep 2 12:53:13 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Ciamalo ... I thing Bryce's advice is right on. I don't really have a better answer. I did want to add this, though: I can imagine an instance where an individual or non-government enterprise might pay NASA to carry a payload into space for them or where such an enterprise might lease NASA's equipment for a special mission. In such a case, the data collected during the period of the lease may be considered the property of the enterprise and thus be subject to the same protections afforded to data collected by the company whenever they use their own equipment. Mind you, I don't know that for fact; I'm merely speculating.
Answered by Tony NY - Sun Sep 2 15:31:27 2007

What is the best way to copyright a screenplay?
Q. I would like to know the best way to copyright a screenplay? I Would love to get information from someone that has went through the process of successfully copyrighting a screenplay. If you know of any good website that has helpful information. Please post the web links. All positve helpful information will be greatly appreciated !!! Thank you!
Asked by nikki b - Wed May 13 10:37:35 2009 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Copyrighting a screenplay is the wrong thing to do. The reason that many writer do not copyright is because it's a speed bump in the selling process. And - if it's only a marginal thing in the first place, they could just say no. They're always looking for a reason to back out of a deal. The production company or the studio is the entity that copyrights, not the writer. If the writer copyrights, then lawyers have to get involved - which costs money - to get the copyright transferred to the company. It's a costly PITA. What professional screenwriters do is register their scripts. There are a few ways to do this, but the most commonly accepted way to do so is through the Writers Guild of America. Their registry site is here: If… [cont.]
Answered by meat - Wed May 13 19:00:02 2009

Who holds the copyright to books published during WWII by illegal organizations?
Q. Who holds the copyright to a book published by the NDSAP in '42? I study law and theology.
Asked by Daiv B - Wed Sep 5 12:39:37 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Books published before 1963 were copyrighted for 28 years and could be renewed for 47 additional years. That number is now extended by 20 years, for a total renewal of 67 years. If not so renewed, the work is now in the public domain. The fact that the organization which published a work was not legal does not negate the existence of copyright, as far as I know. However, I am not an attorney.
Answered by Maryn - Wed Sep 5 12:47:27 2007

How do I copyright my own work?
Q. I write screenplays and before I send it off to an agent, I'd like to copyright it. Is there a way I can do this to protect it?
Asked by thrillergirl - Mon Jun 30 05:09:12 2008 - - 5 Answers - 1 Comments

A. To register your creation log on to copyright/gov. Browse around for instructions on submitting screenplays, download the appropriate form, and fill it out. Mail it, with your $35 fee, to the Library of Congress. The website will give you the correct address. Bear in mind the cost may have changed. After eight months you should receive your registration which will provide copyright protection in the event of plagiarism or theft.
Answered by guitarpicker56@yahoo.com - Mon Jun 30 09:05:15 2008

How do I copyright original characters and art?
Q. I wanted to sell some of my artworks of original characters and drawings, but I wanted to copyright them first so that no one could stick it on the internet and say its theirs. How could I go about doing this?
Asked by raining... - Wed Jun 18 18:31:36 2008 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. How to Secure a Copyright Copyright Secured Automatically upon Creation The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. (See following note.) There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration. See Copyright Registration. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is created when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. Copies are material objects from which a work can be read or visually perceived either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, manuscripts, sheet music, film, videotape, or microfilm. Phonorecords are… [cont.]
Answered by grindengh - Wed Jun 18 18:36:35 2008

Would I violate copyright if I used images from a magazine from 1890 in a book I plan to sell?
Q. The magazine in question is Ladies Home Journal which is still around, but the images are so old I'm wondering if they're outside of copyright or not. None of them are pictures, all drawings, some of them ads. Thanks!
Asked by Meggo - Fri May 29 00:47:43 2009 - - 6 Answers - 0 Comments

A. All you have to do is cite the pictures in your book. You need to give them credit but that doesn't mean you can't use them!
Answered by smileypop333 - Fri May 29 00:55:14 2009

Will I infringe copyright if I download a naruto image and enlarge it to become a wall board?
Q. The printing company I went to in SG won't do it bcos of copyright issue. Do anyone know if there are any other printing companies in SG that will do the enlargement and creating the wall board? Thanks.
Asked by dare - Tue Sep 22 00:17:38 2009 - - 4 Answers - 0 Comments

A. It is a copyright violation and no printing company will do that work - even if it is for personal use, they cannot take the risk- they could lose their business if they were sued for copyright violation. Copyright violation is a federal offense, so I wouldn't mess with it if I were you. You cannot get a printer to do it for you. That being said, if you wanted to make your own from your home printer, you could do it in pieces.
Answered by moonrabbit - Tue Sep 22 00:39:52 2009

How can I find the current copyright owner of rare genealogical books, especially if the author is deceased?
Q. My wife and I love family history and genealogy. We often run across hard-to-find genealogical records published in older rare books, sometimes self-published. We would love to find the copyright owners of these books and see if they would open it up to the public domain or a permissive license. How do we find current copyright owners, especially since most of the original authors are deceased? If we find the legal owner, what release form should they sign to allow the genealogical content or index to be made freely available on the Internet?
Asked by KrisAn - Tue May 13 22:12:37 2008 - - 1 Answers - 0 Comments

A. I have had this problem myself. The only thing to do is use the information to compile a new text. Make sure to add your own information and credit the source of the bulk of your material. Most of these family tree books are put out by the authors without thought to profit. They just want to get the information out there and maybe recoup some of their costs.
Answered by Wild Colonial Girl - Tue May 13 22:20:50 2008