How to Register a Website Copyright
The Internet is truly an information highway. With as vast as it is, it has become a place for content to be used and often reused without permission. Yes, people do steal content. Scanning for plagiarism is not enough. In order to have the content creator's rights preserved, a valid copyright must exist. This is for written content as well as unique coding on sites. A copyright is easy to obtain and can be updated as a website increases its content.
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Things You'll Need
- $45
- Stamped envelope
- Copyright application
- Blank CD-RW with plastic case
- Black Sharpie
Instructions
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1
Create a folder, titling it with the website name and date created. In this file, place all written content placed on the site. Place all word documents, pictures and blog content in the file.
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2
Go to the website directory and copy the .html files and drop them into the folder. If all content is saved in Step 1, the .html files serve as copyright on the design of the site.
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3
Open the CD on the hard drive and drag the folder of content into the CD. Save the content. Name the CD the same as the folder with the website name and date.
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4
Eject the CD and label it with a black Sharpie including the name of the website, date, contact information of the copyright owner. Place it in the plastic CD case.
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5
Go to the Copyright website (see link in References) and download the application for copyright. Fill the application out completely as indicated by the instructions. Be sure to include current contact information for the owner and creator (they may be different if the content was created as a work-for-hire). Print the completed application and sign. Make a copy as a record. Note: if Adobe Form Filler is not available, print the document and fill out legibly with black ink, sign, then copy.
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6
Write a check payable to the "U.S. Copyright Office" for $45.
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7
Place the CD, copyright application and check in an envelope. Address envelope to Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Ave., SE, Washington DC 20559. Add return address, seal and send.
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Tips & Warnings
Copyright may be pending for weeks to months. Though pending, it still validates the date of copyright as the date of filing to protect content as close to creation as possible.
This does not discuss electronic filing since the amount of content on most websites is a composite of many information sources and is better kept as one cohesive file on a CD.
