Figure out best format for copyright

[nwalton3]

See this email thread:

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FWIW, a copyright date with a range is a perfectly good way of giving notice that elements of a site were created at different times.

Strictly speaking, a copyright notice isn't even required, since the law establishes copy rights as soon as a work is "fixed in a tangible medium of expression". Having the statement is helpful, but it has no actual legal effect. For the general user, "last updated" is probably more useful, although the two statements really serve different functions.

~ Laurie Urquiaga

========================* Laureen C. Urquiaga, J.D., M.L.S. Associate Library Director for Access Services Law School Copyright Coordinator

urquiagal@law.byu.edu

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On Fri, Apr 19, 2013 at 1:05 PM, Bradley Ross Bradley_Ross@byu.edu wrote: Really interesting subject, Garrett. Those little copyright dates are tricky. You got me reading. Since copyright isn't perpetual, it would be a legal error to automatically script the current year into the field. It should only change when you update the page.

Of course, updating the page doesn't renew the copyright on all the elements of the page, so it might make more sense to just list a "last updated" line on the page for the convenience of viewers. I always appreciate knowing how current the content is on the pages I view.

How much do you have to change a page before you have created a new derivative work that gets a fresh copyright? This is from copyright.gov.

You may make a new claim in your work if the changes are substantial and creative, something more than just editorial changes or minor changes. This would qualify as a new derivative work. For instance, simply making spelling corrections throughout a work does not warrant a new registration, but adding an additional chapter would. See Circular 14, Copyright Registration for Derivative Works, for further information.

In "Circular 14," I read this:

Although not required by law, it is perfectly acceptable (and often helpful)for a work to contain a notice for the original material as well as for the new material. For example, if a previously registered book contains only a new introduction, the notice might be © 1941 John Doe; introduction ©2008 Mary Smith. For information about copyright notice, see Circular 3, Copyright Notice. http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf

Many companies have switched to listing a range of years in their copyright notices. I like that compromise.

Bradley Ross Business Analyst, Edge Services Office of IT, BYU bradley_ross@byu.edu (801)422-2525

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-----Original Message----- From: List byu-webmasters [mailto:BYU-WEBMASTERS@LISTSERV.BYU.EDU] On Behalf Of Garrett Hyde Sent: Friday, April 19, 2013 11:51 AM To: BYU-WEBMASTERS@LISTSERV.BYU.EDU Subject: Copyright On BYU's Website

The copyright date on BYU's home page needs to be updated. (See bottom of http://home.byu.edu/home/ ).

Garrett Hyde Computer Support Representative Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Brigham Young University 801-422-4100 ghyde@chem.byu.edu

[esng25]

I propose we take it off all together. If it adds no tangible value and just takes up space, lets get rid of it!

[esng25]

Quoted from http://www.legalzoom.com/intellectual-property-rights/copyrights/do-i-need-copyright: "All websites and their content are inherently copyrighted, provided they are original works. Whether you decide to complete copyright registration for your website is your choice. If the content of your website is valuable to you, financially or otherwise, or if you feel you need to protect your website and its contents for legal reasons, then taking a few minutes to register the copyright to your website is probably worthwhile."

[nwalton3]

Removed from template.