Does anyone here ever copyrighted a website design or idea?
 

Does anyone here ever copyrighted a website design or website idea? If yes then could you say a little about it? How it works and what exactly we can copyright? I would like to copyright my websites (all graphical content, layout, writings and ideas that engage in one integral wholeness) Is it even possible? I know that eventually we can't stop all thieves that rip our work but perhaps it could reduce the percentage of it.

Copyright registration cane be done online now for $35. Simply save a copy of your work to disk, fill out the required forms at http://www.copyright.gov/eco/ and pay the $35.

In a few weeks to a few months you will get a certificate in the mail backing up your claim of copyright ownership.


I guess a website would be visual arts?
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Use Form VA (visual arts) for copyright registration of published or
unpublished works of the visual arts. This category consists of “pictorial, graphic, or sculptural works,” including two-dimensional and three-dimensional works of fine, graphic, and applied art, photographs, prints and art reproductions, maps, globes, charts, technical drawings, diagrams, and models.

What Does Copyright Protect? Copyright in a work of the visual arts protects those pictorial, graphic, or sculptural elements that, either alone or in combination, represent an “original work of authorship.” The statute declares: “In no case does copyright protection for an original work of authorship extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.”

It's copyright as soon as you create it.

You automatically can claim copyright to anything you create.

If you ever go to court because someone stole your idea, design etc, its always a good idea to be able to show dated "Prior Art".
What i do is make two copies of all my work/ideas, i sometimes shoot a few pictures showing the pages or artwork alongside a copy of that days newspaper I then seal these in two envelopes one goes into my safety deposit bank box the other is given to my attorney.

Trust me, it's not, at least not in terms of trying to fight in court over it. If you want to go to court to gain damages you really should register your copyright. It's only $35 so why not protect yourself with a real registration?

Never really understand the whole "todays paper" thing, what's to stop me from saving todays paper for a week and then using it for a picture later on?

Ahahahahahahahaha??

Especially if you mark your pages: ? 2011, All Rights Reserved

Indeed, that's quite cheap. Normally I wouldn't bother with it but when I put quite a lot of time to build something (hundreds of hours) the thought that someone would rip my stuff in a matter of few minutes and use it as his is very very disturbing.

That's called a "poor mans copyright" and it's worthless in court.
http://www.copyrightauthority.com/poor-mans-copyright/

Copyright registration cane be done online now for $35. Simply save a copy of your work to disk, fill out the required forms at http://www.copyright.gov/eco/ and pay the $35.
If you go to court and win, you get extra money because you filed the copyright:thumbsup

A website 'concept' can be copyrighted ... but design elements cannot be copyrighted.

Copyright
 

You can only legally use the circle C if the copyright was registered. A copyright, like a patent does not protect you from being ripped off. Both are licenses to take someone to court that you believe ripped you off. You still have to prove your case. Copyright & patents just make it easier in court to win. But it's no guarantee of winning.

the so called "poor man's registration"... any IP lawyer will tell you it's pretty much a waste of time...:2 cents:

Yes it is (but I see your point). Copyright in the US is automatic upon creation these days (used to be different). Most of the time the registration is only done as a formality right before going to court....

Three suggestions for you:

1) Read this article by attorney Marc Randazza, as it does a good job in explaining why doing anything other than properly/officially obtaining a registered copyright is a big waste of time and effort.

2) Retain an attorney who has expertise and experience in intellectual property law.

3) Do not take legal advice from adult webmasters. (See suggestions 1 and 2 above.)

I know, I know -- lawyers are expensive. You know what, though? In a volatile, high-risk business sector like the adult entertainment industry, over the long haul, the only thing more expensive than retaining a good attorney is NOT retaining a good attorney. :2 cents:

You can use the copyright symbol on anything you create. Quite spreading bullshit.