When we spend the time to create our own designs, we want to make sure that they stay our own and are not copied by others. It is important in the Yard Card Business to copyright your designs. I have given some information below, regarding copyright process and laws.
COPYRIGHT LAWS (resource) www.copyright.gov/ The following are exact excerpts from the Copyright Publication. This is a very large document, so I will summarize and you can go to the site for more information. What is Copyright: Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to authors of "original works of authorship, "including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain intellectual works.
How to secure Copyright: The way in which copyright is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created. The use of copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require advance permission from, or registration with the Copyright Office.
Form of notice for Visually Perceptible Copies
The notice for visually perceptible copies should contain the following three elements:
1. The symbol for copyright (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright", or the abbreviation "Copr"
2. The year of first publication of the work. (there is more description here about different types of materials in the publication)
3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or generally known alternative designation of the owner. (company name)
SO here is what I do: *Each pencil design that I make is dated. *When the design is made into a sign, I date the sign with the same month/year as the original design. With the copyright symbol on the FRONT of the sign so that it is large enough to see.*I take a dated photo of the sign and attach it to the original design. With the above info. displayed you have exclusive rights to the designs & may take legal action if your designs are copied in any form.
If you have comments regarding "copyright" of your materials, please be sure to comment.
JOIN THE YARD CARD DIRECTORY for GREAT VISABILITY!
Sincerely,
Marty Miller http://www.lawnexpressions.com/ www.yardcarddirectory.com/
"Your outcome has much to do with your attitude" author unknown
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