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Copyrighting software
#83342
07/26/06 12:31
07/26/06 12:31
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818 Minot, North Dakota, USA
ulillillia
OP
Senior Expert
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OP
Senior Expert
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818
Minot, North Dakota, USA
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I'm looking into copyrighting my game, but don't know how to do it nor what form to use. The US Copyright website has several forms, but I don't know which one I need to use for a software product.
"You level up the fastest and easiest if you do things at your own level and no higher or lower" - useful tip
My 2D game - release on Jun 13th; My tutorials
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Re: Copyrighting software
[Re: ulillillia]
#83343
07/26/06 12:49
07/26/06 12:49
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659 San Francisco
JetpackMonkey
Serious User
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Serious User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
San Francisco
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Hey!!!
Here's the brilliant, cheap, legally binding copyright trick, works if you are in the united states. Best of all, it is very simple.
All you do:
1. Put your product in an envelope, seal it up. 2. Take it to the post office. 3. Have it mailed to your address by certified mail. 4. Put it in a safe place, and absolutely do not open it.
If you have to take it to court, bring the envelope. The postal certified-mail stamp is federal-government, legally binding proof that you were the first to create this product. This will provide legal protection if you go to court, if someone were to dispute the ownership of the product.
You can also include a notarized document stating that it is your creation/property as well. Putting an EULA on the published product and copyright notice should also be valid.
If you want to obtain a real copyright, you might want to borrow/buy a book from Nolo Publishing, who makes a great DIY series of legal books, complete with all the forms you need.
But the postal certification is absolutely valid legal proof that it is yours, and a US judge must recognize it as federal government certification in a legal dispute.
Good luck
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Re: Copyrighting software
[Re: JetpackMonkey]
#83344
07/26/06 13:01
07/26/06 13:01
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818 Minot, North Dakota, USA
ulillillia
OP
Senior Expert
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OP
Senior Expert
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818
Minot, North Dakota, USA
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I would prefer very strongly to register it. I don't like that idea. I did this with my story, which used form PA, but this is a software program and is otherwise different. My best guess would be form VA (visual arts), but then again, it's not entirely arts. It's a bunch of 0's and 1's in either magnetic form or as microscopic bumps on a circular disk.
"You level up the fastest and easiest if you do things at your own level and no higher or lower" - useful tip
My 2D game - release on Jun 13th; My tutorials
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Re: Copyrighting software
[Re: JetpackMonkey]
#83346
07/26/06 13:16
07/26/06 13:16
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818 Minot, North Dakota, USA
ulillillia
OP
Senior Expert
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OP
Senior Expert
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818
Minot, North Dakota, USA
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As I've stated twice now, I want to register copyright for my game. What I'm after is what form do I use from here? From there, I can fill out the form and send it and the needed material to copyright. I've done this with my script before and it worked out well. However, for a story, that's easy as it'd be form PA if it's for performances (as with the style of my stories) or form TX if a standard book form is used. Neither of these apply to a software program.
"You level up the fastest and easiest if you do things at your own level and no higher or lower" - useful tip
My 2D game - release on Jun 13th; My tutorials
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Re: Copyrighting software
[Re: Tobias_Runde]
#83348
07/26/06 13:42
07/26/06 13:42
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818 Minot, North Dakota, USA
ulillillia
OP
Senior Expert
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OP
Senior Expert
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818
Minot, North Dakota, USA
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It's otherwise the same in the US, but registering it gives added advantages and that's what I'm after. I can't tell if form VA is what I need (or what form I need as is). That's why I posted this question.
"You level up the fastest and easiest if you do things at your own level and no higher or lower" - useful tip
My 2D game - release on Jun 13th; My tutorials
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Re: Copyrighting software
[Re: Excessus]
#83350
07/26/06 13:59
07/26/06 13:59
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659 San Francisco
JetpackMonkey
Serious User
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Serious User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
San Francisco
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Quote:
As I've stated twice now, I want to register copyright for my game...... .......Neither of these apply to a software program.
Um, the book on the link I gave you is specifically for copyrighting software.
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Re: Copyrighting software
[Re: JetpackMonkey]
#83351
07/26/06 14:03
07/26/06 14:03
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818 Minot, North Dakota, USA
ulillillia
OP
Senior Expert
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OP
Senior Expert
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,818
Minot, North Dakota, USA
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From the other forum I frequent, Form TX is actually what I need as that is what is used to copyright computer software. I must've overlooked that "what form do I use" link.... Thanks though for trying.
"You level up the fastest and easiest if you do things at your own level and no higher or lower" - useful tip
My 2D game - release on Jun 13th; My tutorials
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