Hello, so i am curious how i would go about copyrighting a site. What would actually be protected, my source code (php, html), images, text, Site layout?
site layouts can by copied easily and yes they can by copyrights on them... thats for sure.. clearly you dont know much either, same boat as me, because that did not help one bit especially for someone who doesn't have an attorney.. why would i pay for something i currently don't need..
actually you can get copyright of anything as long the content is from you personal and you do not like people to copy it. But the protection is not high because a simple change of it that will change the whole content. Most of the copyright is for business purpose, which they do not want people to get their template and product sample to share with others other than their website.
Copyright is something that in most countries is automatic. You dont have to "do" anything to get it. The challenge can be in a case of contested copyright of how to prove that your wrote your content before the other party wrote theirs. A solicitor/ lawyer may be able to suggest methods of dealing with this issue. Some of the most basic ones are posting screen prints in an envelope to a fairly neutral party like a solicitor or bank and ask them to store it unopened. Thatway you have a post mark showing a date and it can be "opened in court" to confirm a date of ownership.
You would need to speak with an attorney who specializes in intellectual property law relating to website or I.T field. You can trademark your website if you plan on taking your business internationally but most individuals who operate a small business website or specific interest site do not consider this step to protect their brand or trademark. In the U.S. would you register your Trademark with USPTO or file copyright with U.S. Copyright Office. You can also register a patent. It all comes down to how much $$$$ you're willing to spend to protect your brand from others trying to pirate your hard work.
copyright.gov. However, tttyler333, once you decide that you really need to have or want to have, or might need or want something copyrighted, then do yourself a favor and let your attorney handle it. If you feel that your work deserves the protection, then make sure that it is, indeed, protected.
Thanks for those helpful replies, somewhat what i already read seeing as i was curious. Thanks though for your time too. Well now i guess i'll have to see where things go from here.