Forum Moderators: not2easy
I am working on my own web site. I am not pursuing any profit, but doing this for fun.
Currently, site is, more or less, ready and I am about to open it to the public (if anyone will bother to visit it...).
Everything you see on the site, created by me. This includes, HTML layout and code, graphics, CMS system, articles and texts. The only exception is that some parts of CMS system were written by someone else and distributed under GPL.
I was wondering what is the best way to protect my creation from copying. I am especially worried about couple of articles that I wrote and published. Also, I would like to know how do I make sure that visitors aware of copyright protection.
Finally, all material presented on my site sit inside of database and not in files. Does it matter?
Thanks in advance.
At best, you can put a clear copyright notice below any article or page reminding the reader about your copyrights.
If these issues trouble so much, it is best not publish them at all. Off the Net, no one will copy them, but no one will see them.
The first line is all you need to make your intentions clear, though it is not required by law.
The second line is really optional, but it lets everyone know that you place a value on your work, and you expect to be paid for it, but in a friendly way.
Do not put one of those draconian copyright notices up with all sorts of threats. They will likely lead to more copying of your content and generally leave people with a bad feeling about your site.
Of course, none of this really makes any difference. The only thing that will make a difference is actively persuing infringers, which can be a lot of work.
And since you are using GPL software, why not give something back to the community? Chose some of your software to also realse under the GPL, or release some of your content under the CCL. Others gave freely to you, you could pass it along.
1) Be sure to credit any external sources of materials. This shows that you play fairly, and by implication, that you expect others to do the same.
2) Google up 'Copyscape'. Once in a long while you can put in URLs for pages you worry about, and this will look up possible copied / scraped content.
Short excerpts for review or reference are considered fair use.
Best - Larry
