kadie@SEISMO.ARPA (02/16/86)
> Incidentally, Americans should note that if you put a copyright notice > on something you are legally obligated to send a copy to the Library of > Congress *whether or not you choose to register your copyright claim*! > If you elect not to register, you need not send any fee, just the work > itself. (This does wonders for the L of C acqusitions budget.) People > choosing to assert copyright in other countries should check their > domestic laws. > > Usual disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, but I have a long-standing interest > in copyright law. I believe this is incorrect. The Copyright Office's R1 circular says on page 5: " HOW TO SECURE A COPYRIGHT Copyright Secured Automatically Upon Creation The way in which copyright protection is secured under the present law is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright under the present law, unlike the previous law, which required either publication with the copyright notice or registration in the Copyright Office.... Under the prsent law, copyright is secure automatically ------------- when the work is created, and a work is 'created' when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time." For more information write: Information & Publication Section LM-455 Copyright Office Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 20559 And ask for information about or regestration forms for computer software. Or call (202) 287-9100 and leave recorded request. Or call (202) 287-8700 during business hours for information. ----------------- Carl M. Kadie - U. of Illinois