Copyright is NOT bogus people! Too often people make comments about fake copyright notices on webpages, but there's
no such thing! Almost all original writings are copyrighted as soon as you write them.
I worked hard to created these pages and poems. THEY ARE MINE. If you wish to them in whole, or in part, on your
website or anywhere else, you must ask my permission first (as long as I am given credit I will most likely grant
permission).
How is a Copyright Acquired?
According to U.S. law, a copyright attaches to all "original works of authorship" once they are "fixed in tangible
form," whether published or unpublished. The fixation does not need to be directly perceptible, so long as it may
be communicated with the aid of a machine or device. Ideas, methods, or principles are not protected by
copyright, but their tangible expression can be protected by copyright. Moreover, copyright protects the
tangible expression only, not the idea or principle.
Works of authorship include the following:
literary, musical, and dramatic works; pantomimes and choreographic
works; pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; and sound
recordings. Computer programs and their visual displays can be protected if they are "original works of
authorship".
How Long Does a Copyright Last?
The duration of the copyright is for the life of the author plus 50 years, for works created on or after Jan. 1, 1978.
In the case of joint authors, the life of the last surviving author plus 50 years. In the case of works for hire,
anonymous and pseudonymous works, 75 years from publication or 100 years from creation, whichever is longer.
When a copyright expires, the work enters the public domain.
