Klarinet Archive - Posting 000722.txt from 1998/10

From: Note Staff Unlimited <notestaff@-----.ch>
Subj: Re: [kl] copyright advice (was "attention composer
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 20:33:55 -0400

klarinet@-----.org schrieb:

> >Here's my two cents on copyright advice/protection:
> >
> >As a freelance writer (and as-yet-unheralded screenwriter), there is
> >the rare occasion when I wish to have extra-strong proof of authorship
> >of a piece. Rather than go through the registration process for
> >"official" copyright, I simply mail myself a copy of the story
> >(manuscript, review, etc.), and file the unopened, postmarked envelope
> >when I receive it. This is MUCH cheaper than the $20 registration
> >fee, and is pretty much as legally viable as an official registration.
> > This is a common practice among writers, and I don't see why it
> >wouldn't work for composers, too.
> >
> >Robin
>
> A common and *incorrect* practice. As a lawyer who practices (and
> occasionally teaches) intellectual property, I hear this one a lot. Many
> people think that they can save money by writing down their invention or
> song, and mailing it to themself. Unfortunately, it is not considered
> evidence or proof of anything. Ask anyone with a postage meter...
>
> You have copyright automatically, the moment you fix your work of
> authorship in a tangible medium (if you'll excuse the legalese). If you
> want the benefits of registering the copyright, you must register it.
> There simply is no substitute. Certainly, a certificate of copyright is
> better evidence that you created your work on or before the deposit date
> shown on the certificate. If it is important enough to take the time to
> mail it to yourself, its also worth the $20 to properly register it. Just
> be glad you aren't spending several thousand dollars for a patent
> application....
>
> Grant Green
>
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
> Grant Green gdgreen@-----.com
> http://www.contrabass.com
> +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------

and besides all those logical objections, what if (and this is not really all
that hypothetical) someone (wife, kids, cleaning lady, etc.) opened the
envelope by mistake???
Well, OK, that with the cleaning lady was maybe a bit hypothetical....

David

David Glenn, notestaff@-----.ch

P.S. And it's *really* cheaper than patents. We know. My wife has one. And
it's not by any means finished with the application. If you want to keep
taking advantage of it, it gets more expensive every year!

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