Re: [epub] UK/US Copyright Law

[Cathy Stucker <cstucker@xxxxxxxxx>]

From: Cathy Stucker <cstucker@flash.net>

Ben, an invention is normally covered by patent law, not copyright.
Copyright generally covers words and images.  Patents cover inventions and
processes.  Further complicating all of this is trademark law.

The area of intellectual property law (especially internationally) is
incredibly complex.  I'm not an attorney (and don't even play one on TV)
;o)  so I'm not an expert on this.  However, as a matter of survival I've
had to learn something about each area of intellectual property.

Copyrights generally apply to words and images, including written
documents, photos, drawings, software, etc.  You can't copyright a word or
a title, and you can't copyright an idea.  Only the expression of an idea
is subject to copyright.

Trademarks usually cover brand names, logos, packaging and such.  In some
cases, you may be able to trademark a title.  When you see "TM", "SM" or an
"R" in a circle, that means you are looking at something that someone has
claimed a trademark on.

Patents cover inventions, recipes, processes, etc.  This would include
things such as the design of a piece of equipment, a drug formula, or a way
of doing something.  For example, priceline.com is trying to claim a patent
on selling stuff the way they do.  Patents exist for a limited period,
after which others can make and sell the item, use the process, etc.
That's why you see generic drugs--the patents have expired.  Coca-Cola has
not patented their formula, because they want to keep it secret, and
patents are public record.

Have your eyes glazed over yet?  Anyway, patents and trademarks require a
registration process which is more difficult and costly than copyright.
Copyright (at least in the US) exists as soon as you create something in
fixed form (e.g., print it on a page).  You can register it by filling out
a form and paying $30.  Trademarks cost $245, + expenses (from a few
dollars to thousands) and patents typically cost thousands to register,
because you almost always need an attorney.

Hope this provides some insight on the subject!

Cathy Stucker
cathy@idealady.com    http://www.idealady.com/

At 02:13 PM 11/30/1999 -0000, you wrote:
>From: "Siteria" <mail-in@siteria.net>
>Are you people seriously trying to tell me that by posting myself the plans
>to the worlds best invention I have therefore copyrighted it??
>That sounds absolutely crazy to me....
>If this was true, surely when you found a company to produce millions of
>these things that the world cannot live without, and posted them the design
>plans to make the thing, (recorded delivery of course) they would then own
>the plans, and the copyright to your design, leaving you with nothing.
>Ben

Cathy Stucker, The Idea Lady(tm)
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cathy@idealady.com

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