Best way to copyright scripts.

[CrackFeed.Com]

I am curious, what is the best way to copyright scripts, to have proof that you were the original author? I have heard that you can put the script on disk and mail it to yourself and the postal date stamp is accepted as evidence in court. Anyone know about this? My partners and I have had issues with this in the past and want to cover this end before releasing our new line of PHP6 software.

 

[qbert220]

Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. Anything contained in this post (or any of my other posts for that matter ) may be incorrect.

Firstly, you don't need to do anything special to copyright something. Published works are automatically copyrighted under the Berne convention. What you may need is proof that you own copyright at some time later. Your sworn statement may be enough for a court.

Mailing material to yourself is commonly known as poor man's copyright. It can be easily faked, so may not be acceptable proof of copyright to a court. A better (but more costly) approach is to file for copyright with a copyright office.

 

[CrackFeed.Com]

Thank you Q*bert, much appreciated.

 

[nasaboy007]

i've always heard that mailing it to yourself is a valid way of maintaining your copyright (assuming you keep the original letter sealed and it has the post office's stamp on it for the date you sent it). all of my engineering courses always taught that this was a valid method of preventing copyright theft as long as the judge opened the letter his/herself. however, i do see how it can be spoofed - all one would need is a stamp that looks the same as the post office's

 

[action012]

Just file with the copyright office you can do it yourself they have the forms on their site. I did it with one script I wrote I think it cost about $45.00 if I remember but that's been a few years back. Took about two weeks to get the Certificate of Registration back . I believe software and scripts fall under written text category.

As other have stated I'm not an Lawyer so be sure to do your own due diligents.

 

[CrackFeed.Com]

Hmmm, if mailed as certified mail requiring a signature, the USPS would have records and I would have the reciept. So if spoofing id the issue, perhaps this is the way to go. Thanks peeps!

 

[qbert220]

i do see how it can be spoofed - all one would need is a stamp that looks the same as the post office's

Imagine you mailed yourself an empty (unsealed) envelope 5 years ago. Today you could put printed material into it and seal it. You've now got "proof" that you wrote the material 5 years ago.

 

[CrackFeed.Com]

Dang it, you are right *sad face* LOL!