copyright notice

[Don Steiny]

In article <1073 at ecsvax.UUCP>, dgary at ecsvax.UUCP writes:
> In article <1536 at wanginst.UUCP> mckeeman at wanginst.UUCP (William McKeeman) writes:
> >*                      ShareWare Copyright Notice                        *
> >*               Copyright I.M. Author.    month day, year                *
> >*                                                                        *
> >* In recognition of the contributions of those who have gone before, and *
> >* to encourage those who will follow, the attached software is placed in *
> >* The Public Domain.    /s/  I. M. Author  month day, year               *
> 
> William says this lets the author retain copyright while permitting the
> work to be freely copied.  I'm pretty sure that's not the case.  If you
> "place something in the public domain" you have just given up your
> copyright, by definition of "public domain."  Far safer is to say
> "permission is hereby granted to copy and use this work except for
> profit" or words to that effect.

	You are apparently confusing trade secrets with copyrights.
According to "Legal Care for Your Software", by Danial Remer, Nolo
Press, p. 25 "A copyright, theorietically, is automatically born
the instant the program is transfered from your mind to paper or
floppy disk or other fixed form."  There is no reason you 
cannot copyright something and give it away.

> 
> 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*!

	It is not even necessary to register a copyright.  The more
steps you take to protect yourself the easier it is to collect money
if your copyright is infringed.   
-- 
scc!steiny
Don Steiny @ Don Steiny Software 
109 Torrey Pine Terrace
Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060
(408) 425-0382