[bishop93]

Originally Posted by SupremeWeapon

first your statments were wrong, for it to have any precedance(sp) in court it must have a valid united states or other country patent/copyright for it. "internet" copyrights have no wieght in a court battle.

THIS is the biggest load of nonsense around. Mink's statements are not only correct, but backed up by law. If anyone actually took the time to read a little bit from the Copyright Office, they'd see that a registered copyright is not only NOT necessary, but that it only serves to make a record in order to ease legal proceedings.

From the Copyright Office:

When is my work protected?
Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work.

Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?
Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law.

However, this latter isn't even completely true. There are multiple cases of record for copyright claims that have been won without registration. Registration only makes such a case a bit more cut and dry than not having something registered. Lawyers go to court all the time to establish "copyright date" (i.e., when it was first fixed in tangible form) so that people can have their rightful claims. It's just more of a pain to do without registration and you cannot claim certain kinds of recompense for damages. But there is no law that states that you cannot go to court over copyrights if you do not have something registered. (Not that I recommend it, just that it is possible.)

Next time you guys want to play lawyer, use a little common sense (like reading reading a little bit of law) or go to law school.

And, besides, I believe that it was you that made such ridiculous claims about Fair Use -- another concept that you should take the time to read a little law about before spouting off nonsense (or get sued).