New pic I copyrighted

Did you draw the picture yourself, to do the copyright???

Looks like it was stolen from someone else, most likely by scanning a document.

I'm not positive of this, but I think that, unlike a patent, copyrights don't have to be actually filed. Just a notice of "copyright" is sufficient.

BUT, the text and/or artwork MUST be original.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong on this.

marv said:

I'm not positive of this, but I think that, unlike a patent, copyrights don't have to be actually filed. Just a notice of "copyright" is sufficient.

Click to expand...

exactly, you can slap copyright on anything

http://www.copyright.gov/

not anything really...

How much do I have to change in order to claim copyright in someone else's work?
Only the owner of copyright in a work has the right to prepare, or to authorize someone else to create, a new version of that work. Accordingly, you cannot claim copyright to another's work, no matter how much you change it, unless you have the owner's consent.

Well, I need some clarification, for the lamen. What exactly is the new invention that is being copy writed, the pic or some new idea?

Walt, in that context, a new "invention" is a new creation you have made.

In Ryan's case, if he invents a new cable harness, he should patent those different things that make his harness better than any other harness. If he draws diagrams and writes text instructions for installing it, they should be copyrighted. If he publicly posts images of his invention on the Internet (a problem he's already had), they should be watermarked with his registered trademark.

I see understand what you are saying marv, and I now remember the hastle he went through with the wiring harness, I just don't know what he is showing here. Doesn't matter, I'm glad Ryan is safeguarding himself though.

Yes we deal with copyrights all the time where I work because we make maps. If he didnt draw those images he cannot copyright them...that would be like someone scanning a piece of our map and copyrighting it which is a no no...when someone wants to reproduce a copyrighted piece they have to get a written notice from us before they can. We actually caught a magazine one time that had scanned one of our railroad maps lightly in the background and used it....the owner of our company called them up and called them out and they admitted to it and had to pay a larger then normal fee for the use plus free advertising...

That's the beauty of capitalism...if you make something unique, it's YOUR invention or intellectual property to do with as you please. YOU have the option to sell or give it away.