TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Freelancers: Copyright your work From:Peter <pnewman1 -at- home -dot- com> To:Michael Andrew Uhl <uhl -dot- mike -at- epamail -dot- epa -dot- gov> Date:Mon, 01 May 2000 18:05:00 -0400
Michael Andrew Uhl wrote:
>
> I read this article and I find the court's logic lacking and its
> reasoning quite tortuous. How is that the magazine is copyrighted but
> not its contents? And, even given the court's refusal to give protection
> to the author, doesn't the magazine publisher deserve a remedy?
>
> I hope I'm missing something really simple here.
>
> -Mike
Your not missing a thing. While you have a common law copyright from the
instant of first publication, you have no enforcement rights unless you
register. The reasoning is not tortured, just followed the plain
language of the applicable statutes. Prior to reading the case I had
been under the impression that registration was merely notification.
But, it seems that registration is a prerequisite to bringing a lawsuit
to protect your rights.
--
Peter
Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig.
You soon realize they both enjoy it.
