How to go about copyrights for original programs, games, etc?

Question

I just finished a game for a certain mobile device. I'm just entertaining the idea of copyrighting my work. How does one do this? I really have no idea so any help is great!

A friend who has some patents said that "you automatically own the copyright to anything original that you create." hmm not sure about this.

note: I support OSS, no I don't want to be mean and sue people. I'm just curious.

Thanks!

Answer 1

In the US, you do by default own copyright, however a Lawyer is really your best option in regards to getting the 100% truth on the matter. It is worth a few bucks if you really want to protect yourself.

Answer 2

You can copyright your source code, or include a notice with your application.

This should include your name, copyright © and the date (or just the year). See http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.pdf

E.G.

© 2008 John Smith

If you really want to protect your application you should release it under some sort of license.

Answer 3

If you're in the US, this might help: http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

Answer 4

You own the copyright, but it is better to put a copyright notice in your source files so everyone can see that it's you who owns the copyright.

Something like:

// (c) 2008 MrDatabase ([email protected])

should do the trick.

OSS is a question of licensing, not copyright.

You can choose anything you want (MIT, Apache, LGPL, GPL), have a look at Open Source Licenses if you want to go open source. A license says what others may do with the code you created, and does not remove your copyright on the lines of code which you have created.

The FAQ about GPL explains some things about licensing in terms a normal person can understand.

Answer 5

This is one for a lawyer, but as I understand the basics (in the US):

• Copyright is immediate and automatic. Once you create the code it has a copyright.
• The owner of that copyright depends on the circumstances. If you are on your own, you own it. If you are an employee acting on the job, the company owns it. (If you are a contractor you own it, unless your contract says something different.)
• Notice is not required for the copyright to exist, but adding the notice can create some benefits (such as payment of attorneys' fees) if there ever is an infringement suit.
• Similarly, registering with the copyright office is not required (but gives some benefits) until and unless you wish to sue someone for infringement (thus, hopefully, never).