powered by and copyright

Hi a bit of an odd question... i have noticed that software companies tend to have the words powered by, as well as copyright on their software. for example, "software name powered by company name copyright 2008" however, this is just one example and no one seems to have a set structure i.e. some have it "powered by software name, copyright company name and year" i cant seem to find any information firstly on why do people use powered by and in what context, and what is the best way to add these (including the copyright) to your software like i said, and odd question... but would appreciate your feedback on what you do thanks

I use it only within projects that use my own frameworks or products as their backbone. !k Hi a bit of an odd question... i have noticed that software companies tend to have the words powered by, as well as copyright on their software. for example, "software name powered by company name copyright 2008" however, this is just one example and no one seems to have a set structure i.e. some have it "powered by software name, copyright company name and year" i cant seem to find any information firstly on why do people use powered by and in what context, and what is the best way to add these (including the copyright) to your software like i said, and odd question... but would appreciate your feedback on what you do thanks

Ok thanks, in the product we are working on , it does use our own framework in the background therefore how do you write this down. i.e. we have a company name and a product name, therefore is it: ... [product name] powered by [company name] copyright 2008 all rights reserved or... how do you do it thanks ----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more -----

----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more ----- I would do  a copyright from start year to end year, that way if you need to bring a lawsuit to light you have more protection. Of course registration at the time it's created assists as well. http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#mywork *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. See Circular 1, *Copyright Basics*, section "Copyright Registration<http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#cr>;." *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. See Circular 1, *Copyright Basics*, section "Copyright Registration<http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#cr>;" and Circular 38b <http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ38b.pdf>;, *Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) *, on non-U.S. works.

> http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html#mywork This is in the US, and I assume Richard is in the UK. >  why do people use powered by and in what context Promotion, of the thing they're 'powered by', I would think. If I made a kick-ass public site using someone else's stuff, it would be nice to be able to say they help with it. The license of the 'powered by' item may also *require* such a notice (i.e. 'creative commons attribution share-alike') or prohibit one(!). > what is the best way to add these (including the copyright) to your software Ask a lawyer :-) Followed by a copy writer (someone who edits, not the other sense!). I'd be tempted, as my/our code is in a source control system that can prove when we created it, to just go with something simple, in which case either of "FooApplication, powered by BazFramework. Copyright Something #year(now())#." or "FooApplication, copyright Something #year(now())#. Powered by BazFramework." Some 'powered by' items include icons/buttons too, which may look nice if they fit the theme of your site - but check if you are allowed to use them without permission and/or modify them. -- Tom Chiverton **************************************************** This email is sent for and on behalf of Halliwells LLP. Halliwells LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales under registered number OC307980 whose registered office address is at Halliwells LLP, 3 Hardman Square, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3EB.  A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office. Any reference to a partner in relation to Halliwells LLP means a member of Halliwells LLP.  Regulated by The Solicitors Regulation Authority. CONFIDENTIALITY This email is intended only for the use of the addressee named above and may be confidential or legally privileged.  If you are not the addressee you must not read it and must not use any information contained in nor copy it nor inform any person other than Halliwells LLP or the addressee of its existence or contents.   If you have received this email in error please delete it and notify Halliwells LLP IT Department on 0870 365 2500. For more information about Halliwells LLP visit www.halliwells.com.

>> This is in the US, and I assume Richard is in the UK. Even with that said here is a good reference on US Copyright law http://smallbusiness.findlaw.com/copyright/ Unfortunately I ran into copyright issues a few years back and found this site to be invaluable. G$ On Tue, May 27, 2008 at 11:44 AM, Tom Chiverton < tom.chiverton@halliwells.com> wrote: ----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more -----

thanks for all your help. i remembered that someone advised us to add the 'powered by' because parts of our software allows 'whiteboarding' which is to customize the look and feel to the customer, and therefore it appears as if it is their own. so of course we needed a way of showing that it is powered by our software product and copyrighted to our company. thanks for your help and links, i think we got it right now :) but your absolutely right, we need to get our lawyer to verify it. i was initially thinking it was as easy as knowing how to write it so thanks for making me aware that this is an issue that needs the correct attention. richard