Putting together a blog and copyrighting the content

[Robert M]

Putting together a blog and copyrighting the content

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking putting together a blog and had a few questions. The first is in reference to a good blogging system. I've never done a blog and would like something that is easy to work with. It doesn't have to have all sorts of fancy gobbledeecrap. Just a very simple design. I plan to write the entries in a text editor and cut and paste them into whatever blogging system is the blogging system of choice.

The other issue is copyright. I doubt the average blogger thinks about copyrighting their work but to me it's an important consideration. For example… Imagine I develop a blog called, "Robert M reviews…" and write biweekly or monthly reviews about my latest and greatest acquisitions. I may not be a "professional reviewer" but it is my work and I'd like to protect it.

What would be the best way to go about putting together a blog? I have no doubt the copyright office has something in place for situations like this, i.e. send info once every X number of months along with a fee. I figured I ask you for a bit of quick guidance to see if you'd recommend a good starting point or two on the topic.

Thanks for your help,

Robert

[M A V I C]

1. WordPress - preferably the .org version or one from a premium host.

2. It's copyrighted when you create it. Don't worry about officially copyrighting it.

[Robert M]

Mavic,

Thanks for the tip on wordpress. Definitely will check it out. However, copyrighting is a different matter. I know my work is copyrighted when I created it. That doesn't cut it for what I have in mind. While a poor man's copyright is better than nothing (aka sending the work to yourself via registered mail), in this case, I want something that offers more protection. I'll check the copyright office and see if they have an FAQ on this type of situation.

Robert

[Chakravartin]

Just about everything that you write that's original (comes from you) is copyrighted the moment that it's written.

You could include a copyright notice at the bottom of each post on your blog to point that out.

Registration gives you certain rights such as the right to sue and to receive statutory damages.
http://www.directlegal.com/cg_benefits_registration.htm

But you don't have to register your work until you feel the need to sue someone for infringement.

If you do register your work, you have to pay a fee for each registration and provide 2 "best copies" of your work. When newspapers do that, they typically register an entire month's newspapers at once as a "collective work" and provide copies on microfilm or in specially bound volumes. It's a big PITA and it's expensive and only the big guys bother.

Read the FAQ for more info:
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/

[Robert M]

Chak,

Exactly. I want the rights that come with registration. Currently, I have individual works registered but that's about it but I've never registered a web site or something along the lines of a web site, i.e. blog. I suspect using a method similar to what newspapers do will be my method of choice, though it won't involve microfilm. The PITA and expense aspect isn't an issue for me. Looks like I need to check out Circular #66 which seems to cover web sites and such.

Many thanks for the link to the FAQ.

Robert

[Grumpyguy]

Wordpress.org. Easy, expandable, and powerful as you want it to be....

As for copyrights, there is a certain amount of fair use that you will have to be comfortable with.

Most people quote a paragraph or two and link back to you, ultimately expanding your audience. That is the nature of blogging.

[M A V I C]

There really aren't that many benefits to registering before an infringement occurs. Statutory damages are one benefit, and I'm not sure there are others besides an additional form of verification (which, in this case, is probably not needed.) You certainly have a right to sue in either case.

One thing I found interesting... http://law.freeadvice.com/intellectual_p...ration.htm
Under current copyright law, you only need to register the blog once. After that, every entry added to the blog is considered copyrighted.

[Robert M]

Grumpy,

Wordpress.com looks pretty good. I've already found a few themes that'll work for me. I've no problem with fair use as you've described it. It's when someone takes fair use and throws it out the window. That's why I want the benefits provided by registration. I haven't had to go after anyone yet but in the event I must, the benefits will make the agita and expense of registration worthwhile.

Thanks again,

Robert

[M A V I C]

Robert M wrote:
Grumpy,

Wordpress.com looks pretty good. I've already found a few themes that'll work for me.

Keep in mind, with wordpress.com you are only allowed to use the plugins or themes they offer, not the hundreds of thousands of other options out there. Grumpy suggested wordpress.org

I've no problem with fair use as you've described it. It's when someone takes fair use and throws it out the window. That's why I want the benefits provided by registration. I haven't had to go after anyone yet but in the event I must, the benefits will make the agita and expense of registration worthwhile.

I suppose I look at it a bit differently.
- If the infringer is small: You're never going to see the funds from statutory damages
- If the infringer is big: They're going to offer a settlement that will likely be more than enough to satisfy you. And if you do go after the statutory damages, they're going to drown you in legal work.

[Robert M]

Mavic,

I know that Grumpy noted wordpress.org and thanked him for the recommendation as I did you. Via wordpress.org I jumped there and found wordpress.com which is much more of the type of solution I am interested in for what I have in mind. Again, thanks for the suggestions. Time to do my homework so I can get started in the near future. I'm very much looking forward to creating the blog and typing away for the my own enjoyment and, just as importantly, the enjoyment of everyone who reads it.

Robert