If you are building a website for your company, then you need to understand everything to develop a secure site and protect it. We know that you may have a few questions about the things you have to do. Some of the most common ones are: When should you consider getting a copyright for your website? How to copyright a website? What elements of a website can be protected? When should you register a website? In this informative post, we will answer all these questions regarding copyright registration.
What is a Copyright?
Copyright is a legal protection given to a website and it's elements so that no one can use it. For instance- images, content, etc., can be protected as original. After that, no one can use your copyrighted website or any of its elements for their personal or business purpose. Only you have the right to permit its use.
Copyright is governed by copyright act 1957 and rules of copyright in India. The Indian government has set up the copyright office to look after all the matters related to copyright.
When should you consider getting your Copyright Website?
There are several reasons behind why you should copyright your website. We have mentioned some of the key ones just below.
1. If your website contains original or fresh concepts and the vital information that generated profits.
2. If your website is copyrighted, then you will be eligible for statutory damages with attorney's fees in case a lawsuit is successful. You also have a right to claim damages from the infringer.
3. If some of the third parties' websites are replicating the content of your website and have started viewing your website.
4. If you have started losing online sales and profits due to content duplication.
5. Copyright Registration in India provides protection to you against the infringement in India and abroad, although your work was first published in India as India is a member of the Berne Convention.
What a Copyright Covers?
Copyrighting a website means it protects artistic work of yours. This could be anything like basic design of your website's web pages, graphics, HTML, audio and video, web content and also website links.
Remember, a copyright can't cover procedures, ideas or techniques of operation. You can't copyright the way you have created the design but can copyright your web design.
What Documents are required for Copyright?
Some of the important documents required before a website copyright are mentioned below.
· Your name, address and nationality
· The work author's name, address and nationality
· Title of the work and language of the work
· Whether the work is published or unpublished. If your work is published, then you need to provide the year and country of first publication with the publisher's name, address and nationality.
· If the publisher and the applicant are two different persons, then NOC (No Objection Certificate) is required.
· If any other person is authorized to assign the rights in the copyright, the name, address and nationality.
· Power of attorney for the company and 2 copies of your work.
How to Copyright a Website?
If you want to copyright your website, then you must follow some steps which are mentioned just below.
Step 1: Visit the Copyright Registration website
The first step is to visit the website of the copyright office and log in to the electronic Copyright office Registration system. Create an account, scroll down the page, and there are different categories you can register on the website. Remember, the copyright office also provides a chart that provides details about the type of digital works in this category.
Step 2: Fill your Application Form
After creating an account and logging in, now you have to fill out the required information in the application form. Some of this information include title of work, date of first publication, name and address, name of author (you or your company), etc. After submitting this information, now you need to pay the fee.
Remember, if any no objection is raised, then your application proceeds to be examined by the examiner. If any discrepancy is found in the application, then you will be given a chance to justify your case and will be subject to hearing if deemed essential. In case there are no discrepancies, then the examiner will allow all the materials related to copyright proceed for registration.
Step 3: Pay the Fee
Once the application is completed, you have to pay the fee. You can pay the fee by your credit or debit card. The website will take you to an online payment system or gateway for the copyright office. The payment system will send you back to the Registration website once the payment is done.
Step 4: Upload Copies of Your Work
Once the filing of application form and payment is done, now you have to submit the work. You can upload copies of your work or even can mail them to the copyright office. But, most of the applicants prefer to upload documents online instead of mailing them.
One you have uploaded the copies, your copyright process is completed.
When to Register your Copyright?
Remember, the sooner, the better. We recommend that your work must be registered prior to it being available for other people to view. This is because Registration of copyright provides evidence of your work from the date of registration.
As you can see in this informative post that copyright protection of a website is very vital as anyone can copy your work. But, online Copyright/ Patent Registration in India will provide protection for it. If anyone tries to breach your right, then that person will get punishment under the copyright act 1957. So, if you want to get copyright for your business website, then contact ExpertBells right now.
With the help of their copyright experts you can protect your creative work before it's too late. Copyright Registration is a 100% online process. So, start processing now!