Jewitch wrote in message ...
On 1 Aug 2003 08:39:02 -0700, (CrystalLuv)
wrote:

I have been merging my old website (created 2-1-2001) and making major
revisions to my new web site: www.acjewels.com . I am curious how
much of the layout and design is protected by copyright. I think most
people are ethical and polite and they wouldn't need to utilize other
websites for their design layout. If all the page layouts are
custom designed (not using standardized formats) is this type of thing
copyrighted or ignored? I would appreciate any wisdom here. Thanks,
D.Jean (ACJewels)

I wanted to double check before I answered, so I went to the source.
The best place to look for answers about copyright questions is
probably the U.S. Copyright Office. In less than 60 seconds, I found
(http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html) that "The
original authorship appearing on a website may be protected by
copyright. This includes writings, artwork, photographs, and other
forms of authorship protected by copyright. Procedures for registering
the contents of a website may be found in Circular 66, Copyright
Registration for Online Works." This was in answer to the question,
"Can I copyright my website?"

Tante has already provided the information about to describe the
"nature of authorship."

I realize that, especially to web designers, it seems wrong that layouts and
design can't be copyrighted, but it's really common sense. Can't you
imagine a letter from lawyers for Big A** Ham Inc., saying "we own the
copyright for a logo in the upper left hand corner - and by the way, cease
and desist using background color #67489D with text #999999." There are
only so many possible layouts - if they were proprietary, to publish
anything would cause endless bickering.

I still don't understand why typefaces can't be copyrighted. I also don't
understand how the ITC can sell you a license to use a typeface that can't
be copyrighted.

* TL *