Hello, My name is Mark, and I am seeking to create a web site for tutorials for photoshop, flash, and a bit of after effects and photoshop. I also will make things like presets for after effects, and icons and such to download for free.
Do I NEED to do any copyrighting of the site? Do I need to become a legal entity or something? I am not going to be selling anything, it will all be for free. I will just put you know, Copyright (WEB SITE NAME) 2007 or something. That will be enough am I right?
Tutorials Website
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CopyrightAid
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- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:48 pm
Hi Mark
Yes..
You will be the copyright owner of all content you create yourself, as this is the automatic right of the author.
You are correct to include a copyright notice on your website (and other files you create). This is not legally required, but it's good to remind people..
A typical notice would simply state:copyright © [year of publication/creation], [Your name] i.e.
You do not need to do anything else.
If you want, you can register the site somewhere like the UKCS, which ensures that there is an independent record of your claim, but it is not necessary to do this.
Yes..
You will be the copyright owner of all content you create yourself, as this is the automatic right of the author.
You are correct to include a copyright notice on your website (and other files you create). This is not legally required, but it's good to remind people..
A typical notice would simply state:copyright © [year of publication/creation], [Your name] i.e.
Instead of your name, (I inserted Smith - I don't know your last name), you can simply state the website name as you suggest in your post. This is very common and grants you a degree of anonymity.Copyright © 2007. M. Smith
You do not need to do anything else.
If you want, you can register the site somewhere like the UKCS, which ensures that there is an independent record of your claim, but it is not necessary to do this.
Ok, well thanks very much. Another question. Say after 50 video tutorials, I want to offer a DVD with them in high quality for digital download or DVD. If I say something like, "minimum donation of $20 required" would I still be able to not have to become a legal entity or anything? Also, can I add a paypal donate button without having to become a legal entity? Thanks again.
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CopyrightAid
- Site Admin
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:48 pm
If you want to go into business that's something you need to discuss with a business adviser. As for Paypal - I can't see why not, but check with them if you have any questions.
From a copyright perspective there is nothing to stop you asking for payment.
I presume by 'legal entity' you mean something like a limited company - which exists as a legal entity on it's own right. Certainly in the UK you can set up as a sole trader (a person who operates a business) without the need to incorporate, (you just have to fill in a tax return each year). I don't know where you are based, and cannot really comment on how you would set up a business outside the UK.
From a copyright perspective there is nothing to stop you asking for payment.
I presume by 'legal entity' you mean something like a limited company - which exists as a legal entity on it's own right. Certainly in the UK you can set up as a sole trader (a person who operates a business) without the need to incorporate, (you just have to fill in a tax return each year). I don't know where you are based, and cannot really comment on how you would set up a business outside the UK.