Copyrighting Logo?

[SeanQ87]

How important is it to copyright the logo i create for my company? Is it worth doing?

 

[fisicx]

It's already copyrighted. There is no need for you to do anything.

You hold the copyright for anything you create.

 

[SeanQ87]

It's already copyrighted. There is no need for you to do anything. You hold the copyright for anything you create.

Automatically? So if i create an image on my computer just now and make it my log, and someone else then saves it off my websites and adds it to theirs, i automatically have the right by law to get them to remove it and stop using it? even though i havent signed or done anything saying i own that image?

 

[AllUpHere]

As @fisicx points out, you already have copyright. Do you mean you want to trademark it?

 

[AllUpHere]

Automatically? So if i create an image on my computer just now and make it my log, and someone else then saves it off my websites and adds it to theirs, i automatically have the right by law to get them to remove it and stop using it? even though i havent signed or done anything saying i own that image?

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.

 

[paulears]

Yes. The only difficulty is that you have to prove you did it first, and for that there are many failsafe ways.

Many people who create music now do all kinds of electronic on-line stuff, but the very old trick of posting the item to yourself, recorded delivery, and then just filing it away unopened still works - you produce it in court and have it forensically opened - the date stamps proving when it went through the system. If you have this, it would be somewhat foolish for the other party to persist. Its very simple, and can mechanically prove a date.

 

[SeanQ87]

As @fisicx points out, you already have copyright. Do you mean you want to trademark it?

I might mean that..? lol not sure. Just so noone can use that logo for their website? as the logo im making doesnt have my company name on it or anything, its just a design.

 

[SeanQ87]

Yes. The only difficulty is that you have to prove you did it first, and for that there are many failsafe ways.

So once the logo is created, is there something i can do to say i am the owner of that image and no one can use it without my permission?

 

[ethical PR]

No. Unless you trademark it. Then you can add 'tm'. to it.

 

[Gecko001]

So once the logo is created, is there something i can do to say i am the owner of that image and no one can use it without my permission?

You will have automatic copyright protection if the logo was designed by yourself. If the logo was designed by someone else such as a graphic designer they might own the copyright of the logo depending on their terms and conditions.

Trademarking will give you additional protection in that it will be easier to take legal action to prevent someone using the logo and to claim any damages you have suffered from their actions in connection with that use. However, if you own the copyright of the logo, you still have protection under the law and can still use the courts to get them to take the logo down and claim damages.

 

[SeanQ87]

Ah, i see, i understand now, thank you for all your help and replies.

 

[The Byre]

but the very old trick of posting the item to yourself, recorded delivery, and then just filing it away unopened still works - you produce it in court and have it forensically opened - the date stamps proving when it went through the system. If you have this, it would be somewhat foolish for the other party to persist. Its very simple, and can mechanically prove a date.

That method has been debunked here and in the US and elsewhere a thousand times - but the myth persists!

Any competent magician or forger can produce a beautifully signed, sealed envelope with whatever you want inside it. I'll even put old-fashioned sealing wax over the centre joint on the back, if that is what you want.

The only provable copyright, is one that has been published in one form or another.

 

[DavidWH]

When we had a court hearing over someone using a picture from our portfolio, social media was great.

Time & dates of when it was first published in the public domain. Statement from the customer confirming it was their vehicle, and we did it.

Google IPEC, theres a whole court set up for such cases.

 

[obscure]

That method has been debunked here and in the US and elsewhere a thousand times - but the myth persists!

Unfortunately people will still be trotting this one out after the last postman has died and we are all communicating by mind link.

 

[nelioneil]

When we had a court hearing over someone using a picture from our portfolio, social media was great.

Time & dates of when it was first published in the public domain. Statement from the customer confirming it was their vehicle, and we did it.

Google IPEC, theres a whole court set up for such cases.

I read about your victory, you guys did very well.

Copyright is pretty black and white, which some people fail to realise!