Developers Copyright Laws (Code Rights)

[mooeypoo]

I was thinking recently how I can protect my own code as a copyright material. Seeing as I publish it online, it is a somewhat of a problem.

 

I found this: http://haacked.com/archive/2006/01/24/TheDevelopersGuideToCopyrightLaw-Part1.aspx

 

But I was wondering if anyone here knows or has any opinions/thoughts about this. I'm not sure if this was discussed before, but it's a major concern to any developer (newbie or professional) that intends to either build something for someone else, or publish his system on the outside world.

 

I guess server-side programming (like PHP) is a bit less of a problem because the code isn't visible. But what about Javascript? copying it is a matter of minutes, technically. So the only question is - if you publish a website system that succeeds in making money and someone steals your codes - do you have true ownership over them? Do you have legal rights? Or is there a place (like there is one for screenwriters, novelists and inventors) to pay money (sadly, lots of it) and 'register' your code as protected property rights?

 

Anyhoo.. your thoughts?

 

~moo

[Pangloss]

I think it's an excellent question, especially with regard to Javascript. Microsoft has just made a massive push into Javascript, incorporating numerous JS-related tools in Visual Studio 2008. (Under VS2005 there was no JS support whatsoever.) This means the advent of (not to put anyone down here, but let's be honest) second-tier programmers into the realm of client-side coding. So I predict we're going to see a lot more people stealing JS code in the very near future.

 

But Mooey, it's all free right? If I can download free movies and free MP3 files, shouldn't I be able to download free code too?!?!?!?!?!!!!!1111one

[mooeypoo]

Heh, well if you *want* to share your code, sure.

 

If you're being paid (or depending on a possibly-profitable system) then anti-theft is pretty important.