content ownership & copyright

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  • xfizz
    New Member
    • Dec 2001
    • 2

    content ownership & copyright

    I'm considering vBulletin, and hope to have some clarification on concerning the implications of copyright. I've search these forums, and am aware of the "powered by" annoyances that some users have. It also appears that removal of the Jelsoft copyright might be something that can be purchased beyond the standard licenses offered.

    My concern is that the Jelsoft copyright does not distinguish between source code (ie. mode of delivery) and content (ie. posts by myself or site visitors). So, legally, Jelsoft could take content from my website, and use it for whatever it wanted... correct? including logos, buttons, content generated by other scripts, my customize pre-processed php code embedded into scripts (my hacks), etc? So if vBulletin is run on, say 8,000 servers, Jelsoft owns the copyright to the content of 8,000 websites.

    This is a *major* concern... not just by me, but also by my visitors (ie. trade associations) who make public announcements on my boards and want to -know- (trust) who is copyrighting their work. No need to reply with "just get over it or buy the copyright". If I am correct (which is what I'm asking), I just think it would be prudent for Jelsoft to make this issue more apparent before each sale (ie. post an 'uncopyrighted' license price).
  • George L
    Former vBulletin Support
    • May 2000
    • 32996
    • 3.8.x

    #2
    take a read of http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html

    Copyright automatically exists when content is created... so no Jelsoft do not own any right's to your sites content. And yes there is a 1 time fee for removal of copyright notices which applies to all vB licenses a person has -> you can have several vB licenses with no copyright for 1 time fee
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    • WizyWyg
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2001
      • 1309
      • 2.3.0

      #3
      Re: content ownership & copyright

      Originally posted by xfizz
      I'm considering vBulletin, and hope to have some clarification on concerning the implications of copyright. I've search these forums, and am aware of the "powered by" annoyances that some users have. It also appears that removal of the Jelsoft copyright might be something that can be purchased beyond the standard licenses offered.

      My concern is that the Jelsoft copyright does not distinguish between source code (ie. mode of delivery) and content (ie. posts by myself or site visitors). So, legally, Jelsoft could take content from my website, and use it for whatever it wanted... correct? including logos, buttons, content generated by other scripts, my customize pre-processed php code embedded into scripts (my hacks), etc? So if vBulletin is run on, say 8,000 servers, Jelsoft owns the copyright to the content of 8,000 websites.

      Nope, they do not own "the threads", "postings", "avatars", "attachements" , "images" or anything that YOU add to it.

      ALL they have copyrighted is the software (coding, php templates, vbbcodes) as it is delivered to you. Whatever yOU add or modify to it, is bascially yours.

      IF they own the content for which your board is used for, then they woud be VERY much pulling down the many websites that use their software for questionable topics and forums (ie WAREZ sites, Porn sites, adult sites, hacking sites, etc etc).

      This is a *major* concern... not just by me, but also by my visitors (ie. trade associations) who make public announcements on my boards and want to -know- (trust) who is copyrighting their work. No need to reply with "just get over it or buy the copyright". If I am correct (which is what I'm asking), I just think it would be prudent for Jelsoft to make this issue more apparent before each sale (ie. post an 'uncopyrighted' license price).

      Actually, YOU should be more worried about the copyright policies of your WEBHOST and ISP since they virtually OWN your space and files that you upload and CAN do whatever they please with it.

      No, Jelsoft only has the copyright on the software that is delivered to you (via the download) anything else added to it, is soley yours.
      There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't

      Comment

      • tubedogg
        Senior Member
        • Feb 2001
        • 13602

        #4
        Jelsoft has no interest in your posts/threads/images etc. You are free to add your own copyright to the footer. As it is the default copyright makes it pretty clear that the copyright refers to Jelsoft owning vBulletin. You could run the two lines together and separate with a comma, then add your own line, like
        Powered by: vBulletin Version 2.2.1, Copyright ©2000, 2001, Jelsoft Enterprises Limited.
        Content copyright © 2001 MySite.com. Individual posts are the sole property of their poster.

        There is a no-copyright license. It applies to all licenses that you own. Please email [email protected] for more information on that license.

        Comment

        • xfizz
          New Member
          • Dec 2001
          • 2

          #5
          thank

          thank you for the replies... i've requested a price quote without the copyright... if the copyright is retained, it seems that kevin's method (copyrights on separate lines, with content copyright specifically indicated) would be the best approach

          regards -

          Comment

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