I've just updated a website for a client to show their charges for 2008.

 

Whilst changing the 2007 to 2008 I noticed that on my original design I put Copyright 2007 at the bottom as I have always done (for whatever year) on every web page I've ever produced (I think)

 

But why?

 

Should I now change it to 2008, leave as 2007 or put 2007 - 8 etc. etc. or should I not bother at all.

 

Embarrassing as it is I've always put this on because everyone else does.

 

I've never studied the legalities and don't know whether I could enforce the copyright if I had to challenge someone.

 

Does anybody actually know the laws / rules or like me has everyone just done it "because that's what you do"

I normally put 2007-2008, but I use a PHP script to show the current year, so I don't have to update anything

i tend to put "2007 onwards", or for sites I do this year "2008 onwards" - it covers all the bases!

It's enough to put the year originally published. If the content is updated you can update to 2007-2008 indicating there's content with varied copyright starting date. Copy rights expire after a certain amount of years. This differs from country to country.

I would change the year to a range (2007-2008) just so people looking at the site don't think it's not been updated.

 

Technically speaking, content is copyrighted as soon as it's created, and that's enforceable if you can trace the history of it (like if you could show them you started this design on January 5, 2007, or whatever). You don't necessarily need to file with the copyright office, although for larger bodies of work (like books) you obviously should.

I use PHP so it automatically updates.. easier than going round a dozen sites updating it

Okay, a few of you use PHP to change the year. Care to share the method for this?

Real quick and easy:

 

Copyright <?php echo date('Y'); ?>

shorter code would be:

<?=date("Y");?>

, but it achievesthe same thing.

Thanks.

 

I'm assuming this pulls the year from the user's clock (in the system tray)?

 

Sincerely,

The PHP Dummy

no, it pulls the year from the system clock, ie the clock of the server.

Ah ha. Thanks!

no, it pulls the year from the system clock, ie the clock of the server.

 

 

I know this isn't the appropriate place to ask, but what if I wanted to change the day I updated the website?

I wish I had not started this topic as I appear to have put a curse on myself.

 

I was checking the stats on one of my sites and followed back to a forum that had naff all to do with the subject of the site.

 

A poster on the forum had "stolen" an image from my site and made no attempt to disguise the fact and doctored the image to make it look funny and used it on fairly abusive thread. I am a believer that everything on the net should be free and there should be (almost) complete freedom of speech - unless I am the victim.

 

The site owner (my wife) had written permission from the owner of the image to display it on her site but no one else has. It showed a well known celebrity wearing one of her products so its a bit sensitive.

 

Anyway I have telephoned the owner of the forum and asked them to remove the post / image (politely yet firmly). I read their terms and it warns posters not to use copyrighted material or be abusive etc. etc.

 

So we will soon see whether my copyright is worth anything?

 

That sucks!

 

Good luck with getting it sorted out, liquid, and please keep us updated.

I know this isn't the appropriate place to ask, but what if I wanted to change the day I updated the website?

 

do you mean something like this

Copyright <?=date("l");  ?> // output : Copyright Tuesday

shorter code would be:

<?=date("Y");?>

, but it achievesthe same thing.

 

Blimey, didn't realise it was that easy!

Will be using this from now on!

Man I love the simple thing in PHP that make life so easy!

I gotta learn PHP.

Hi!

 

I used this php code for my websites.

It's very useful!

Thanks!

 

shorter code would be:

<?=date("Y");?>

, but it achievesthe same thing.