What does this © really mean?

[Community Support (Ning 2.0)]

Just wondering what the © really means on the bottom of our networks. I don't really know much about copyrights and how they work, especially with Ning. Are our networks actually copyrighted? Are they copyrighted by us (the NC) or Ning, or both? Like what would happen if somebody took something off of my network and called it their own? Could I sue? I'm just wondering.

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

I think in this instance that "c" refers to Ning's copyright of it's social network platform.  This is Ning's original creation, and as such, it is copyright protected.

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

Actually, on second thought, I think I was wrong with my response, Marshall.  Mine says copyrighted 2010 (which is when I started my network).  So...that's NOT Ning's copyright symbol.  They started this platform a LONG time ago.

 

So...it would be nice to know exactly what that little "c" means and the implications for us creators.  I hope someone "official" responds to this.  Copyright can be a very murky issue.

[Joan]

Do all online boards and platforms have to pay a subscription fee for a copyright year for year? That would explain an update date on the bottom of our Ning NC networks. Just keep an eye on that spot come January 2011.

Even in our waters of networks are laws and lawyer sharks swimming around.

[Samuel Tattersfield]

This is confusing...I know Ning have Copyright on the platform but can we (NC's) copyright our own work that we add to our networks?

[Writer Chick {Diane}]

If something is your ORIGINAL work (I'm talking content here), then it belongs to YOU.  Period.  No one else can use it without your permission, no matter what it says in their TOS.  The kicker is that most of us don't have the money for high-priced lawyers when someone steals our work and misrepresents it as their own.  It's become very hard to enforce copyright law on the internet, which has led to the proposal of the SOPA legislation. 

From the U.S. Copyright Office:  (I have no idea if you're from the U.S., of course)

 Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. 

[Speed Racer]

you can go to the language editor and make it say whatever you want, or remove it altogether.

EDIT......i can't change mine for whatever reason. It says 2011, but I created my site in 2007. I tried to remove the %1$s and simply place 2007 in it, but it didnt take. What does the %1$s reference?

[Lynne Fowler]

I went into the LE and also couldn't change the 2012 but was able to add to what was there. I changed it to:

© 2012   Proud to Serve Three Years - Created, January 19, 2009 by Lynne Fowler - Admin.

[Ed]

Hi guys, 

I don't know exactly what that copyright symbol represents (although I know it looks good with my name next to it - certainly a first step to dissuading people from copying). 

However, I know that with books and software for example, the copyright extends with the year. So, technically, it could be Ning's copyright and it's simply keeping up to date.

Copyright 2007 would not necessarily be valid in 2012 so they need to be updated.

More info on protecting network content would be great though. I find myself forging on blindly and just hoping no one steals my idea/soul.

[Speed Racer]

but mine is stuck on 2011, and it is now 2012. The "%1$s" is referencing something, but what? I'm thinking i can possibly go change what it is referencing....

[Lorelei Halley]

For those in the U.S. the best thing is to check the website of the U.S. Copyright office.  They have loads of information sheets about how to copyright various kinds of things.