How far does copyright cover “generic” website/service layout?
Copyright might subsist in the typographical arrangement of a website but it is not clear as the law refers to a ‘published edition’ and no court has yet decided whether a website is a ‘published edition’. Copyright will subsist in each of the component elements most likely as literary or artistic works. Other elements, such as the name, mark or symbol might be protected as trade marks – either registered or unregistered. A mark which has a small R in a circle next to it will be registered (it is unlawful to use this symbol if the mark is not registered); an unregistered mark might have a small TM next to it. Reproducing an entire webpage will infringe copyright (although not necessarily the trade marks). Recently Microsoft objected to screen shots of their web pages being used without authorisation by a third party. There are of course generic practices and accessibility issues which may result in certain elements of a site, such as the copyright statement on the bottom of the page, o
Related Questions
- A set of FAQs on Copyright are available on the Arts and Humanities Data Service website at http://ahds.ac.uk/copyrightfaq.htm#faq10?
- Our background music service provider says they pay for all copyright licenses. Why would I still need a SESAC license?
- How far does copyright cover "generic" website/service layout?
