[Web4lib] website design copyright issues

[Gail Clement]

As with Aaron, IANAL.

I am, however, one of the ALA-trained Copyright Scholars Aaron mentioned 
who works on the Copyright Advsiory Network. And I'm happy to add my two 
cents!

To warrant copyright protection, a work has to rise to a minimum level 
of creativity and originality. That is why items such as phone books and 
some blank forms are not eligible for copyright protection.  IMHO, the 
basic three-column layout of a web page design described by the John is 
similar to a basic blank form.  It is not sufficiently original or 
creative to warrant protection.

Gail Clement
Head, Digital Collections Center
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199


Aaron wrote:

>IANAL
>
>With that said, my understanding (oh great collective wisdom correct me)
>is the code is copyrighted/copyrightable but the expression/display is
>not?  I think the "look" of a page might be trademarked/treademarkable
>but that is pure wild guesswork on my part.
>
>ALA Washington Office has put together a Copyright Advisory Network
>discussion forum at:
>http://www.librarycopyright.net/
>where you could pose the question, one of a dozen or so librarians who
>have received copyright training will get back to your post in a few
>days at most and a discussion may ensue.
>
>If you're using someone else's code to generate your display, courtesy
>and practice seem to suggest an acknowledgement of the author and maybe
>a link to the original are in order and should cover amy copyright
>issues.  (again, this paragraph is supposition on my part)
>
>-Aaron
>:-)'
>
>Miranda: "You have your backup backing up your backups"
>Mike: "Recursives! Spoiled again!"
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
>[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of John Furfey
>Sent: Tuesday, February 13, 2007 10:24 AM
>To: web4lib at webjunction.org
>Subject: [Web4lib] website design copyright issues
>
>Hello all,
>
>Does anyone have any experience or know of any resources that have to do
>with copyright regarding web design and layout?
>
>CSS layouts with 3 columns and a header and footer are so common, and a
>site I'm working on is very similar in layout to so many others out
>there.  Do I run the risk of running into problems if my site is similar
>in layout to others?
>
>Thanks,
>John
>
>
>  
>