Copyright protects free expression and the rights of authors. The Copyright Act of 1976 states that the items of expression can include literary, dramatic, and musical works; pictorial, graphic and sculptural works; audio-visual works; sound recordings; and architectural works. Almost any original expression that is fixed in a tangible form is protected as soon as it is expressed. For example, a graphic created in Photoshop is protected as soon as the file is saved to disk. This Web page was protected as soon as I stopped typing and saved the .html file. As you can see, many of the items that you are likely to encounter on the net are eligible for copyright protection, including the text of web pages, ASCII text documents, contents of email and Usenet messages, sound files, graphics files, executable computer programs and computer program listings. For many simple web pages you will never need to look at the HTML file itself. However, with more complex pages you may need to edit the HTML tags "by hand". That is no problem, but you will need to have a second program available to do so. (See HTML Publishing: Introduction for more information about HTML tags and editors you can use to modify them directly.) While creating a homepage, there are some copyright issues which you should consider. The following guidelines were adapted from the Oppedahl and Larson Weblaw page. This is not legal advice, however. The following are only guidelines. For more information on internet copyrights, visit one of the suggested sites listed at the bottom of this page. COPYING IMAGES AND INFORMATION - The best way to avoid copyright controversies is not to copy things from other sites. Why not just link to the site that contains the image or information you like? Some graphics sites tell you up front that you are free to use any and all images from that location. Others ask that if you use images from that site, that you include a link to it on your home page. When in doubt, ask permission from the person who maintains the site. POSTING SCANNED IMAGES - The safest way to post a scanned image on your web page is to obtain permission from the copyright owner before posting it on your web site. Even when scanning an image yourself it is best to get permission from all those in the picture before posting it. USING OTHER IMAGES - When using an image from another web site, you should save a copy of the image into your own directory. (Following the first tip given above) Although it is possible to use IMG links to other sites, if the image is changed or deleted from the site you are linking to, you may be left with a hole in your own page. CREATING LINKS - The general rule is you may freely set up HREF links to other web sites. This point of the World Wide Web is to create a network of knowledge. This is only possible when we are allowed to freely link to other web sites. Keep in mind, however, that you should not create a link to someone else's site and claim that it is your own creation. Also, don't misrepresent other web sites by saying, for example, "These people are liars" and creating a link to the page. PROTECTING YOUR WEB SITE - There other ways to protect your site like copyright registration, trademark registration, or patent protection, but the simplest way to prevent people from taking things from your web site is not to post it there. LINKS TO MORE COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: Oppedahl and Larson Weblaw An Intellectual Property Law Primer