Great, a spy has infiltrated my page

[MoonCat]

One thing I have heard about protecting copyright for writing was to date the story/article/whatever and post it to your self. Get proof of posting and keep the unopened envelope. So then you have legal proof that the work is yours, should you need it.

That might work for your pattern.

This is actually not true. I read published writers' blogs and websites, and they have all agreed that this does not actually protect you legally. Sorry.

[Ironclad Alibi]

The problem with that is that, depending on the situation, it won't stand up in court. Many courts will only recognize items that are actually registered with the copyright office. It's a very common misconception based on a good idea someone had about mailing yourself information and leaving it sealed with the date on it. The problem is, when contested, it comes down to who has done the proper procedures to secure their intellectual property.

A copyright exists in a work when it is created, not registered. When copyright issues head toward the courts, the copyright holder will register the copyright to establish ownership of it. The question of actual copyright violation can become complicted very quickly. It's not just a date of creation issue.

[Pedersen]

A copyright exists in a work when it is created, not registered. When copyright issues head toward the courts, the copyright holder will register the copyright to establish ownership of it. The question of actual copyright violation can become complicted very quickly. It's not just a date of creation issue.

To be blunt, this is one of the worst explanations I've ever read of copyright.

Items are copyrighted at creation, true.

Courts frequently rely on copyright registration to determine that date of creation. In other words, in the court's eyes, the item was not created before it was registered.

The only time ownership of said copyright becomes complicated is when talking about derivative works. On that count, I'll agree with you: It becomes complicated, and the courts have to sort it out normally. Sad, but true.

However, the owner must not try to use "well, gotta sue/be sued. Time to register my copyright" as the time to register. Otherwise, the other person can register theirs at creation, resulting in the legitimate owner being completely screwed. Any suggestion that that is how it does work is, on its face, ludicrous.

[Ironclad Alibi]

To be blunt, this is one of the worst explanations I've ever read of copyright.

Surely it's not all the bad. There must be worse ones out there somewhere.

(Additional comments deleted.)

[Ree]

*ATTENTION - MODERATOR WARNING!!!*

It would seem that some people have yet again mistaken this place for fratching. Some have decided to debate the issue of copyright and intellectual property rather than focus on the actual topic of the thread, which is that someone has taken pageantmama's pattern and is representing it as her own design.

Not only that, but the comments are very, very close to flaming.
We have a report button for a reason. Use it.

Infractions will be issued if this continues.