Dumb Question...

[what]

How can I copyright (legally) my stuff? What do I have to do to be able to call me domain like: MyDomain.com, Inc.?

[Michael]

this is not a dumb question, actually this is a good question

just put this in the bottom of your page

© (years of your company) (your company name)

here is an example on my web site

© 2002-2003 Pokemon Station, All right reserved

I don't think you need to do anything else

also create a page that states the thing which is copyrights of yours.

hope this helps:D

[jollyfactory]

thanks.. this helped me out too :)

I was just about to post a question asking what do I put in the copyright statement of my site

one question though.. in the copyright statement, do I put my name somewhere?? or just the sites name?

[what]

Thanks! Now another question too, how do I go about my Company name? I don't have one... Can I...
1. Make it up like: George Inc. or something?
2. Is my site automaticly named mysite.com Inc. or can I make it that?
what are my options? thanks.

[Michael]

1. You can make up any name you want IF you are not using it in commercial purpose, the reason for that is because if you are using it in commercial purpose, someone might already register that. For your own personal use, you can make up your name without registering.

2. I'll give you an example to answer your question: my web site address is http://pokemon.am5.com and my web site name is "Pokemon Station", it doesn't have to agree with your web site url. The proper procedure is that you make up your web site name FIRST, then find a domain close to your web site name.

hope this helps

[jollyfactory]

so if I'm using it for commercial purposes... umm where do I go to register my name??

[transmothra]

1) check your local copyright office. it is generally not necessary to REGISTER a copyright, but ALWAYS know the score before assuming ANYTHING.

2) also, a TRADEMARK is a little different. you can find information on trademarking at your local patent office.

3) search on Yahoo for the name of your state/province/country + the word "copyright" or "trademark" for better answers than mine.

[Horus_Kol]

by creating something (like a website), you automatically have copyright (or copyleft) ownership of it. (unless you are creating for someone else under contract - it gets messy then).

If you want to enforce the copyright, then you need to pay small stipend to people who police them.

Trademarks are different. Copyright covers created material, while a trademark is like a badge. That needs to be registered, to ensure that noone else is using that trademark. Interesting note - a trademark used in country X may not apply in country Y. You have to pay each authority in each country you want the trademark to operate in. Or you could apply for a global trademark - which only actually covers those countries who have signed an international agreement on it.

[Jason]

Typically people just go to a lawyer when they want to incorporate a business, however there are services that will allow you to incorporate online, probably for a lower price. You can find such a service here:
https://www.bizfilings.com/

(prices range from $75 - $295 plus state fees)

[Paul]

I found this:
http://www.myshoppingonline.com/my/incorporation.htm
Paul