Make sure you can prove you own your work - HTML Forums

Horus_Kol · 04-07-2009, 11:28 PM

My friend linked me this blog post about a guy having problems because somebody else said they owned his work.

What can you do to avoid it?

A few ideas:

1. Before publishing, put everything on a disc and post it to yourself - do not open it until sometime that you need to provide evidence in legal proceedings (and then only during a sworn affidavit or in front of a judge). The date on the postmark of an unsealed envelope goes a long way.

2. Use SVN to store a history of your creations - a bit technical for some, but this shows how you developed your finished work.

3. If you use GIMP or Photoshop, keep hold of the original layered files, and only publish JPGs, PNGs, or other 'flat' formats (as much as possible).

4. For photos, take the images in RAW format, and only publish JPG or PNG.

If you got any more suggestions, please share.

jatos · 04-08-2009, 03:10 AM

Yeah, its not a uncommon problem either, if you got something worth nicking, protect it!

I would also point, you need todo 1 and 2 to have a strong case, either on its own its mat not be enough. Particuarly if you got something fairly worth nicking.

Another thing I personally would is hide things in the original source code that can be used to signify its my own code.

It may also be worth taking regular backup copies to CD.

rangana · 04-08-2009, 04:02 AM

Hi Stuart,

The URL is erroneous: http://www.jonengle.com/2009/04/accused/

Horus_Kol · 04-09-2009, 04:15 AM

something not too good there - it was working when I posted, but the site seems to be down now.

jatos · 04-09-2009, 07:36 AM

The originals in Google cache...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourc...4%2Faccused%2F

Horus_Kol · 04-10-2009, 05:09 AM

Thanks Jatos

jatos · 04-12-2009, 08:03 AM

No problem

bigcat1967 · 05-26-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

1. Before publishing, put everything on a disc and post it to yourself - do not open it until sometime that you need to provide evidence in legal proceedings (and then only during a sworn affidavit or in front of a judge). The date on the postmark of an unsealed envelope goes a long way.

Thanks for that idea. Actually, I was just starting up a Civil War site and was wondering how to protect myself. Great idea!

shoppinqueen · 08-18-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horus_Kol

3. If you use GIMP or Photoshop, keep hold of the original layered files, and only publish JPGs, PNGs, or other 'flat' formats (as much as possible).

4. For photos, take the images in RAW format, and only publish JPG or PNG.
.

I had got the habit to copy the original layered files before I photshop them, cause, then I can photoshops them for many times. But now, I know it is also good for security.

Got that, thanks!