I'm nearly done building a spoof site.

It involves "Selling" a product that doesn't exist.

Does anyone know if I can I use © ?

YEP!! You don't need to officially copyright any of your pages in order to claim copyright legally (though your case will hold up much better in court if it is officially copyrighted with the fed). I could be wrong about this, but I have read in numerous places that this is the case.. I look forward to hearing other people's input.

You can use "™" too - but not Registered Trademark (RTM or ®) - this has to be applied for through government channels.

Can I use ® on a spoof site to show something that isn't Registered as registered, though you should be able to see that it's not Registered?

I wouldn't think so. Best to consult the relevant authorities.

Maybe (NR) for "Not Registered"? =D

hmmm . . . So, if I put an N before the R in ®, that might be enough to make it look official. But, not be anything at all. :angel:

(NR) would be funny.

Since it is a spoof even (R) might be acceptable. I think the trouble is when ownership is questioned.

For that matter why not (Q)?

On (R) issues I shouldn't think anyone is going to prosecute you if you can or can't. copyright doesn't apply to ideas or products, but can be used on websites, real or spoof.

Can I use ® on a spoof site to show something that isn't Registered as registered, though you should be able to see that it's not Registered?

Yes. The only way you're violating the laws, there, is if you're committing fraud. Since nobody can actually order the nonexistent product, no harm no foul -- without evidence that your little stunt actually caused someone real damage, on what grounds could you be prosecuted?

Anyway, just put a disclaimer somewhere that states the obvious, and you're covered.

YEP!! You don't need to officially copyright any of your pages in order to claim copyright legally (though your case will hold up much better in court if it is officially copyrighted with the fed). I could be wrong about this, but I have read in numerous places that this is the case.. I look forward to hearing other people's input.

I don't know if having a copyright notice on the page would help in a copyight infringement case. If you wrote the content and it wasn't work for hire, you already own the copyright to it. The copyright notice is kind of like a "Private property" notice on a chain link fence.

At a seminar I was at, a lawyer advised putting a copyright notice on web pages. Not because it's needed, but because a lot of people think that material isn't copyrighted unless it has this notice. She was in effect telling us to put up that "Private property" sign to help inform people what they shouldn't do.

Does anyone know if I can I use © ?

You wrote the spoof content, right? You own the copyright to it. :)

My copyright notice for this post: Copyright © 2005 [name]. All rights reserved. (Quoted portions not included in this copyright notice.)

I don't need that copyright notice, though. :)

Lois

. . . You wrote the spoof content, right? You own the copyright to it. . . .I don't know why I started this thread, talking about ©, when I meant to be talking about ®.

Talking about © is good though. :)

I just wanted a feel of how far I can push things when it's not real but looks real.


I was under the impression I could do like BigBison said I can.

At least, now if anyone harrasses me, I can tell them the buffalo made me do it.

I hereby disclaim any liability regarding the accuracy of my post, then!