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  1. #1

    Question Ownership of posts on a web forum - who owns it?

    Who technically owns the copyrights of posts made in an internet forum? For instance, in this actual post that I'm writing, do I own this post, or does Webhostingtalk.com own it?

    If Webhostingtalk "owns" it, then I assume that they can use my post in any manner and even sell it without my permission.

    Thanks to anybody who can educate me on this
    "It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop." – Confucius

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Not you....

    © WebHostingTalk.Com 2001 - 2004. All Rights Reserved. E-mail: Moderators
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    ••• Mark Castle •••
    ••• www.captivereality.com •••
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    My views are my own and not those of my company.

  3. #3
    Join Date
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    Tasmania, Australia.
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    Re: Ownership of posts on a web forum - who owns it?

    Originally posted by ChowSumDung
    If Webhostingtalk "owns" it, then I assume that they can use my post in any manner and even sell it without my permission.
    They don't even need to sell it.

    http://www.whir.com/features/hosttalk-030304.cfm

  4. #4
    I know that in many places posts are owned by the poster.
    Advanced Forum Hosting
    http://www.boardnation.com
    Easily build a community today!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    338
    "Submit Reply"

    More like the siteowner.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
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    2,677
    Look at the recent litigation attempt by CIHost against WHT for posts that were made by users here. They were not successful.

  7. #7
    The author of the post retains ALL copyrights to his posts unless they gave them up in the Term & Conditions
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Posts
    735
    Not a lawyer, and I don't know. But I believe the only thing protected by copyright, is the creative part. Facts aren't protected.
    If that's true if you post your autobiography or a poem you wrote, somebody, would be protected.

    Depending how you look at it, I have a high or low aspiration for my posts. Submit a message somebody one day might find worthy of stealing.
    You'll get fewer complaints from over performing than from over promising.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    1,739
    the copyright has to stay with the poster, normally in the Faq there is a big bit about the thread/posts being the views of the poster and the site having nothing to do with it (or words to that effect), so if the message board assumes copyright of the post they also assume liability in the event it is defamatory or libalous, which i doubt even WHT is willing to do, and as you still own the copyright of your original post (so long as it is original it is yours) the message board (unless stated in its terms) has no right to reproduce it anywhere else but the original place...

    and on a side note they must remove it when you ask them to...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Orlando, FL
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    12,207
    Delete * from WHTtable where userID = bozo

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    645
    Two good sources of information on US Internet law:
    http://www.chillingeffects.org/
    http://www.bitlaw.com/
    Laura K.
    http://www.madmousergraphics.com
    graphic design for grownups

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    38
    The copyright belongs to the creator of an original piece of work. I agree with Trifolic normally there is a section in the t&c which deals with copyright. For example there might be a term which you agree to when posting that licences the forum owner to use your copyrighted material.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    122
    I think its depends on what is in the TOS when you registered.
    All I ever wanted was an honest weeks pay for an honest days work!

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