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Question about using a "©" or "Copyright" (or both) notice with an older domain recently purchased

by Brian John
6 replies
Hi all. I realize our forum is not one designed for legal advice, but just for the sake of getting some ideas was just wondering if anyone else has come across this.

If this year you purchased an older domain, let's say it was created in 2000 for example, would you think it's ok to add the entire age of domain next to the copyright notice? In other words if the domain name was thegreatestnameintheworld.com, could the notice read something like "© 2000-2013 thegreatestnameintheworld.com"? This is assuming when you purchased the domain you received all rights to it (which is what I believe typically happens) and that the domain age was not reset as it was never dropped from the registrar.

i understand the basics regarding copyright, such as what's here: Did you remember to copyright your website? | LegalZoom, but this info is a little different than what I've been able to find on the topic.

(In b4 "this is not a forum for legal advice")
#copyright #domain #notice #older #purchased #question #recently
  • Profile picture of the author CyberAlien
    This is not a forum for legal advice.

    I don't see a problem with it, but most websites just use the current year nowadays. Also, you don't necessarily need that copyright information at the bottom for your content to be protected.
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    • Profile picture of the author Brian John
      Originally Posted by Chase Watts View Post

      This is not a forum for legal advice.
      i knew that was coming lol
      Originally Posted by Chase Watts View Post

      I don't see a problem with it, but most websites just use the current year nowadays. Also, you don't necessarily need that copyright information at the bottom for your content to be protected.
      i hear what ur saying, u don't need it, but just thought if you had a 10+ yr old domain it might give a bit more of an authority appearance to show that
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      • Profile picture of the author CyberAlien
        Originally Posted by Brian John View Post

        i hear what ur saying, u don't need it, but just thought if you had a 10+ yr old domain it might give a bit more of an authority appearance to show that
        With a domain that old it probably would give that appearance to the few people who actually look at those dates.

        If there's content back from 2000 on the domain and you own it all now, there shouldn't be any problem putting 2000-2013 on it.
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      IMO, if you really want to be safe, use the date for the oldest content on the site. If you use the age of the domain, you set yourself up for being labeled a fraud.

      "The site says it's been around since 2000, but the oldest content on there is from last week..."

      There may even be legal ambiguity surounding your right to copyright if the claimed copyright date predates the existence of the content in fixed form (i.e., putting it on a website, having a dated file on your computer, etc.)
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    A copyright attaches to content on a website and not a domain name.

    If a domain was first registered in 2000, then abandoned, and you bought the domain in 2013 to put your new content on the domain, then your copyright begins in 2013.

    If a domain was first registered in 2000 and a website was put on it, then you bought the domain and the website content in 2013, then your copyright begins in 2000.

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    • Profile picture of the author Brian John
      Originally Posted by kindsvater View Post

      A copyright attaches to content on a website and not a domain name.

      If a domain was first registered in 2000, then abandoned, and you bought the domain in 2013 to put your new content on the domain, then your copyright begins in 2013.

      If a domain was first registered in 2000 and a website was put on it, then you bought the domain and the website content in 2013, then your copyright begins in 2000.
      bam...and there it is! had a feeling it might work something like that

      thnx for responding, much appreciated
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