html

[tamborine]

does html on the www have any copyright protection?

[another-view]

It will usually say at the bottom if the page is copy protected.
For example, this page says: � AnswerBank Ltd 2000-2009. All Rights Reserved.

[Haggisdj]

HTML is a markup language that displays text in web browsers.

The text that it displays will subject to the copyright laws, if applicable. As another-view has mentioned it should have the � symbol if it is protected.

[tamborine]

thanx....does that mean I can't copy a symbol? I dont want the whole site.

[another-view]

Is the symbol a picture on the website? If so , then no as it would be the same as copying an illustration from a book.

Although, unless you are making a hugely popular website, I doubt anyone would notice.

[Buenchico]

The � symbol has no legal significance. The originator of any original work automatically owns the copyright of that work (unless it was created in the course of his employment, in which case the employer usually owns the copyright).

Internet copyright matters are complicated because different laws apply in different countries. In general though, you shouldn't copy pictures or symbols from someone else's website to your own. Whether it actually matters in the 'real world' would depend upon the type of symbol and its source.

For example, if you were to copy anything from the Disney website, or from the McDonald's site, you could probably expect to hear from their solicitors. (Those two companies are noted for being particularly litigious). But if you 'borrow' a simple heart-shaped design, signifying 'love', from a personal website, the owner would probably neither know nor care.

Some copyright laws are widely ignored. For example those musicians who 'sample' other musicians' recordings, to create their own works, are in breach of copyright legislation, but it rarely results in any court action. If you rip a CD to MP3, even for your own purposes, you're breaching copyright. If you record a programme off the telly, and keep the recording, you're breaking copyright legislation. (The law allows you to make the recording for 'time shift' purposes but not to keep the recording after watching it).

Official (legal) answer here:
http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/copy.htm

Chris

[tamborine]

html has originated from someone and is easily accessible, eg; the Magnifying Glass icon on 'search' here was drawn by an originator, turned into html and used on many sites.

It would be difficult to contact the MG icon artist for permission/payment to use the symbol.

Could I use it till the artist pops-up with threats, when, hopefully, I would have the chance to withdraw the icon before being sued?

[Buenchico]

Many symbols, such as that one, have been placed into the public domain anyway. (The same applies to clip art). So you're free to use those symbols on any website.

[tamborine]

thanx all - will complete and wait for bricks.

[fo3nix]

Just to add: the search icon you mention isn't anything to do with HTML.

HTML is a language for defining structure to documents. "This is a header," "this is an image," "this is a paragraph," etc.

What you're wanting to use is simply an image; this will likely be copyrighted and you can't use it without permission.

As highlighted above, the best thing to do is search for public domain icons and images, and find something acceptable. Or, create one yourself!