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AntiCrash (another sigmaker) originally posted this in DI forums, so with permission from him I posted this here. Basically, it explains that any work created by someone is automatically copyrighted whether it has a mark or not on it. MM staff is already doing a great thing by being against ripping, but rippers might think they still have the right to rip when they dont. It's not hard to respect people's work, if you have to joke about it, make sure the sigmaker and sigbuyer are both fine with the joke.

1st - a couple lessons, the first in copyright law -
(this can be found at: [http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#hsc] )

HOW TO SECURE A COPYRIGHT
Copyright Secured Automatically upon Creation
The way in which copyright protection is secured is frequently misunderstood. No publication or registration or other action in the Copyright Office is required to secure copyright. (See following Note.) There are, however, certain definite advantages to registration. See "Copyright Registration."

Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created, and a work is "created" when it is fixed in a copy or phonorecord for the first time. "Copies" are material objects from which a work can be read or visually perceived either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, sheet music, film, videotape, or microfilm. "Phonorecords" are material objects embodying fixations of sounds (excluding, by statutory definition, motion picture soundtracks), such as cassette tapes, CDs, or LPs. Thus, for example, a song (the "work") can be fixed in sheet music (" copies") or in phonograph disks (" phonorecords"), or both.

If a work is prepared over a period of time, the part of the work that is fixed on a particular date constitutes the created work as of that date.



This basically means that the second something goes onto its medium (paper, canvas, computer, whatever) that it gains a copyright to the creator. This however typically will need some proof of orrigination & date - I keep a personal invision board that I post all mine to, thus gaining a "DATE OF ORRIGIN" so no one can say that they have an earlier coppy - that in combination with the orriginal PSD (or whatever) & orrig paper art if you had any (not needed) is MORE then enough proof to establish a copyright.


That said - all forums are hosted somewhere by some company (most used for runescape are just invision boards though). THOSE companies are bound by law to respect copyrights - so a simple form filled out with that information will get a sig removed.

Here is a copy of invisions rules for example
(found here: [http://invisionfree.com/index.php?p=tou] )

3.1 Prohibited Content:
Users may not post, upload, link to, or email any Content that contains, promotes, gives instruction about, or provides prohibited Content. Prohibited Content includes any Content that breaks any local, state, county, national or international law. Prohibited Content also includes: (a) Content that infringes upon any rights (including, but not limited to, copyrights and trademarks)


Basically - if they do not remove it - invision will shut down the boards - or whatever company that is hosting their perticular forums.


While this all sounds a little complicated - the amount of work (aside from creating just a generic invision board to post your sigs too for date verification) takes just seconds - including the forms that have to be filled out.

Credits to AntiCrash for writing all of this. Hopefully this will clear any doubts on what is copyright or not. If you find any ripping, PM a forum staff member with links and evidence so something can be done about it.

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