If you create content such as a photos, videos or logos.....?

Question

Do you automatically own the copyright and therefore if anyone copys your work, whether there is a copyright notice or not, they are commiting copyright infringment?

Answer 1

If you create something original that is your own work, it is yours, but you have to apply a copyright to it to ensure nobody else registers it in their name. Someone else did this to me on something I wrote and they are now the copyright owners!

It is always advisable to apply a copyright with a date at the time and you will always have proof of ownership if it is ever challenged.

Answer 2

If the content is completely original, i.e. not created by someone else and just edited by you, yes you own the copyright. It is safer to post a copyright notice. In the case of written media, a copy may be submitted to the Library of Congress with a copyright application just to help safeguard the copyright. There's probably a similar way to protect copyrights on visual media.

Answer 3

No, the copyright is owned by the 1st person to register the logo regardless of who 'invented' it.

This applies to copyrights, trademarks, patents etc.

Don't forget that many 'inventors' have merely stolen the idea off others.

Answer 4

Yes.  In terms of artistic and creative works you automatically own the copyright for that piece.   Usually you will cite that just to cover your butt but if it is a creative work then you don't need to file anything the copyright is automatically yours.

Answer 5

Yes.

You have copyright BUT you have to prove it. Preferably by registering it with an immutable date. So that you can say "look I had it on this website in 1999".