Public domain – I don’t think so!
When visiting a web site, it is so easy to right click and save as when you see a graphic image or photo that you like, or to view the source code and copy part of or all of the HTML coding because you like the look and layout.
The general and incorrect notion is that anything that is on the internet is public domain and may be taken without permission from the creator/owner. Some people actually think incorrectly that just because bits of web pages may be stored in one’s cache or because certain browsers allow one to do “file save as” moves or anything similar one may use such material as one wishes. This is false.
So what can you take from a web page?
Material found on the web may be copied freely only if the information is created by the
(1) Federal government
(2) If the copyright has expired
(3) The copyright has been abandoned by the holder. Therefore, “internet” and “public domain” are not synonymous.
How can you get something copyrighted? You can start by visiting the United States Copyright Office at http://www.copyright.gov/. It’s important that you understand what a copyright is and what can be copyrighted. Just because you state a copyright at the bottom of your web page, doesn’t mean you actually have a legal copyright. You must go through the process. You can use the “Search Copyright Records” to obtain validation of someone’s copyright.
The general and incorrect notion is that copyright is an inherent right of creators. The people grant creators temporary control over their creations with the idea that it promotes progress. If a specific application of copyright does not fit with the realities of creation and progress, the people are within their authority to revoke copyright.
101 or should I call you binary? You missed the point of the post, and in turn I am more confused :)