vba copyright protection

[danceexcel66]

I have created a spreadsheet which utilizes many of my own custom buil
macros and formulas. Does anyone know whether or not my vba cod
and/or formulas can be copyrighted--ie legally protected?

thanks,

Bil

 

[JE McGimpsey]

Your spreadsheet and code are copyrighted as soon as you commit them to
writing, within similar limits to any other written document.

 

[Harald Staff]

But note that software copyright belongs entirely to the one that pays you
while you write it unless other agreements are made -opposed to books,
screenplays and similar, where you are to be recognized as the author no
matter who's paying your bills.

Best wishes Harald

 

[Ken Wright]

And there's a world of difference between the terms 'legally' and 'practically'

 

[danceexcel66]

In this case, I'm referring to 'legally'. I'm aware of basic copyrigh
protection, but I have some concerns that someone may try and rip m
code off and claim it as his own.

Is it as simple as:

printing out the TX form on the US copyright website
filling it out
printing out all the code in my modules
mailing it all in?

Bill

PS and paying the 30$ of course

 

[JE McGimpsey]

You don't even need to do that to legally copyright your code. Simply
document it in a way that shows when it was created.

That's sufficient if you want to protect your right to prevent someone
else from using your code.

Registering it with the Copyright Office is only necessary if you want
to sue to stop infringement, and for damages, and can be done at any
time. Registering it promptly (e.g., within 3 months of publication, and
especially before any infringement) allows you to sue for statutory
damages and attorney's fees. If you register after three months, you can
only sue for actual damages (and any profit the infringer received).

Note that proving infringement is notoriously difficult, unless the copy
is a nearly complete copy of your code. By its nature, code has certain
standard "phrases" and common methods of operation, which aren't
protected.

Disclaimer: IANAL. If you think your code is valuable enough to spend
the time and money to protect it in a lawsuit (and that an infringer
would make enough profit to cover your costs), you should probably seek
counsel from an attorney.