Posted by M. Arthur Auslander on February 08, 1999 at 04:08:06:
In Reply to: Copyright Protection US/Philipines/Malaysia posted by Steven Nichols on February 07, 1999 at 12:07:53:
: I have written a Loan Origination System used here in the US at Banks and Credit Unions...I want to obtain what ever protection I can get Patent/Copyright. I am now being asked to also provide the software for other countries....I have heard that I must also obtain a copyright in each country because US copyrights are not honored. What or how would i obtain such Protection.. there are many modules to this software and must be supported also in these countries...I am looking at creating a staff in country, But that is another problem that also has to be addressed.
There may be patentability in the software. If it has been divulged or used before a patent application has been filed, there may be jeopardy in most countries of the world.
A US copyright is honored in most countries of the world. Enforcement in other countries may require local registration. There are at least 70 countries signatory to the Universal Copyright Convention. It would have to be checked. My guess is that the Phillipines is a memeber, Malayasia might also be.
A simple US copyright is fast and inexpensive, though receipt of the certificate may take weeks to many months. There is an expedited proceedure for for getting an immediate registration and certificate. The filing fee is expensive compared to the usual filing.
M. Arthur Auslander
Auslander & Thomas-Intellectual Property Law Since 1909
505 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018
212-594-6900, fax 212-244-0028, aus@auslander.com
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