Companies that view their web site as a valuable asset should be proactive in protecting themselves in this new, unsettled medium. Business owners should protect their web sites under trademark and copyright law.
Examples abound of companies fighting battles to protect their interests on the Web.
Where You Need Protection Potential trademarks on your web site may include your company name or logo, names of your products or services and your domain name. A trademark gives you the right to exclude other competitors from using names, symbols or slogans that customers confuse with your company. The U.S. Copyright Office permits copyright registration of both graphical and textual elements of a web site. These elements may include web-site graphics, photos and product and company descriptions. Be careful about using an outside firm create any part of your web site.