CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is in the technical field of application programming interfaces. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a method and system for protecting intellectual property. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content-creating application. Additionally, the present invention relates generally to a method and system of registering a creative work from within a content-creating application in order to memorialize facts of its creation and of allowing the creative work to be shared.
2. Description of the Related Art
The broad concept of using electronic systems to assist in the copyright protection of digital creative works is known. These inventions usually involve using digital means to mark a creative work or encrypt the protected work so that it is accessible only through proper authorization. However, these inventions do not allow for copyright protection from within a running third party software application.
It is also known to use methods of digital watermarking to identify copyrighted works. Digital watermarking can include inserting watermarks that may be easily viewed by any party accessing a digital creative work or using watermarks that are embedded in the creative work and only identifiable by the party who added the watermark.
It is also known to use electronic systems to encrypt protected works to impede copying. Various methods exist for digitally encrypting the content of a creative work such that decryption is required to access the creative work.
It is also known to use electronic systems to manage creative works by recording them in an online database. Usually these inventions use electronic methods for licensing, sharing and enforcing the proper use of copyrighted material.
It is also known to electronically generate copyright and patent applications; however, these inventions do not allow for the generation of copyright or patent applications from within a running third party software application. Nor do these inventions electronically submit generated copyright application to the United States Copyright Office, along with the requisite fees, from within a running third party software application.
It is also known to use electronic methods to locate an intellectual property attorney and to provide virtual legal services over a computer network.
It is known to electronically protect virtual intellectual property in the context of a video game environment. However, these inventions only allow for submission of the creative work to a virtual video game patent office or a virtual video game copyright office and limits intellectual property protection to the context of a video game environment.
General definitions for terms utilized in the pertinent art are set forth below.
Host device is a computer that runs software.
Mobile Device is a host device that is mobile, such as a smart phone or tablet.
Web browser is a complex software program, resident in a host device, that is capable of loading and displaying text and images and exhibiting behaviors as encoded in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) from the Internet, and also from the client computer's memory. Major browsers include MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER, CHROME, NETSCAPE, APPLE SAFARI, MOZILLA FIREFOX, and OPERA.
Web Server is a computer able to simultaneously manage many Internet information-exchange processes at the same time. Normally, server computers are more powerful than client computers, and are administratively and/or geographically centralized. An interactive-form information-collection process generally is controlled from a server computer, to which the sponsor of the process has access.
Application is a software program for a host device, usually for performing a specific function or a range of specific functions.
Mobile Application is an application program resident on a mobile device.
Content-Creating Application, or Creative Application, is an application software program running on a host device which is used to created copyright protectable digital content, such as a digital video, digital music, a digital photo, or the like. Major content-creating applications include INSTAGRAM (photos), SOCIALCAM (videos), SOUNDCLOUD (songs and music), PINTEREST (photos) and TUMBLR (photos).
Application Programming Interface (API) is a collection of computer software code, usually a set of class definitions, that can perform a set of related complex tasks, but has a limited set of controls that may be manipulated by other software-code entities. The set of controls is deliberately limited for the sake of clarity and ease of use, so that programmers do not have to work with the detail contained within the given API itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The broad embodiments of the present invention relates generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content creating application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office. More particularly, the preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content creating application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office through the use of a portable application programming interface which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications. Additionally, the present invention relates generally to a method and system of registering a creative work in order to memorialize the creation of the creative work from within a running content creating application through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications.
In the most preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing copyright protection for a creative work from within a third party content-creating application running on a host device. A content-creating application is any software application running on a host device which allows for the creation of copyrightable work, such as a photograph, image, writing, original artwork, song, or the like, and includes image-creating applications, music-creating applications, applications for creation of written works, etc. The present invention allows third party content-creating applications to provide copywriting ability and recording capability by incorporating the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface into the third party content-creating applications. After a user has created a creative work within a content-creating application, the user may select an option to obtain copyright protection for the work from within the content-creating application and without exiting the content-creating application. When the copyright protection option is selected, the user may choose to register the work with the CopyRightNow system or pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office. CopyRightNow registration allow for the work to be recorded with the CopyRightNow system along with information relevant to recording the creation of the work, such as date and time of creation, date and time of recording, the name of the creator, type of work, description of work, etc. Relevant information may be manually entered at the time of recording or obtained from a CopyRightNow user account linked to the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface. If the user chooses to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office, the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface allows the user to file a copyright application with the United States Copyright Office and pay the associated application fees from within the content-creating application. Information relevant to the United States copyright application may be manually entered at the time that a copyright application is requested or obtained from a CopyRightNow user account linked to the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface that contains the user's information. The CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface provides a portable interface for standardized copyright protection across multiple content creation application platforms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Illustrative and preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the process flow of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view of a home screen of a mobile device;
FIG. 3 is a screen view of a mobile application displaying a CopyRightNow button;
FIG. 4 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 5 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 6 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 7 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 8 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 9 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 10 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 11 is a screen view of a mobile application;
FIG. 12 is a screen view of a mobile application displaying a CopyRightNow button;
FIG. 13 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 14 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 15 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 16 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 17 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 18 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a mobile application;
FIG. 19 is a screen view of a web browser application;
FIG. 20 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 21 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 22 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 23 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 24 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 25 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 26 is a screen view of a CopyRightNow window displayed within a web browser application;
FIG. 27 is a screen view of a home screen of a CopyRightNow application;
FIG. 28 is a screen view of a dashboard of a CopyRightNow application; and
FIG. 29 is a screen view of a content detail window of a CopyRightNow application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For the purpose of illustration, the present invention is shown in the preferred embodiments of a system and method for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a content-creating application by electronically preparing and submitting a copyright application to the United Stated Copyright Office along with the appropriate fees and for providing a means of registering a creative work with an online-accessible database which memorializes the creation of the creative work and sharing that creative work online. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Referring now to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the process flow and examples of screen views of the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface is illustrated. FIG. 1 shows a flow chart 50 demonstrating the process flow of the system and method provided by the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a screen view of a tablet home page 101 of a mobile device, which is a tablet. FIG. 3 depicts a screen view of a video application video page 205 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone. FIG. 4 shows a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video path selection window 281. FIG. 5 displays a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video registration information window 282. FIG. 6 demonstrates a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video add artist window 283. FIG. 7 shows a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow video registration payment window 284. FIG. 8 displays a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window 285. FIG. 9 illustrates a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office video legal disclaimer window 286. FIG. 10 shows a screen view of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a smartphone and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window 287. FIG. 11 shows a screen view of a music application home page 300 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet. FIG. 12 shows a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet. FIG. 13 depicts a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow music path selection window 382. FIG. 14 illustrates a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow music registration information window 383. FIG. 15 shows a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow music registration payment window 384. FIG. 16 displays a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window 385. FIG. 17 illustrates a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office music legal disclaimer window 386. FIG. 18 shows a screen view of a music application song page 306 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window 387. FIG. 19 shows a screen view of a photo application home page 400 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer. FIG. 20 depicts a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow photo path selection window 483. FIG. 21 illustrates a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow photo registration information window 484. FIG. 22 shows a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow photo registration payment window 485. FIG. 23 displays a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window 486. FIG. 24 illustrates a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo legal disclaimer window 487. FIG. 25 shows a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window 488. FIG. 26 shows a screen view of a photo application photo page 401 of a content-creating application running in a web browser on a computer and displaying a CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration submission confirmation window 489. FIG. 27 illustrates a screen view of a CopyRightNow application login page 500. FIG. 28 displays a screen view of a CopyRightNow application dashboard page 501. FIG. 29 displays a screen view of a CopyRightNow application content detail page 502.
In further detail, referring now to the invention of FIG. 1, a flow chart 50 demonstrating the process flow of the system and method provided by the present invention is shown. The process of the present invention begins when a user is within a creative application 100. A creative application is any software application which allows a user to create a work which is copyright protectable, such as an original writing, an original video, original artwork, an original picture, an original song, or the like. To begin the process, after copyright protectable content is created within the creative application and without leaving the creative application, the user selects the CopyRightNow logo 105 and the CopyRightNow application programming interface launches a CopyRightNow interface. If the user has not already created a CopyRightNow profile, the user next creates a CopyRightNow profile 110. The CopyRightNow profile is linked to a user's CopyRightNow account and stores user information associated with the user, which is submitted with any copyright application or registration of a creative work. The user information may include name, address, email address, other contact information, etc. Next, the user must choose between the CopyRightNow registration pathway 52 and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office registration pathway 51. If the user chooses the CopyRightNow registration pathway 52, the user selects CopyRightNow registration 165. Next, the used is prompted for information necessary for the registration of the creative work and provides the requested information 170. Next, the user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms and services 175. The user then verifies the information, which was requested and entered and which was provided by the user profile, approves the price of registering the creative work, enters a password to verify the user's identity, and approves the submission of the CopyRightNow Registration 180. The information and the creative work are then digitally submitted to the CopyRightNow system 185. Information, which memorialized the creation of the creative work, such as date, time, creator, and a copy of the work, is stored with the CopyRightNow system. The creative work has now been registered with CopyRightNow, and the user then has the ability to manage submitted content through the CopyRightNow dashboard 190. If instead the user chooses the CopyRightNow Copyright Office registration pathway 51, the user selects United States Copyright registration 115. Next, the used is prompted for information necessary for the registration of the creative work with the United States Copyright Office and provides the requested information 120. Next, the user agrees to the United States Copyright terms and services 125. The user then verifies the information, which was requested and entered and which was provided by the user profile, approves the price of registering the creative work with the United States Copyright Office, enters a password to verify the user's identity, and approves the submission of the United States Copyright application 130. The United States Copyright information and the creative work are then digitally submitted to the CopyRightNow system 135. The payment is processed through third party merchant systems 160 in order to segregate the portion of the payment that is submitted to the United States Copyright Office as a copyright application fee. Through automation, the CopyRightNow application programming interface takes the submitted data and prepares an electronic United States Copyright application form and then automatically submits the application to the United States Copyright Office 140, along with the requisite fee, for registration of the creative work. Next, the user receives verification of the submission to the United States Copyright Office through the CopyRightNow application programming interface 145. United States copyright application information, such as date, time, creator, and a copy of the work, is stored with the CopyRightNow system, and the user then has the ability to manage submitted content through the CopyRightNow dashboard 155 and enjoys the benefits of the CopyRightNow registration pathway 52 as well as the benefits of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office registration pathway 51.
In further detail, referring now to FIG. 2, a screen view of a tablet home page 101 of a mobile device, which is a tablet, is shown. Since the CopyRightNow application programming interface is accessed from within a content-creating application, the first step of the method and system of the present invention is to start a creative application. A content-creating application is a software application, which allows users to create original works, and which runs on a host device. A host device may be a mobile device, such as a smart phone or a tablet, or the like, or a host device may be a device that is not mobile, such as a personal computer, desktop computer, or the like. For the purposes of illustrative example, FIG. 2 shows the screen of a mobile device, which is a tablet. The tablet home page 101 shows icons for accessing a creative application, including a video application icon 102 and a music application icon 103.
In further detail, referring now to the invention of FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a screen view of a content-creating video application running on a mobile device, which is a smartphone, is shown. FIG. 3 shows a video application video page 205 with a video icon 210 displayed for the creative work to be protected, which in this case is an original video. The video application video page 205 also shows a video menu 220 of activities that may be performed from within the video application. These activities include sharing options, such as sharing the video through SMS 206, sharing the video through email 207, sharing the video though Facebook 208 and sharing the video through Twitter 209. The CopyRightNow button 215 is also included in the video menu 220. When the user selects the CopyRightNow button 215 depicted in FIG. 3, a CopyRightNow video path selection window 281, which is shown in FIG. 4, is displayed within the content-creating application. In the CopyRightNow video path selection window 281, the user is presented with two options, the CopyRightNow video registration pathway 242 and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration pathway 243. The user enters the CopyRightNow video registration pathway 242 by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration button 290. The user enters the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration pathway 243 by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration button 295. To initiate registration with the CopyRightNow system, the user selects the CopyRightNow video registration button 290 of FIG. 4 and the CopyRightNow video registration information window 282 of FIG. 5 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow video registration information window 282 allows the user to enter the video author's name into the CopyRightNow video author field 211 or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional authors may be added using the CopyRightNow video add author button 212. The title of the work being registered is entered into the CopyRightNow video title field 213. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow video description field 214. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration information window back button 215. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration information window next button 216. When the user selects the CopyRightNow video add author button 212, the CopyRightNow video add artist window 283 of FIG. 6 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow video add artist window 283 allows users to search for other artists within the CopyRightNow system by entering a portion of the artist's name into the CopyRightNow search artist field 217. Artists with similar names are listed in the CopyRightNow artist search result list 218. A selected artist may be added as an author by selecting the CopyRightNow add selected artist button 219. When the user selects the CopyRightNow video registration information window next button 216 of FIG. 5, the CopyRightNow video registration payment window 284 of FIG. 7 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow video registration payment window 284 allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile, by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow video registration information field 222. If the information is correct and if the user agrees to the terms of service, the user selects the CopyRightNow video registration acceptance of terms box 221. The cost of the CopyRightNow video registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow video registration cost field 224. The user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow video registration password field 223. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow video registration payment window back button 225. Selecting the CopyRightNow video registration payment submission button 226 completes registration of the creative work with the CopyRightNow system. Returning to FIG. 4, in addition to registering the creative work with the CopyRightNow system, the user may chose to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by following the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration pathway 243. The user initiates copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration button 295 of FIG. 4, and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window 285 of FIG. 8 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window 285 allows the user to enter the video author's name into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video author field 251 or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional authors may be added using the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video add author button 252. The title of the work being registered with the United States Copyright Office is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video title field 253. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video description field 254. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration with the United States Copyright Office. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window back button 255. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window next button 256. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information window next button 256 of FIG. 8, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window 286 of FIG. 9 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window 286 displays a list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal affirmations 261, to which the user must agree before completing the submission of a copyright registration application to the United States Copyright Office. The user agrees to the list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal affirmations 261 by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal affirmations agreement box 262. The user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms of service by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration terms of service agreement box 263. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window back button 264. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window next button 265. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration legal disclaimer window next button 265 of FIG. 9, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window 287 of FIG. 10 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window 287 allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information field 271. The cost of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration cost field 274 and includes the application and registration fee that is paid to the United States Copyright Office. If the information in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration information field 271 is correct, the user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration password field 272. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment window back button 275. Selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office video registration payment submission button 276, instructs the CopyRightNow application programming interface to assemble a copyright application for the creative work using the supplied information and to automatically submit the copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate registration fees.
In further detail, referring now to the invention of FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, a screen view of a content-creating music application running on a mobile device, which is a tablet, is shown. FIG. 11 illustrates a screen view of a music application home page 300 of a content-creating application running on a mobile device that is a tablet. FIG. 12 shows a music application song page 306 with a song icon 310 displayed for the creative work to be protected, which in this case is an original song. The music application song page 306 also shows a music menu 326 of activities that may be performed from within the music application. The CopyRightNow button 341 is included in the music menu 326. When the user selects the CopyRightNow button 341 shown in FIG. 12, a CopyRightNow music path selection window 382, which is shown in FIG. 13, is displayed within the content-creating application. In the CopyRightNow music path selection window 382, the user is presented with two options, the CopyRightNow music registration pathway 342 and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration pathway 343. The user enters the CopyRightNow music registration pathway 342 by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration button 390. The user enters the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration pathway 343 by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration button 395. To initiate registration with the CopyRightNow system, the user selects the CopyRightNow music registration button 390 of FIG. 13, and the CopyRightNow music registration information window 383 of FIG. 14 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow music registration information window 383 allows the user to enter the artist's name into the CopyRightNow music artist field 311 or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional artists may be added using the CopyRightNow music add author button 312. The title of the work being registered is entered into the CopyRightNow song title field 313. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow song description field 314. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration information window back button 315. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration information window next button 316. When the user selects the CopyRightNow music registration information window next button 316 of FIG. 14, the CopyRightNow music registration payment window 384 of FIG. 15 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow music registration payment window 384 allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile, by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow music registration information field 322. If the information is correct and if the user agrees to the terms of service, the user selects the CopyRightNow music registration acceptance of terms box 321. The cost of the CopyRightNow music registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow music registration cost field 324. The user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow music registration password field 323. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow music registration payment window back button 325. Selecting the CopyRightNow music registration payment submission button 327 completes registration of the creative work with the CopyRightNow system. Returning to FIG. 13, in addition to registering the creative work with the CopyRightNow system, the user may chose to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by following the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration pathway 343. The user initiates copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration button 395 of FIG. 13, and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window 385 of FIG. 16 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window 385 allows the user to enter the music author's name into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music artist field 351 or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. Any additional authors may be added using the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music add artist button 352. The title of the work being registered with the United States Copyright Office is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office song title field 353. The year of completion of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music completion year field 357. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration with the United States Copyright Office. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window back button 355. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window next button 356. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information window next button 356 of FIG. 16, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window 386 of FIG. 17 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window 386 displays a list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal affirmations 361, to which the user must agree before completing the submission of a copyright registration application to the United States Copyright Office. The user agrees to the list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal affirmations 361 by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal affirmations agreement box 362. The user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms of service by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration terms of service agreement box 363. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window back button 364. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window next button 365. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration legal disclaimer window next button 365 of FIG. 17, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window 387 of FIG. 18 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window 387 allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information field 371. The cost of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration cost field 374 and includes the application and registration fee that is paid to the United States Copyright Office. If the information in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration information field 371 is correct, the user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration password field 372. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment window back button 375. Selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office music registration payment submission button 376, instructs the CopyRightNow application programming interface to assemble a copyright application for the creative work using the supplied information and to automatically submit the copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate registration fees.
In further detail, referring now to the invention of FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, a screen view of a content-creating photo application running on a web browser application on a personal computer is shown. FIG. 19 displays a screen view of a photo application home page 400 of a content-creating application running on a web browser on a personal computer. FIG. 20 shows a photo application photo page 401 with a photo icon 410 displayed for the creative work to be protected, which in this case is an original photo. When the user selects the CopyRightNow button 441, a CopyRightNow photo path selection window 483 is displayed within the content-creating application. In the CopyRightNow photo path selection window 483, the user is presented with two options, the CopyRightNow photo registration pathway 442 and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration pathway 443. The user enters the CopyRightNow photo registration pathway 442 by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration button 490. The user enters the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration pathway 443 by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration button 495. To initiate registration with the CopyRightNow system, the user selects the CopyRightNow photo registration button 490 of FIG. 20 and the CopyRightNow photo registration information window 484 of FIG. 21 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow photo registration information window 484 allows the user to enter the photographer's name into the CopyRightNow photographer field 411 or import photographer information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The title of the work being registered is entered into the CopyRightNow photo title field 413. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow photo description field 414. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration information window back button 415. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration information window next button 416. When the user selects the CopyRightNow photo registration information window next button 416 of FIG. 21, the CopyRightNow photo registration payment window 485 of FIG. 22 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow photo registration payment window 485 allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile, by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow photo registration information field 422. If the information is correct and if the user agrees to the terms of service, the user selects the CopyRightNow photo registration acceptance of terms box 421. The cost of the CopyRightNow photo registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow photo registration cost field 424. The user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow photo registration password field 423. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration payment window back button 425. Selecting the CopyRightNow photo registration payment submission button 426 completes registration of the creative work with the CopyRightNow system. Returning to FIG. 20, in addition to registering the creative work with the CopyRightNow system, the user may chose to pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by following the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration pathway 443. The user initiates copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration button 495 of FIG. 20, and the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window 486 of FIG. 23 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window 486 allows the user to enter the photo author's name into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo author field 451 or import author information from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The title of the work being registered with the United States Copyright Office is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo title field 453. A description of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo description field 454. The year of completion of the work may be added into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo completion year field 457. The user's email address is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration email field 485 or imported from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The user's address is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration street address field 486, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration city address field 487, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration country address field 444, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration state address field 488, CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration zip address field 489 or this address information is imported from the user's CopyRightNow profile. The user's citizenship is entered into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration citizenship field 484. The CopyRightNow method and system may also allow for additional information to be collected at this step in the process by adding additional fields for any additional information which may be necessary or appropriate for registration with the United States Copyright Office. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window back button 455. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window next button 456. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information window next button 456 of FIG. 23, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window 487 of FIG. 24 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window 487 displays a list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal affirmations 461, to which the user must agree before completing the submission of a copyright registration application to the United States Copyright Office. The user agrees to the list of CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal affirmations 461 by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal affirmations agreement box 462. The user agrees to the CopyRightNow terms of service by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration terms of service agreement box 463. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window back button 464. The user may move on to the next step in the process by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window next button 465. When the user selects the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration legal disclaimer window next button 465 of FIG. 24, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window 488 of FIG. 25 is displayed within the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window 488 allows the user to review and verify information, which was entered earlier by the user or retrieved from the user's profile by displaying that information within a scrollable CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information field 471. The cost of the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration is displayed in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration cost field 474 and includes the application and registration fee that is paid to the United States Copyright Office. If the information in the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration information field 471 is correct, the user verifies his identity and authorizes payment with payment information contained within the user's profile by entering the user's CopyRightNow password into the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration password field 472. The user may return to the previous window by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment window back button 475. Selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration payment submission button 476, instructs the CopyRightNow application programming interface to assemble a copyright application for the creative work using the supplied information and to automatically submit the copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate registration fees. When the creative work has been successfully submitted to the United States Copyright Office, the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration submission confirmation window 489 of FIG. 26 is displayed within the content-creating application. The user returns to the photo application photo page 401 of the content-creating application by selecting the CopyRightNow Copyright Office photo registration submission confirmation OK button 445.
In further detail, referring now to the invention of FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, screen views of a CopyRightNow application are shown. FIG. 27 illustrates a screen view of a CopyRightNow application login page 500. A CopyRightNow application login window 510 is displayed on the CopyRightNow application login page 500. To access the CopyRightNow system directly, a user enters a user name into the CopyRightNow application user name field 520, enters the password associated with the user name into the CopyRightNow application password field 530 and selects the CopyRightNow application login button 540. After filling in the required user name and password and selecting the CopyRightNow application login button 540 of FIG. 27, the CopyRightNow application dashboard page 501 of FIG. 28 is displayed. The CopyRightNow application dashboard page 501 displays creative content icons 551 for each creative work that has been registered with the CopyRightNow system using the CopyRightNow application programming interface method. A CopyRightNow application song icon 561 is displayed for a creative work that is a song. A CopyRightNow application video icon 562 is shown for a creative work that is a video. A CopyRightNow application photo icon 563 is displayed for a creative work that is a photo. Creative works that have been authored by the user and registered with the CopyRightNow system may be sorted in various ways through the CopyRightNow application dashboard page 501. A CopyRightNow application content-type sort menu 521 displays icons for sorting registered content by content type and allows users to filter creative works by their corresponding content type, such as images, videos, audio works, text works, blog works, design works, or the like. A CopyRightNow application creative application sort menu 531 displays icons for sorting registered content by the creative application on which it was created and allows users to filter creative works by their corresponding creative applications, such as Instagram, Snapseed, Pinterest, or the like. A user may search the CopyRightNow system by entering search terms into the CopyRightNow application search field 511. A user may access other sections of the CopyRightNow system by selecting a link in the CopyRightNow application user menu 541, such as profile, settings, site map or contact information for CopyRightNow. By selecting one of the creative content icons 551 of FIG. 28, a CopyRightNow application content detail page 502 of FIG. 29 is displayed. In the CopyRightNow application content detail page 502, a CopyRightNow application creative work detail icon 527 is displayed. The title of the creative work is displayed in the CopyRightNow application title detail field 522. A copyright statement may be added into a CopyRightNow application copyright statement detail field 523. A watermark may be added to the digital creative work by selecting the CopyRightNow application add watermark button 524. The description of the creative work is listed in the CopyRightNow application description detail field 525. The user may download a CopyRightNow registration verification letter by selecting the CopyRightNow application registration verification letter link 526. The date and time of registration of the creative work is displayed in the CopyRightNow application date/time detail field 528. The user may apply various third party activities to the creative work, such as sharing or the like, by selecting one of the icons listed in the CopyRightNow application detail activity menu 532. Selecting the CopyRightNow application detail page close button 533 closes the CopyRightNow application content detail page 502, and the CopyRightNow application dashboard page 501 is displayed again.
The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, are that the method and system for providing copyright protection for a creative work from within a third party content-creating application running on a host device comprises a CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface, which is software that is incorporated into a third party content-creating application, and which runs from within the third party content-creating application without exiting the content-creating application. The CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface interacts with the CopyRightNow system and exchanges information with the CopyRightNow system. The CopyRightNow system comprises one or more web servers with one or more databases of user data, software to assemble copyright applications, software to process payments, software to interact with the United States Copyright Office, and software to run the CopyRightNow application. After a user has created a creative work within a content-creating application, the user make seek copyright protection by activating the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface from within the content-creating application and without exiting the content-creating application. User information stored within the CopyRightNow system's user database is downloaded for use by the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface. The user may choose to register the work with the CopyRightNow system or pursue copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office. When the user selects CopyRightNow registration, the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface gathers any additional necessary information that is not available in the CopyRightNow database through user entry, collects payment and uploads the creative work to the CopyRightNow system along with information relevant to copyright protection. The user may later access the uploaded content through the CopyRightNow application. When the user selects copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office, the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface gathers any additional necessary information that is not available in the CopyRightNow database through user entry, collects payment and uploads the creative work to the CopyRightNow system along with information relevant to copyright protection. The CopyRightNow system utilizes software to generate an electronic copyright application and then electronically submits the generated copyright application to the United States Copyright office along with the appropriate application and registration fees. The CopyRightNow system receives electronic confirmation of the submission from the United States Copyright Office and then relays the confirmation to the CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface, which is running on the content-creating application, for display to the user. The user may later access the submitted content through the CopyRightNow application. The CopyRightNow Application Programming Interface provides a portable interface for standardized copyright protection across multiple content-creating application platforms.
The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it provides a method and system for providing copyright protection from within a running content-creating application and without requiring the content-creating application to be closed, which may result in the loss of the creative work. Additionally, the present invention promotes the registration of copyrights by providing a quick and easy means of registering a copyright. Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage of collecting information relevant in the successful enforcement of copyright protection. Moreover, the present invention allows content creators to protect their original works from the device on which the creative work was created, allowing creative works to be readily protected in any location with Internet access.
In broad embodiment, the present invention relates generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content creating application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to a method and system for providing copyright protection for creative works from within a running content creating application by assembling and submitting a copyright application on the creative work to the United States Copyright Office through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications. Additionally, the present invention relates generally to a method and system of registering a creative work in order to memorialize the creation of the creative work from within a running content creating application through the use of a portable application programming interface, which may be utilized by third-party content-creating applications.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
