While someone developed a software and sell it on their web page, they alway say that they own the copyright, is the "right" given by themselves? not be protected by any law? If it is protected by a law and it is sold all over the world, then which country's law protect it if the "right" be offended? (As examples: Game Maker, Games Factory.) Thanks!

Copyright is protected by law. The notices that people display are simply there to make it clear to users that something is protected.

Although copyright law differs slightly in some countries it is generally consistent and a number of countries have reched an agreement (the Berne Convention) to honour each other's copyrights. (See http://www.law.cornell.edu/treaties/berne/overview.html).

If you create a piece of work, e.g. a game, a piece of music or whatever insists you need to put a given amount of creative work into creation of that piece of work, you (in almost all countries around the world) automatically obtain the copyright to that work; as you are the creator of it, it is your IP and so you automatically gain every right to do with it what you would ever like to do.

Copyright is protected by law; this means, if you have created something, no one may come and take your IP. Law gives you the tools to enforce your rights on your IP on the use of your work.

If somewhere ist stated "Copyright by", this is simply a stress on that law situation and shows everyone coming into contact with this, that you are aware of your rights and _will_ enforce them.
This is _not_ something given to you by your government, but by law, therefore your country's souvereign, and your constitution says you have every right on your creation since the time of creation.

Thanks a lot!

[Edited by - was2_0 on February 7, 2006 1:13:03 AM]

Did you read what was previously posted?