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(DISCLAIMER* The following information is not intended to replace appropriate legal counsel. If you can, PLEASE seek an attorney's advise for any and all acts of copyright violation)

Due to the fact that one of my poems was taken from my website and reprinted via the internet, sent to thousands of newsgroups and email lists, included in a cookbook to raise money (over $10,000) for a rescue orginazation with the original name, "BAGGAGE" removed and then changed to "The Meaning of Rescue" and even left off entirely with my name ommitted as author, I have decided to add a copyright page to this website.

The copyright laws are very vague when it comes to the internet. However, that does not give a person the right to steal the work of another's. It is a known fact that a story or poem cannot write themselves. If you see something that you think might be a nice addition to a newsletter, email list, or website BEFORE you copy it and send it on, please ask yourself the following questions.
1. Does it have an author?
2. Do I have permission?
3. If I just can't stop myself, will I add the following to the poem/story?
The author is unknown, if YOU are the author please contact me at (list your email address-do not be shy, you took something that did NOT beling to you because it either touched your heart or you just wanted to) and I will either remove it or add the correct information to the poem/story asap.

If you are NOT willing to answer these questions, then you have committed theft by copyright. This also holds true to pictures and photographs.

Please visit the following website for some wonderful information on copyright violations.

"The 10 big myths about copyright explained"

IF you have been the victim of such a theft you can do one or all of the following to copyright your work both online and off.
1. When your website is done, copy each page to a disc. Wrap and send via postal mail to yourself after you have written the date your site was created on the envelope. When it is received, DO NOT OPEN IT!
2. OR you can print out each page of your site seperately, then send via postal mail to yourself after you have written the date your site was created on the envelope. When it is received DO NOT OPEN IT!
3. For each revision you make - adding a picture or whatever, print out that page, mail to yourself with: revised 1/2/2001 on the envelope. Same as #1 & #2 DO NOT OPEN IT! Just keep them in a file. If you have to go to court, this may well serve as your only evidence that you are the author of your site.
3. Pictures, using your photo editor, type copyright your name/kennel on each picture. You can make this small so as not to distract from the picture, but it is do-able.
4. On each page of your website or poem/story put the following:
poem/story ex: "Baggage"
by Evelyn Colbath (c)1995 all rights reserved
web page ex: joysmountain(c)1995-2001 all rights reserved
all images*poems*stories*content unless otherwise specified is the property of JOY's Mountain. Permission is NOT given to reprint in any media.
5. Search the internet. There are email groups and newsgroups that can offer valuable advise.