Information in the public domain. (1 Viewer)

[ChrisO]

Three questions about information in the public domain.

1.
Once information is posted on the WWW by the author, even if inadvertently, does that information become part of the public domain?

2.
If the answer to question 1 is yes, does the author have the right to delete such information?

3.
If the answer to question 1 is yes and the answer to question 2 is no, does the carrier of such information have a duty to maintain and/or protect such information?

 

[Kraj]

Three questions about information in the public domain.

When it comes to the Internet, legal issues get fuzzy. I believe the general rule is the laws apply to the person so you look at the laws of where you are. I obviously have no knowledge of the laws in Australia, but in the U.S. anything posted on the Internet is not considered "public domain". If your information has copyright or trademark protection, that applies to the Internet. If it's not protected, then you have no legal recourse if people copy it. Whether you've protected it or not, you still own the information (even though you have no way to prove it) but you are not liable if it is inaccruate.

So, your answers (at least in the U.S.) are 1.No 2.Yes 3.No