Online material can be readily printed, saved, and copied -- features which are enormously useful, but features which at the same time raise difficult copyright issues.

Not everything online is copyrighted or can be copyrighted, and some copyrighted materials can be used by others under certain circumstances (think of "fair use"). Given these realities, online content should be seen for what it is: intellectual property, a commodity with much potential value if protected.

To safeguard their interests site owners surely want a home page copyright notice. However, because it is possible to access site material directly and not go through a home page, a copyright notice on each page is also a good idea as is registering material with the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress.

In some cases Web designers and ISPs claim that all material on a site belongs to them. This is an avoidable problem, one that should be resolved when an ISP or Web designer is hired. An agreement for online services should plainly state that all text, data, graphics, and other materials provided by you belong to no one else.

Another avoidable problem concerns the ownership of your online address. Such addresses are routinely registered by a Web designer or ISP in their name. However, an agreement with a designer or ISP should provide that the site address is your property. That way, if someday you want to move on to a new designer or ISP, your online address is readily transportable.

If a unique identifier such as OurBroker® is within your name, initials, or Web address, consider getting a trademark. A trademark allows you to control the use of a given term; in effect you can make a piece of language into an asset.

Once you have trademarks, copyrights, and such, it then becomes interesting to use a search engine and see where your material shows up....