Quote - While you own the copyright of all original work without question, once that work has been "published" you are required to register it and include a copyright notice on the work.

 

Interesting.  I don't have a clear understanding of copyright law either, but are you saying that simply placing "Copyright 2006 insert name here" is invalid unless the image is properly copyrighted by registering with whatever government office?  I was under the impression that if you created it, you held copyight by simple ownership.  I guess I'll have to re-read the DMCA.

I looked at your example photograph, and while the copyright notice is fairly transparent, to me it distracts from the overall quality of the photo.  It pretty much defeats the presentational efforts of those who create artwork or photographs.  With that said, I also understand this may be the only way to cut down on art ripping...if it is indeed art ripping based on your quoted text in my reply.

Regards...

EDIT:  Yes, you're quite correct, your work must be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office prior to lawsuit of infringement for U.S. citizens, but many foreign works are exempt to comply with existing treaty obligations held under the Berne Convention.  See page 3...

http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf