Moreover, under United States law, new editions of a preexisting work are considered "derivative works" and in these cases "the editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications represent, as a whole, an original work." [1]
SIGNIFICANTLY, this U.S. government source explicitly mentions the following as cases of derivative works which allow for a new copyright:
* A new version of an existing computer program
* A revision of a website
The new copyright on the derivative work "covers only the additions, changes, or other new material appearing for the first time in the work."
In other words, by creating a derivative work via updating an existing computer program or modifying a website, you absolutely gain a new copyright on any new material and you absolutely can and should update the copyright date under U.S. law.
People urging the contrary, at least insofar as they are talking about the United States or governments with similar copyright regimes are dead wrong, and jcranmer and garmaine are right and unfairly downvoted.
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The United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_renewal_in_the_Unite...
Moreover, under United States law, new editions of a preexisting work are considered "derivative works" and in these cases "the editorial revisions, annotations, elaborations, or other modifications represent, as a whole, an original work." [1]
SIGNIFICANTLY, this U.S. government source explicitly mentions the following as cases of derivative works which allow for a new copyright:
* A new version of an existing computer program
* A revision of a website
The new copyright on the derivative work "covers only the additions, changes, or other new material appearing for the first time in the work."
In other words, by creating a derivative work via updating an existing computer program or modifying a website, you absolutely gain a new copyright on any new material and you absolutely can and should update the copyright date under U.S. law.
People urging the contrary, at least insofar as they are talking about the United States or governments with similar copyright regimes are dead wrong, and jcranmer and garmaine are right and unfairly downvoted.
[1] https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ14.pdf
Thanks, i was not aware that was still a thing!