This is very unclear like the usefullness of Microsoft’s OneNote.

I think if you post vba code or any code in the public domain (internet, public library) you are going to get copies made. Just like Microsoft template library.

Enforcement is really tough. How can tell what was your vba code from someone else. That is tough.

Totally agree Jon.

If you listen to that podcast the chap clears up exactly what’s copy righted or not when you write code, as well as a load of other things.
You can indeed copyright your code, and just because your working for the man does not mean it’s his! Interesting

@Mike and Jon, Yeah or the early learning centre! ;-)

A common misconception is that copies can be made so long as nobody profits from the copying. This is not a valid use of a copyrighted work.

The Fair Use Doctrine allows for limited use of copyrighted materials. One such use is making a backup copy of a computer program or a music CD. Another is to use an extract that serves as the basis of a critical review, such as the charts I frequently post about on my blog.

Of course, there are practical limitations to one’s copyrights. I’m not going to go after someone who posts a snippet of code from my web site to help solve a problem or illustrate a technique. It’s nice if they cite me, and if they’ve used a substantial piece of code, I might send them a friendly email to remind them.

However, when someone grabs a whole post and posts it on their web site, even with attribution, that’s an affront. Especially if it’s one of those ugly sites with more ads than content. Unfortunately these are the least approachable infringers, they’re often overseas, and they rarely care. It usually requires dealing with their internet hosts or advertisers.

Anything you create is copyrighted. A blog post, a fingerpainting, even VBA code. You don’t need to register it anywhere, the copyright exists as soon as the work is created.

Ideas themselves cannot be copyrighted. What you create is an embodiment or implementation of the idea, and that is where the copyright lies.

Microsoft doesn’t own the rights to your code, that’s silly. That’s like saying since you used Word to write your Great American Novel, Microsoft owns the copyright. Or you wrote it with a crayon, and Crayola owns the rights.

Funny thing about IP rights regarding software, at least in the US. If you are paid to write a book or screenplay, the publisher (or whoever pays you) owns copyright, unless they grant it to you (but you’re not Tom Clancy, so forget it). If you are paid to write code on the other hand, you own copyright, unless you give it away to the client. Lawyers across the land don’t even understand it, but (and I speak from experience here) they’ll waste hours of your time with their drivel.

I’m not an expert, just a well-read participant in the process. If you have a real concern, find an intellectual property lawyer who specializes in copyright issues.