Jim Lane on 04 Nov 2003 suggested:

> If it says it is copyrighted, then it is by common copyright. You are
> jerk A-1 (noticing you're hiding out now with a different identity).
>
To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a "common copyright", nor
a "common law copyright", if that's what you meant. At least not in the
United States, I am not familiar with the laws of other jurisdictions.
All Copyright Law in the United States is enabled by the U.S.
Constitution, and established by Federal Law, pre-empting any State laws
which may speak to the issue.

--Douglas