Tim Martin wrote:
"Rob" wrote in message
...


The decision to copyright is often either a condition of publication, or
not known (at least in detail) by the author. Thinking music here as the
best example - but it's not *necessary*.


There is no "decision to copyright".

The act of creating an original work (literary, or music, or photograph,
etc.) simultaneously creates a copyright. The creator has no choice!
(Though he can choose not to exert his copyright.)

Tim



But if I release something under the GPL, I have explicitly given
everyone the right to copy,and I have no "right" to prevent that
copying. I don't see how a copyright is created if I chose to publish
under different terms?

--
Nick