International conventions for copyright vary greatly around the world. However, the basis of all copyright is basically the same. This states that everything you uniquely create, from your shopping list to the lastest, greatest web site, is copyright in your name, or if you work for a company, in the name of that company. You do not need the © symbol to be granted this copyright (as some people seem to think), but it is always adviseable to include it as this is a clear indication to anyone that the material contained within your site is your copyright material.
Some countries require you to register your copyright, but this is not the case in the UK where the Copyright Act states that the copyright remains yours, unless subsequently assigned, during your lifetime, and then becomes the property of your heirs, agents or assignees for 50 years after the date of your death.
I can only quote Copyright Law in the UK, so I hope this helps you. Incidentally, the age old trick of posting yourself a copy of something you want to copyright still works, provided the envelope is sealed in such a way that any tampering becomes immediately apparent. Signing across the flap is a good idea, as is sealing the flap with good old fashioned sealing wax. However, in the case of a website this is perhaps overkill as you would have to print out screenshots of each and every page, and the code behind the entire site.
A simple copyright message ... ©Your Name, 2005 All rights reserved ... is usually enough, though if you want more link that message to a page that spells this out in plain English for everyone to read, telling them in no uncertain terms that you'll come down on them like a ton of bricks if they steal material from your site.
PS: No I'm not a lawyer, I'm a professional writer and need to be aware of Copyright Law
