Copyright Stuff

[Outbounder]

I don't know if this would go in the Publishing Odds and Ends topic, and if it should have I apologize.

Anyways, like probably a number of people on these boards I am in the process of writing my own book. I actually have a couple projects I'm working on: one with a friend and one on my own. Keeping the rights of my work is very important, so if you could share the process of getting a copyright, or provide links or books that explain copyright laws, it would be much appreciated.

[Mashirosen]

You might not have heard this before, but a really neat thing about copyright law in relation to writing is that the minute you set the words down in a physical form -- by hand, in a document editing program, scribbled in crayon on the back of an electrical bill, whatever -- the text is copyrighted to you. According to this (http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/sept97/cew2.htm), it's yours even if you dictate it to tape.

[Kain S. Branford]

Listen to the mod, she knows of what she types! But since a great many of you want that government seal of approval, here you go! (http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html)

In that index site you'll find everything you want to know about obtaining a copyright here in these United States of America, what can be copyrighted and how, how long it lasts for, and a few other things.

Generally, you don't have to since--as Mashirosen says--the work is copyrighted to you the minute you write it out. However, there are a great many people fearful of being plagiarized and having a recognized copyright can help should you find the need to prove you wrote "Billy and the Clonasaurus" to sue someone else. To obtain it, download the form that site has, fill it out using Adobe (or not), print (then fill it out by hand), and mail off to the Copyright Office with a couple of copies of what you want copyrighted and whatever fee is required.

It's simpler than it seems, so don't go getting intimidated all ye' actively seeking copyright power. After sending the form in, you'll receive a call from the office should something be amiss in your form or they may just call to confirm; I forget since it was a while ago. A copy of your approved form will be sent to you in eight months. However, it is more than likely your request was approved that very same month you sent it

EDIT: I hate when I overlook small mistakes...

[Mashirosen]

Kain's advice is much better than the old, cheap trick of mailing yourself a sealed copy of your manuscript, if less amusingly squirrelly.

[Cyclone231]

Kain's advice is much better than the old, cheap trick of mailing yourself a sealed copy of your manuscript, if less amusingly squirrelly.
But that's fakable and is no longer considered enough evidence any more.

[Kurosen]

Hence, "much better than..."

[Outbounder]

Thanks much to Mashirosen and Kain.

[LordZoma]

It depends on what you're working on. If it's a novel, any publishing company you send it to will automatically copyright it for you in your name if it's published. if it's comic material, it rarely matters anyway because of the way the companies are set up... ie. they are not responsible for any ideas anyone else comes up with coming up in their own material... because of how much shit there is possible with comics. although is IS subject, if say something is stolen word for word... of course in the comic industry i don't think that has EVER happenned.

If you're writing a movie or tv script. The best bet is to register yourself with the screen writing guild, and they will copyright your material, if you send it to them to do so.

I advise simple writing copyright (year) (name) on any material you create. if you are truly paranoid (like me) you can have the copyright appear on the bottom of every printed page, using a footer in a word processing program.

The best thing you can do, however, is register any work you create with the library of congress.

--zoma

[Kain S. Branford]

It depends on what you're working on. If it's a novel, any publishing company you send it to will automatically copyright it for you in your name if it's published.

That's actually not very true. Maybe traditional houses would register copyright if they have an author they know will make 'em a buck, but in the cases I know of the publisher won't bother. Attaining legal copyright does cost some resources, and some are not willing to supply the fees. Instead, they leave it up to the author since print and distribution in itself is a show of copyright.

[LordZoma]

I suppose its up for some discripancy between publishing companies. However I'm fairly sure that terminus books, baen, bantam, penguin, and DAW will automatically copyright matierials they choose to publish. Then again, I have absolutely no idea about self publushing companies. Then again, I don't have the resources to really consider those as an option. Maybe if I had a super genius super successful web comic, i'd be willing to raise the money to publish my material on my own, knowing full well that I'd be capable of supporting it...