how do you get a copyright for poetry that is written by yourself?

Answer 1

You don't it is intrinsically yours, the same as photgraphs.

The way to protect it is to simply put it in a sealed envelope and pot it to your attorney or yourself BUT DO NOT OPEN IT

That way the post mark will prove it had to be written before that date.

Or publish it

Answer 2

If you are going to register your copyright with the US Copyright office do yourself a favor and collect everything on one CD or in one folder and copyright it all as a collection. You will only pay one $30 fee for doing it that way, as opposed to copyrighting each individual poem you write for $30 each. The forms and instructions are available on the website.

However, you don't have to register your copyright with the office. You automatically own the copyright the moment you create any written work. You don't need to register it to use the little circle with a "c" inside either.

One inexpensive way to "prove" that you wrote something is to mail yourself a copy of it by certified mail and keep it sealed. It won't hold as much proof as a registered copyright, but it helps in case there is a dispute. The best way to protect your written works is to register the copyrights.

Answer 3

It is yours automatically until you sign something (like a deed) granting or shifting the rights.

What country do you live in? You must follow the laws of the country.

In the U.S. to sue you must have a valid Copryight Registration number, which means you paid $30, submitted a form and a copy of the work for unpublished protection. That work, then goes on display at the Library of Congress and anyone can see it.

In Canada this is optional, not required.

In the UK there is no formal requirement.

You should post a copright notice (Copyright, Your name, Year) on all copies of the work.

Enforcement of a copyright is up to you and that means you must get a lawyer and sue. In the U.S. that costs a minimum of $2,500

In order to sue under U.S. law you must have a valid registration form, otherwise the Federal Courts will not accept the filing.

To sue under state's rights the violator must reside in the same state as you.

To sue in other states you must get approve of their courts and follow their rules. They may not allow such a suit.

Answer 4

Answer
Copyrights for literary works include articles, stories, books, novels, brochures, pamphlets, catalogs, dictionaries, dissertations, theses, lectures, speeches, manuscripts, poems, reports, textbooks, and software.

To register a copyright, submit the following items to the Copyright Office:

Application Form TX - Available for download from www.copyright.gov
$30 fee payable to "Register of Copyrights"
A non-returnable copy of the material to be registered

Copyright registration certificates are mailed approximately 4 to 5 months from the date your items are received by the Copyright Office. Copyright protection for new works typically lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.

For additional assistance, contact the:

LOC Copyright General Information Washington, D.C.(HQ)
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000
Phone: [phone] General Information
Phone: [phone] Forms & Publications

Answer 5

By law, it is already yours. The trick is proving it. There are a few ways to do that. The easiest and cheapest way is to certified mail it to yourself. Seems odd, but the US Postal Services date stamps are legally binding! So, you prove that you wrote that poem on or around the date on the stamp. The trick is not to open the sealed envelope. Or, check out your City Hall. They have a lot of options for copyrighting stuff.

*Edit* Just to let you know, for the post office date stamp to be legally binding you MUST mail it Certified. I just spoke to the my postal worker. (The building I work in has a post office in it.)

Answer 6

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 7

You have copyright as soon as you write it - no forms necessary.

If you want to register your copyright, you fill out a form and pay a fee at the US Copyright Office. That way you can display the little C with a circle.

www.copyright.gov

Answer 8

try poetry.com I've written several poems and have posted them on poetry.com, when posting them they will automatically be copy written and may also be put into a book by the same people

Answer 9

Your work is copyrighted as soon as you right it. If it is stolen, you can sue.