how does one Copyright a written work?

Answer 1

The best way it to use the Copyright ofice, as someone already said.
DO NOT MAIL IT TO YOURSELF (aka "the poor man's copyright")becuase this would not hold in many courts. It can easily be faked so a court of law may not be willing to accept it as a copyright. The US copyrights office is better and only about $30.00+ usDollars DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF WORK
Best of luck!

Answer 2

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.

Despite what others state, a "poor man's" copyright is NOT the same as registering it. Here's what the US Copyright Office has to say:

"The practice of sending a copy of your own work to yourself is sometimes called a 'poor man’s copyright.' There is no provision in the copyright law regarding any such type of protection, and it is not a substitute for registration."

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

Answer 3

There must be a way to copyright an unpublished manuscript, but I don't know what it is. However, it the purpose is to protect against its being stolen and published by someone else so that you're left out in the cold, put it in whatevre kind of envelope will hold it and mail it to yourself. Do not open it when it comes back. The postmark is proof that the work inside the envelope is yours.

Answer 4

The second it is put in a tangible form, it is automatically copyrighted. If you want to register your copyright, you would do so through the copyright office. I've linked to it below.

It not mandatory to register it, but it may provide you a legal protection should your idea or work ever come into a lawsuit.

Answer 5

I have heard that a legal and cheap way of copyrighting a work of literature is to mail it to yourself, registered and don't open it when you get it back. The postmark serves as a date of copyright if you don't open the package.