Who gets copyrights for a non-fiction work?

Question

Do you get them yourself or does the publishers get them? For photos. For example, a famous sports photo. Would I have to supply copyright info or would the publishers do that for me? Also how do non-fiction works' sources get cited? Author or publisher?

I should've said obtain copyrights. I have no idea about writing books. It's just an idea I have. I'm not going to start anything until I have more information on these kinds of things.

Answer 1

Getting copyright of any kind is the author's job (I know that it is if you're going to use copyrighted material in your book. I'm not sure about getting your own coppyright, but I think you're supposed to do that too.)

You, the author, cite your sources. MLA format is an excellent format for doing this. A good website to help with this sort of thing is here: http://www.liu.edu/CWIS/CWP/library/workshop/citmla.htm

You can also go to a bookstore and pick up some good books about citing your work. 'The Chicago Manual of Style' is one such book.

Answer 2

It bothers me that you seem to wish to write a book, but can't effectively communicate a simple question so it makes sense. What in **** does it mean to 'get copyrights'? To copyright something you write, or to obtain permission to use copyrighted material?????????

Normally, the creator of intellectual property holds the copyright, unless there is a legal agreement to the contrary. This is true for most types, but there could be exceptions in less common areas.

If you wish to use copyrighted material, it is a sure bet you need to do it. That is part of writing a book. The late Asimov might have been able to force his publisher to do that for him, but you are going to be lucky to get printed, without demanding your publisher do your work for you.

I do not know what you mean by 'cited' for sources. if you are footnoting something you are writing, and are including quotes from other sources, then look up the correct format required for term papers in a good school. Citing work of others will use that exact format in footnotes, a number on the page where the quote goes, and the footnote in a clearly obvious place, either end of chapter, or in appendix. I haven't done a term paper in a lot of years, but by memory it will include both author; publisher; and dates; as well as pages included.

Can't help you on famous sports photo. The chances of getting permission to include one in your own work are about the same as the photographer letting you sleep with his wife.

You need first to take writing classes, or study it on your own. What you are asking is pretty much what high school kids have to do for a term paper.


They sell at bookstores like B&N basic term paper books, and the format of footnotes will be the same. Or, read a few non-fiction books and see how they do it.

Answer 3

It depends on the deal worked out between the author and the publisher. You can get some basic info from Volpe and Koenig, Inc. in Philadelphia. They have a website, also you might want to call them as well.

Answer 4

the author of course!