I wrote a poem, How can I protect it? Copyright?

Question

I wrote a poem and how can I copyrigh it. Like people should cite me as author when they use my poem!! Is there any way i can do it online??

Answer 1

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 2

It was copywrite protected the moment you wrote it...you don't need to do anything. The problem is enforcing your copywrite. By law, people have to have your permission to cite anything more than one or two lines. You can't sue anyone for money unless you can prove that they had intent to deprive you of income by their action of using your copywritten work. Otherwise, all you can do is make them stop it.

FYI, you should add a copywrite statement wherever your poem appears...you don't legally have to do that, but it helps remind people that you are serious.

Answer 3

The easiest and most affordable way to protect it, is to : write a copy of the poem in your own hand writing, put it in an envelope with a stamp and mail it to yourself. When you receive it, don't open it and put it in a safe place.

Answer 4

Send it to yourself in a self address stamp envelope, and don't open it. Or you can enter it into a poetry contest and have it printed in their book. You keep the copyrights to your own works.
Natioanl Library of Poetry
Owing Mills
Maryland

Answer 5

A cheap way to protect it......write it down and put it in an envelope. Seal and stamp it and mail it back to yourself. Don't open it. Can also have it notarized with the date by a notary republic. As I said, that's the cheap way.

Answer 6

Email it to yourself. It will be documented with a date. You can also just mail it to yourself and keep it in a secure envelope. The postmark designates its date of origin.

Answer 7

Don't publish it.

Answer 8

any kind of "dated" format should be sufficient...write it in an e-mail and send to yourself. print it or save it in a folder

Answer 9

Put you name and the copwrite symobl (c) and year on it.

Answer 10

http://www.copyright.gov/