is there any way i can protect my book concept?

Question

the material is already copyrighted. the concept is quite unique. my fear is if i send to publishers and they reject it, that they still could steal the concept assign it to another artist. if this were to happen, i would not get any credit for the idea and face competition. i know it is impossible to copyright an idea...is there any other way?

Answer 1

You are right, you can't copy write an idea. However, you can preserve your proof that you had the idea first. 1. Write a complete description of your idea, date and sign it. 2. Send it to yourself by certified mail, return receipt requested. 3 When you receive the letter DO NOT OPEN IT. Put it somewhere with the date stamps on it from the post office where it will not be accidentally opened - like a safe deposit box. 4. When you send your manuscript to an agent or a publisher, send it by registered mail, return receipt requested, and then keep the return receipts in the same place as the idea envelope.

Answer 2

Any literary work is protected the moment you put a copyright notice on the material--whether you've actually filed your copyright with the LOC or not. That, however, does not really protect you from other people using your concept. Copyright simply gives you the right to recoup monetary damages when your material has been sold by others and you can prove it in court. Otherwise, it's like a screen door in a submarine.

Frankly, I have found the best protection for new material is having a LOT of people read it online (that you can document) and the web is the best place for that to happen. If your material has been seen by tens of thousands of people, then it's clearly established who wrote it and when. That tends to make pirates and plagiarizers shy away from your material, though some may still try to rip you off. It's when they start trying to SELL your words and claim them as their own that you have to fall back on the Copyright laws, which means suing their pants off.

Oh, and forget about that old myth of mailing the material to yourself. It has been tested in court and failed MISERABLY. That method offers ZERO--I repeat ZERO--protection from copyright infringement.

Jon F. Baxley
(Fantasy Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Answer 3

I am so glad you asked this question because I am in a similar quandary. And wow to TLBFH for the ingenious solution. I would never have thought of that. I even asked this question at my writers guild meeting and everyone said just to copyright. I think by doing the certified mailing senario I will fell more in control. THANKS AGAIN!!!

Answer 4

Take a deep breath and relax. No one's going to steal anything of yours once you've written it down.

I know: I used to be like you at one point in time. Now, I know better.

No one has yet to steal anything I've written. And if some tries, I'll KNOW.

Answer 5

As long as you have written proof of your idea, fully fleshed out, then you can prove it if intellectual property theft occurs.