with the material I want to prove I own copyright on? Any more details I should know about? Should I right on the envelope what is inside so someone dosent say "Well he could have opened the envelope and put anything inside".
2006-09-05 13:16:48 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
reevorb, it is already copyrighted, i just need in the future to prove my copyright if it is contested.
2006-09-05 13:24:54 · update #1
Spend the few bucks and have it notorized... maybe send it certified also.
2006-09-09 12:02:27 · answer #1 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Differents issues.
Sending the letter gives you a dated copy to prove that you had the material on a certain date. Sending a certified letter verifies that date-stamp, and the letter is left closed until needed during court proceedings.
Registering the copyright, which I think costs $45 per work now, gives you many additional protections, including statutory damages for copyright violations. Without the registration, you would need to prove actual damages, which is much harder.
2006-09-05 13:28:12 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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!
2006-09-06 04:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Send at least two to yourself and do not open either until or unless your copyright is contested. No need to write anything about the content. Make sure both have a clear postmark when you get them and store them in a safe place.
If you need to send one to the government as proof later on, place the entire unopened letter in another envelope and mail it certified.
2006-09-05 13:21:06 · answer #4 · answered by Rick 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My wife copyrights things all the time ( music) it costs her 30 dollars, That is the only legal way to protect your material.
So do it right, or it will not stand up in court.
2006-09-05 13:30:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, that doesn't stand up in court. Get it copyrighted, or send it registered mail.
2006-09-05 13:22:00 · answer #6 · answered by Gremlin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that would be a good Idea-this is what is called the poor mans copyright.
2006-09-08 05:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/
2006-09-05 13:18:40 · answer #8 · answered by Joe D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋