How do I go about copyrighting my work?

Question

I’m talking about comics specifically, but I guess this would apply to music, painting, writing etc. I don’t know if any of my work will ever see the light of day in a commercial sense but how do I go about protecting it regardless? I’ve heard that if you mail your work to yourself and keep it in the sealed envelope that goes some way to prove that the work is yours and when it was done. But say for example, I wanted to show my work privately – how do you deter people from copying it partially or entirely? Do I simply just write my name accompanied with the circled ‘c’ on my work, or is there an official/ legal process I must go through? Ta very much!

Answer 1

Copyright protection begins when any of the above described work is actually created and fixed in a tangible form.

For example, my brother is a musician and he lives in the United States. When he writes new lyrics, he prints them out on paper, signs his name at the bottom with the Copyright © symbol to show that he is the author, places it in an envelope and mails it to himself without opening it. His copyright begins at the moment he puts his idea in a tangible form by printing the lyrics out on paper. He creates proof when he mails it to himself - the postmark establishes the date of creation. He then registers his copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office which is a requirement in order to sue for monetary damages should a violation of his copyright arise. However, if somebody copies and redistributes his lyrics without permission before his copyright is registered, he still has the right to assert a copyright claim as the true author.

The above applies to digital art and graphics. Open a gif, jpg or png file that you created and look at the properties. It states the date that you saved it to your hard drive as the date of creation. If somebody copies a graphic from your web site I assure you that the date of creation on your copy of the file is earlier than the copy taken off your web site. If that still doesn't feel like enough proof for you, save everything to a floppy disk and mail it to yourself via certified mail. Keep the envelope sealed, wrap it in protective plastic and put it in a safe place.

Somebody once asked if it was "illegal" to place the copyright © symbol next to your name if you have not registered your copyright. Unless you have stolen the work from somebody else and you are not the true author of the work, it is not illegal to place the copyright © symbol next to your name - it is your right to do so.

The proper way to place a copyright notice is as follows: Copyright © (first date of creation) (name of owner). Like this: Copyright © 2003 John Smith.

Answer 2

No they don't look to be secure by utilising copyright and that they can't be secure by utilising copyright by utilising you or absolutely everyone else. no person owns those symbols nevertheless their kind and which ability is roofed by utilising international criminal treaties. there isn't any such ingredient as 'copyrighting' something. it quite is a meaningless expression and shows an entire fake effect of the concepts. Copyright (actually the final to repeat) applies to all ingenious and ingenious works (taken to contain utility code), in spite of its advantage, from the 2d the artwork is created. No added action is needed for the final to exist and there isn't any fee in contact. the final belongs to the writer of the artwork nevertheless, as with the different sources top, it quite is offered, assigned or approved. Copyright applies even if in case you do not use the copyright image or use the be conscious 'copyright'. in spite of that, it quite is a physically powerful concept to apply a appropriate copyright word (interior the type "Copyright, the call of the final holder and the 300 and sixty 5 days') because it serves to remind different people who they can't replica your ingenious artwork .... nevertheless it would not look to stop human beings copying track, utility or video clips.

Answer 3

Actually, while it's good to place the copyright symbol on your work, it's not required. Anything made after April 1, 1989 is covered under the Berne Copyright Convention in most countries.
There really isn't any legal process you need to go through, unless of course someone uses your material. Take a look at this site for more detailed information.

Answer 4

Its automatically covered, but it would wise to date the work and keep ancillary records incase of a dispute.

The mail thing is an urban myth, but evidence would be keeping all prelimiary work, records of what you have done.

You can't stop copying because copyright is passive right in itself, it would have to be enforced in the courts etc.

It would also be wise that if you do show any company your work, before you do, you put them on notice, by getting signing a non waiver disclosure, which means that by showing it to them, you are not waiving your rights in the work.

Answer 5

Register your work with the Copyright Office so that you will have exclusive rights over your work for a long period of time. No reproduction, copying and imitation of your work can be done without your permission.

Answer 6

follow the data protection act and that should lead you clearly enough you may find it in this link but look carefully at the section you want
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980029.htm

Answer 7

post it to yourself

Answer 8

http://www.copyright.gov/register/ Try here