where can i get a copyright?

Question

a copyright for this lil guy i made i have him everywhere and i dont want him to be taken since so many people seem to like the way hes drawn and seem to like him alot

Answer 1

Go here for everything about copyrights:

http://www.copyright.gov/

Your specific item is called a "Visual Arts" work:

http://www.copyright.gov/register/visual.html

Good luck!

Answer 2

What are you using this lil guy for? If you're using it connection with products and/or services, a trademark may also be possible. I'll explain both.

Copyrights can be obtained for things of an artistic nature. This includes, of course, poetry, films, sculptures, music, fiction, etc. But can also include things that may not necessarily seem "artistic" in the general sense of the word. Copyrights can also be obtained for advertising copy, games, software programs and blueprints, to name just a few.

http://www.copyright.gov – US Copyright Office
http://www.copyright.gov/register/visual.html -- Visual Arts Registration

Trademarks can be names of products or services, logos, slogans, packaging and even sounds and smells. In essence, a trademark can be almost anything that is used to identify a particular product or service. Registering a trademark grants the owner exclusive rights to the mark within the specified industry.

Of course, it's necessary to research the mark comprehensively prior to filing to ensure that there is no possibility of infringing upon another party.

This entails searching the pending & registered Federal and State trademark files as well as the US National Common-Law files. Then, if clear, you can decide if you would like to file for a Federal or a State trademark.

To register a trademark, that's done either through your Secretary of State for a State trademark or the US Patent & Trademark Office for a Federal trademark.

If you are only conducting business in one state, then a State trademark is most appropriate. If you conduct (OR are planning to conduct) business in at least 2 states OR between the US & any other country, you can file for a Federal trademark.

http://biztaxlaw.about.com/od/research/a/Sec_of_state.htm -- Contacting your Secretary of State, a listing of links for all states
http://www.uspto.gov – United States Patent & Trademark Office
http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm -- USPTO's Main Trademark Page

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

As an additional note on your "lil guy", he is actually copyrighted from the moment you created him. If someone did steal it, you could still take them to court for copyright infringement. However, your ownership of the idea is much more concrete after you file the official copyright.