How can I copyright a video, before posting it on the Internet?

Question

I am hoping to put some videos on Metacafe, but I need to copyright them first.

Answer 1

I don't think it is classed as copyright but if you make a copy and send it to yourself by registered post, you have some sort of proof you owned it before making it public. but then again, why make it public in the first place?
When the tape arrives through the postal system, DON'T open the packet!!!

Answer 2

You already own the copyright, if you created the video. Registration gives you certain additional remedies if you think this video is something people might want to pirate. If you are in the U.S., you can do it yourself by following the below directions Reprinted from the Copyright Office web site: www.copyright.gov. You can download the forms from there.

A. To register a work, send the following three elements in the same envelope or package to the Register of Copyrights, Copyright Office, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20559: (see "Incomplete Submissions," below, for what happens if the elements are sent separately).

1. A properly completed application form; 2. A nonrefundable filing fee of $20 for each application; 3. A nonreturnable deposit of the work being registered. The deposit requirements vary in particular situations. The general requirements follow. Also note the information under "Special Deposit Requirements" immediately following this section.

If the work is unpublished, one complete copy or phonorecord.

If the work was first published in the United States on or after January 1, 1978, two complete copies or phonorecords of the best edition.

If the work was first published in the United States before January 1, 1978, two complete copies or phonorecords of the work as first published.

If the work was first published outside the United States, one complete copy or phonorecord of the work as first published.


NOTE: COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM USING BLACK INK PEN OR TYPEWRITER. You may photocopy blank application forms: however, photocopied forms submitted to the Copyright Office must be clear, legible, on a good grade of 8-1/2 inch by 11 inch white paper suitable for automatic feeding through a photocopier. The forms should be printed preferably in black ink, head-to-head (so that when you turn the sheet over, the top of page 2 is directly behind the top of page 1). Forms not meeting these requirements will be returned.

Special Deposit Requirements

Special deposit requirements exist for many types of work. In some instances, only one copy is required for published works, in other instances only identifying material is required, and in still other instances, the deposit requirement may be unique. The following are prominent examples of exceptions to the general deposit requirements:

If the work is a motion picture, the deposit requirement is one complete copy of the unpublished or published motion picture and a separate written description of its contents, such as a continuity, press book, or synopsis.

If the work is a literary, dramatic or musical work published only on phonorecord, the deposit requirement is one complete copy of the phonorecord.

If the work is an unpublished or published computer program, the deposit requirement is one visually perceptible copy in source code of thefirst and last 25 pages of the program. For a program of fewer than 50 pages, the deposit is a copy of the entire program. (For more information on computer program registration, including deposits for revised programs and provisions for trade secrets, request Circular 61.)

If the work is in a CD-ROM format, the deposit requirement is one complete copy of the material, that is, the CD-ROM, the operating software, and any manual(s) accompanying it. If the identical work is also available in print or hard copy form, send one complete copy of the print version and one complete copy of the CD-ROM version.

Answer 3

I thought that any work that is of your own making is already copyrighted to you anyway. What I have just wrote is copyright to myself and if you cut-and-paste whole chunks of it, then you are breaking my copyright, ditto with any photos you take or videos you film - the copyright belongs to you anyway.

You don't need to pay £££s to protect something that already exists!

Answer 4

Heres a site that will copyright your work online for a competitive fee: http://www.clickandcopyright.com/?gclid=CIu8jY_20YcCFUaMIgodqTFxVw