How do you copyright?

Question

I am trying to copyright my poetry, some photography and a spoken word CD I recorded, I heard if you mail everything to yourself and don't open it when you receive it that can be considered a form of copyrighting, is this true? Should I mail the package to myself?

Answer 1

No, it is not true. It can be used as a backup in case you ever need to go to court, but it does not copyright your work. According to the Copyright Act of 1976, your work is copyrighted as soon as it is fixed in a tangible format, i.e., as soon as you wrote the poem, took the picture, recorded your CD.

However...if you want better legal protection for your work, you'll need to *register* the copyright through the Copyright Office at the Library of Congress, http://www.copyright.gov/. There are circulars, forms and brochures at the website which explain copyright in detail and provide the forms you'll need to fill out.

Answer 2

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 4 links in the source box. The application is fairly simple & the cost is $45 per application.

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!

Answer 3

Poor Mans way. Mail a copy to the Library of Congress. They will send it back stamped. As long as it is sealed, it is protected as anything along those lines that needs protecting from infringement will be found in the library of congress.

Answer 4

Yes that is true.....Mail the package to yourself

Answer 5

http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
http://www.copyrightkids.org/cbasicsframes.htm
http://www.peterkrogh.com/copyright/main.html
http://www.benedict.com/Info/Law/How.aspx