how do i get copyright om my work?

Answer 1

Go for it. http://www.copyright.gov/forms/

Answer 2

You already own the copyright on your own work. What you need to do is have PROOF, if ever you need to go to court, either to defend yourself from plagerism, or to sue someone for unauthorized use of YOUR creation.
You can either,
A) Get the appropriate paperwork from whatever government office that jandles that, OR
B) you can mail yourself a good quality copy. (Or a photograph, if you made a sculpture or something) When you get the envelope (or package), DO NOT OPEN! Just file it away, in case you ever need it.
Also, make sure you place the copyright symbol, along with WHO owns it (you or your company, for example), and the date. Hopefully, this will deter others from illegally using your material.
Good Luck in your endeavors.
HW

Answer 3

In my experience when someone asks "how do I copyright my work" I know what they are really asking is "how do I stop my work getting ripped off".

I'll get to that later, first let me explain about copyright and related matters.

Copyright is a very simple thing, and it means what it says it is the "right to copy".

The law in almost all the countries of the world (China being a notable exception) says that you automatically own the copyright for any created work that you create, at the moment of its creation.

In other words: every word you write, every doodle you make, every e-mail, every drawing, every photograph, every sculpture, every tune, every software program written -- if it is an original created work then you have the copyright automatically. You don't have to do anything, it's yours, it is a right that you have.

This "right to copy" which you own applies for a specific number of years, for writing and painting it is a number of years after your death. For musical recordings (not the writing of the music) it applies for 40 years in the UK, I think it's 70 years in the USA.

There are further modifications to this:

If the work is created as a consequence of your employment (maybe you are employed to write things) then the copyright is held by your employer.

Also, for example, you could photograph a modern painting (with permission) you don't own the copyright on the painting but you do own the copyright on *that* reproduction of the painting.

You can also sell the right to copy with any restrictions you want, for example: "You can use my article in your magazine once, with no extra fee for reprints."

So far so good.

You cannot copyright an idea "I have this great idea for a book" well, if you're paranoid (see below) don't tell anyone because they can use it with complete impunity. There is no protection for ideas.

Copyright does not apply to inventions. For that you have patents which protect the "implementation of an idea" (not the original idea).

Copyright does not apply to symbols, or short combinations of words. That's trademarks and (in the USA) service marks. For example, MacDonalds don't have copyright on "We're loving it" but it is a trademark and is protected, no one else can use it.

In the USA it is possible to officially register your created work. See other answerers for details on this.

Okay, that covers copyright. Now let's look at the real question.

"How do I protect my work from being ripped off?"

Only people new to the business of writing really worry about this sort of thing because no professional is going to rip you off.

Why would they? Would any agent or publisher (or film maker if it's a script) take the risk? Why would they go to the trouble at all?

The answer is: They won't. In fact if you present yourself as someone who's so unprofessional as to think that will happen they won't touch you with a barge pole; they'll just think "Oh-oh, this guy is going to be a problem."

Let us suppose for a moment that you believe someone has, in fact, ripped you off and you take them to court. What you have to be able to prove is "development", if you have lots of earlier versions, sketches, notes, research or whatever, that demonstrates that you have developed the work over time then you will win.

Of course, all the other party has to do is demonstrate the same thing. But no one is going to go to the trouble of faking proof of development, they might as well just write their own anyway because of the work involved. In fact, it would be easier just to pay YOU.

Paranoia is common in newbie writers, it is completely unfounded.

Sending the work to yourself in a sealed envelope is highly unlikely to be accepted in a court of law nowadays. You can register works with the various online companies. This is relatively cheap.

Anyone who tells you that Hollywood production companies won't look at a spec script unless it is registered with the WGA is merely perpetuating a common myth. It isn't true, but you can register it if you want.

Answer 4

Rocket Rider is right. As a publisher and an author, you own copyright the minute you write it. Put a copy in a sealed envelope and send it by registered mail to yourself. These days, you can email it to yourself in a zipped file but it is yet to be tested in Court in this country.

Answer 5

You haven't said what work this is? If it is work on the PC then the mear fact that it is on your PC is copy write but you would have to incorporate the little circled c you can find it on symbols. If it is greater work then you can apply for it. It costs from £50.00 to do it there are departments that deals with this and you would have to see about as patent as well. But you haven't said what work it is so I can only be general too.

Answer 6

Proceed to the Bureau of Archives in your National Library and inquire the officer in charge about your plight.