Do I need to copyright my book before I send it to perspective publishers?

Answer 1

While I recognize that the other answers here were given in the spirit of being truly helpful, the suggestion about 'poor mans copyright' - that is, mailing a copy back to yourself (with postmark being proof of date of ownership) or even another example I've heard of - taking a photo of yourself, your work and a daily newspaper - don't really work when it comes to copyright in the way you might think.

My knowledge of copyright law is rooted in copyright as it applies to music, but many of the principles are the same, and it will provide you with a bit of information and you can then look into more specific information for your own purposes.

Firstly, what most people don't understand is that as soon as a tangible copy of a work has been created, it is copyrighted. That means that if you sing a melody into a tape recorder, write a poem down on a napkin, or write down the lyrics to a song it is automatically copyrighted. You are the owner of the work. However, an IDEA cannot be copyrighted - meaning if you hum an original tune in your head, or if you have an idea for a novel you'd like to write, it cannot be copyrighted until there is a tangible record of it.

What you are really asking is about *registering* your work with the US Copyright Office. To register for copyright protection, you will have to fill out some forms from the US Copyright Office and pay the fee required for literary works ($45). What this does for you is that it gives you exclusive rights to the work and allows you to (or to allow others to) reproduce the work, make derivative works, distribute the work, to perform the work, to display the work or (for sound recordings) to perform a work publicly through a digital transmission.

Most importantly, if there was a point that you would have to pursue legal action against someone for violation of copyright, you MUST apply for copyright, as you have no right to sue before that. Having it regsitered will entitle you to statutory damages if your work is infringed upon. You must apply for copyright in a "timely fashion", which in music means within 3 months of the song/album/etc being released, or before infringement occurs. Your copyright is valid as soon as they process it at the copyright office, although you may not receive paperwork back from the copyright office for up to a year.

I apologize for going into such detail, but I wanted to clear up a few misunderstandings that some people have about how copyright works.

To answer your question: Your work is copyrighted the moment you write it down, but you should definately register your copyright with the US Copyright Office before sending it to perspective publishers. Yes, it costs money, but it also will protect you.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Technically no. However, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

It also depends on how you are trying to get published. Unless you have a literary agent, I'd advise against sending it to the big boys (Doubleday, Harper Collins...) they won't even take a look at it.

The best is to go with a self publisher in these cases, such as the one I use, iuniverse.com. They will make the copyright seal on your work and have packages that will make the protection official.

Technically once someone else besides the author has read it, it is unofficially copyrighted. But spending the around $35.00 to do so couldn't hurt.

Answer 3

It would be a good idea, if you can afford it. There is the poor man's copyright that can stand up in court if needed.

You place the original manuscript in an envelope or package and seal it with tape or wax. Then you mail it to yourself. The government postal cancellation works as an authentication stamp.

Never open it unless you have to.

Answer 4

Yes, you do. The "poor man's copyright" described above is effective. But please, before you send your book, make sure you have spelled everything correctly or it will end up in the round file for sure.

Answer 5

YES!!! you need to copy right your book unlrss you want some one to stell it from you. whe you get pupblished the company will buy rights to the copyright from you (i woun't give them full right keep some for your self)

Answer 6

It's a good idea. That way, you can prove that it's yours if something goes wrong.

Answer 7

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You really don't want people stealing your work.


Good luck!

Answer 8

You don't have to, no.