Should I copyright my work?

Question

I've been giving a writing assignment as part as a job interview for a script writer for a series of children's animations

But i'm worried they'll just use my idea in the assignment for their series and not hire me, should I copyright my work? or will they take offense and get angry with me?

and is copyrighting my work simply putting © 2007 and my name at the bottom?

Answer 1

Ok here is the truth, once something is put in tangible form i.e written down, taped, recorded, drawn etc it automatically retains copyright. So if you write something the copyright subsists automatically. If someone then steals your work you can provide drafts and evidence that you hold the original and earliest copy of the work and they can be charged for breach of copyright. The moral of the story is always keep drafts, and try to date your work.

The interesting fact is that there is no copyright in ideas at all. So if you have an idea for a script and tell it to someone, and they actually write it, you have no claim in the material. Copyright protected work must be in a tangible form for copyright to subsist.So dont tell anyone ideas before you can record them or you might be in for a nasty shock!

Hope it helps!

Answer 2

You can do this at the US Copyright Office – see the last 2 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

There is a copyright law that states that as soon as anything is written, it is automatically copywritten-however, published authors often have to copyright their work when they get their book published so no one else will take their idea.

It depends on the writing assignment, do they give you the characters? Or just a general theme to write about? If you want to get it professionally copywritten, it costs about $45 from the Library of Congress.

Answer 4

Once you write it, it is yours. You own the copyright. However if you are considering sending to a publisher, dont put that on it and dont pay for a copyright. It's considered amateur. Pax - C.

Answer 5

Yes, quiet possible, I know that many companies are doing so and they just ignore the author/writer once they utilize the same!!!

Answer 6

Just make sure your last name is on every page and you have the original copy. If they steal it, you get rich!
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Answer 7

Yes. Or, tell them to put it in their company name and put "contributed by _________"