How do you copyright a manuscript?

Question

I'm working on a series of books but I need to talk to various people for information but I don't want my ideas/work being stolen or copied. How do I go about copyrighting my work and ideas?, Thank you!

Answer 1

Send copies to yourself registered mail. The Post Office puts the date and time sent across the seal. Do not open it. This will hold up in any court. It is called a Poor Man's copyright.

Answer 2

Go here, the definitive source if you're in the USA:
http://www.copyright.gov/

Step 1
Make sure your work is a literary work. Literary works may be published or unpublished and include nondramatic textual works with or without illustrations. Computer programs and databases also are considered literary works. Here are more examples and specific information.
To register serials and periodicals, see the Serial Works instructions.

Step 2
Put into one envelope or package:
* a completed application Form TX or Short Form TX and Form CON if needed (choose which form to use)
* a $45 payment to "Register of Copyrights."
* nonreturnable copy(ies) of the material to be registered. Read details on deposit requirements.
Please read this important notice about mail delivery disruption.

Step 3
Send the package to:
Library of Congress
Copyright Office
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20559-6000

Your registration becomes effective on the day that the Copyright Office receives your application, payment, and copy(ies) in acceptable form. If your submission is in order, you will receive a certificate of registration in approximately 4 months.

Answer 3

I would assume the same way to copywrite a peice of music or a song. You put in an envelope, date it and then post it to yourself. Not sure why this copywrites it, but apparently it does.

Answer 4

Answer: asmik has the bottom line.
Even if you go through all the other gyrations mentioned above...
Postal date stamps are strong evidence!
Tegid Foel..SimplyWords Publications.