How do you?

Question

Copyright a poem online before we post it on here for critiquing?

Answer 1

Your poem is protected by copyright the moment you print it out, save it to your computer file, etc. When you save your poem to a hard drive, floppy disk, CD, whatever, it puts the date the poem was saved onto the file name (part of the file's properties). This should be sufficient proof of when the poem was created, especially if you have others kept the same way. There are more complicated ways to prove you wrote it on any particular day, but unless you really strike it rich, this should be sufficient. Just so you know, a copyright is not something you need to apply for...it's automatic.

Answer 2

On poetry.com, whenever you post a poem they copyright a poem for you. Then after it is posted remember when you are highlighting it to copy and paste on here to copy the bottom where is shows the copyright proof.

Answer 3

I don't know if it works, but there is something that people call the "poor man's copyright." You print out a dated copy of your poem and mail it to yourself. When you get it, don't open it, just keep it. This is helpful if someone tries to steal your material, because you have proof that it was yours.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Put a little (c) on it. While not legally binding, it may make people think you are aware of copyright and will prosecute if needed.

Answer 5

In a civilised country like Canada you don't have to do anything; you just have to be able to show when you wrote something. The rest of the world is somewhat less civilised. Don't live there.

Answer 6

you need to put in fixed form. so write out the poem on paper before submitting electronically. that has you covered.