Copyright question?

Question

If I want to do an online comic how do I copyright my characters? Where do I send them to copyright them? Is there a website to do that or something?

Answer 1

Under the current copyright law, your creation is copyrighted by the very act of the creation. You cannot sue for infringement though, unless you register them at the Library of Congress. Check their website. catalog.loc.gov

Answer 2

Just in creating the images, you own the copyrights, and can make a legal claim against unauthorized use.

However, there are clear and valuable benefits to registering your copyrights, especially if it is necessary for you to take legal action against someone using or distributing your work without your permission.

Do a quick web search for the US Government Copyright sites. I do not believe you can register on line, but the agency site can give you good informtion on how to do it and the associated costs. DO not pay anyone else who offers to do it for you. The process is simple, and you don't need to waste time and money on websites that offer these services.

The proper agency will have a ".gov" suffix

Answer 3

The last time I checked on the copywrite laws:

You must mark your items birth with the date, your signature or initials and the C with the circle around it. There are different rules on how this is affixed to the art (since some art may be a sculpture or a fiber not just a drawing).

This MARK is your intention to register a copywrite and must be affixed BEFORE the item is "presented for public viewing". You can't do a drawing, sell it or print it and sell copies and then years later go back and copywrite it.

The law also say you ...must register your copywrite at your earliest convenience...And I might add ...what your "earliest convenience" is has never been described. So this week, Next month or 5 years from now????

So I mark my favorite art with the mark and at my earliest convenience I do intend to do the paperwork to register it.

Now it has been several years since I got this information my patent attorney, and things could change.

A little note: If you make a drawing and marked with you intent to copywrite and take it to a printer to have 100 prints made for you to sell. He is NOT obligated to return those prints to you. THOSE PRINTS are now his art work. (Not a good thing) And this was being tested in court a while back and I don't know how it turned out. So if you take drawings to be printed have your printer sign a form that the items will be returned to you...,.at least until you can verify what the latest law is on this particular item. And be sure you get his signature that ALL prints will be returned to you I caught my printer keep over a 100 each of my printing so he could pass it out to his friends. Needless to say it was the last time he printed for me.

Maybe there is a copywrite/patent lawyer out there who could clear this up for us.

Lots of luck. But be sure you mark them as soon as you finish them.

Answer 4

I asked a question just like this. A professional at tokyopop.com said your characters and stories are protected as long as you have like work showing YOU are the creator (a rough draft, character notes, etc.)

If you want to minimize the chances of our idea being taken just put up a warning on the site saying that your characters are protected.

Answer 5

Yes, by creating it, it is yours. If you want more info on how the copyright works or if you would like share parts or your creation with other go to creativecommons.org. Its a great site with tons of info.

Anthony pittarelli

Answer 6

http://www.copyright.gov/

Turns out you can file electronically now. That's a brand-new option. It's also $10 less.