Do you have to have writing copyrighted to protect it from plagiarism?

Question

I know I have read before that when works of art are created, such as writing, they are immediately copyrighted from that moment of creation. I was wondering if this is still correct, or if I wrote a novel and I would have to also do something else to protect my creation from someone copying it?

Answer 1

In the United States, copyright exists as you have described it. The website of the United States Copyright Office says this: "Copyright protection subsists from the time the work is created in fixed form. The copyright in the work of authorship immediately becomes the property of the author who created the work."

It is also, though, possible to register a work. You can read more about all of this at the link below.

Answer 2

The minute you write something you own it - legally. It is copyrighted. You should NEVER purchase a copyright yourself if you intend to send your work to a publisher of agent. They consider that unprofessional and amateur. They feel you don't trust them. If and when you are fortunate enough to sell your work to a publisher, there will be a clause in your contract that states the publisher will obtain the necessary copyrights for you. That is Industry Standard.

Sadly there are too many people here who answer questions without fully knowing the answers. They shouldn't.

For that reason, I have starred a number of good Q and A regarding writing and publishing here. You can access them through my profile. Many add me as a fan and keep up with the answers I star. They are making their own reference books.

Trust me - this is the correct information. Do NOT send away for a copyright. You will be cutting your own nose off. Your best protection is not to post it online. Pax - C

Pax - C

Answer 3

Yes you are correct. Onc an an artisit creates an original work of art it is copyrighted. But in the event some one sues you or you sue someone else you have the legal document that protects you.

Answer 4

No, it does not need to be officially copyrighted