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11 answers

You can copyright it just by writing "copyright" on it with your name and year. it's protected by copyright just because you wrote it. But what you really want is to register your copyright. You do that by sending a couple of copies with an application and a small payment to the copyright office.

2007-08-31 02:48:47 · answer #1 · answered by Matthew O 5 · 0 2

As a result of the Copyright Extension Act of 1998 you own all rights to your work you created during or after 1978 for your lifetime +70 years. Until you choose to sell all or part of the copyright for the work. This is only for your unique combination of words...Ideas or facts can not be copyrighted.

Mailing something to yourself does not give you copyright.
Good editors, publishers and agents know this law. There is no need for you to register your work....it will make you appear unprofessional and a novice.
If you want to register your work it costs $30 and you have to get an application from the Library of Congress copyright office in Washington DC.

Good luck

2007-08-31 03:29:00 · answer #2 · answered by Barbiq 6 · 1 0

It's copyrighted from the moment it's fixed to a permanent medium, whether paper, your hard drive, or your blood on a tablecloth.

To register the copyright, go to loc.gov.

However, if you intend to sell the manuscript to a publisher, don't copyright it. Instead, research potential publishers' legitimacy and send it only to real publishers, who would go out of business if they stole manuscripts. They'll handle copyright after any changes they may require of you are complete.

Edited to add:
Poor Man’s Copyright: The Myth That Refuses to Die
Mailing a manuscript to yourself doesn’t offer any legally-accepted proof of what script you had completed on what date, copyright, ownership, or anything else. The courts *in the US* (I don't know the law in other countries) do not recognize “Poor Man’s Copyright” at all.

Poor man's copyright is unaffected by special mail services (priority, certified, registered, delivery receipts, etc.) or delivery by other parties (FedEx, UPS). It doesn’t matter if the envelope remains sealed or if anyone witnessed the sending or receipt of the envelope.

The Library of Congress website says, “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.”

Sending your manuscript to yourself offers no legal protection at all. None.

2007-08-31 02:48:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3 1

By writing it you already have the intellectual rights to the manuscript.

To gain the copyright, you might approach a lawyer and he or she may write you a costly letter of affirmation; stating that you produced the book at their office on such a date.

A CHEAPER METHOD IS TO USE THE POSTAL SYSTEM

Photocopy your manuscript - take the copy and put it inside the strongest packaging you can afford - wrap it well - coz you will use the wrapping, if necessary, in a court of law. Send yourself the wrapped parcel containing the copied manuscript by registered mail - NEVER OPEN THE PARCEL.- it will have a processing mark that has a date on it (at least it does in the UK - it'll be the same where you are)

If your copyright is ever tested, you have an unopened package that has never been opened and has been processed by the mail (there will be various mechanisms in place for confirming that the parcel has been in transit through the mail system and finally delivered - your signature is recorded remember).

I think this is the most ingenious methods that I had ever heard of and is relatively cheaper than going to a lawyer.

2007-08-31 03:00:13 · answer #4 · answered by cornflake#1 7 · 0 4

Send a copy to the Copyright Office with $30 fee. You can get forms online now. I've had many books copyrighted.

2007-08-31 03:33:14 · answer #5 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 0 0

as quickly as your manuscript is outlined or perhaps produced in any style, that counts as a copyright. in the previous you deliver it everywhere, determine which you do have thoroughly edited your manuscript to the superb of your skill and characteristic written adequate drafts which you somewhat have faith that it is in a position to deliver out. Then while picking an editor, verify you have a real one and not only somebody who will value you a fee and then disappear.

2016-12-12 14:41:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I had this situation with a small booklet i wrote many years ago.

I was told to make a copy of the original manuscript, then seal the original in an A4 size envelope and post it to myself making sure that the post office put an extra date stamp on each of the sealed points, top, bottom and sides to make it evident that it hadn't been tampered with and then keep it intact in case of dispute. This i had done and 21 years later still have the original sealed thus.

As it was a potted history of one aspect of my local area i lodged a copy with the local county records office who had it bound for reference purposes. Unfortunately you cannot prevent plagiarism and in at least one more recent treatise i have seen a chunk of my pamphlet directly copied without acknowledgement but had to let it ride.

Good Luck

2007-08-31 02:56:02 · answer #7 · answered by freddiem 5 · 0 2

Do NOT listen to advice about sending yourself a copy in the mail. This does not hold up in court. It's been a myth for decades that this is 'legal' proof.

2007-08-31 04:32:47 · answer #8 · answered by james p 5 · 2 1

To everyone that suggested you mail it to yourself, even AFTER another person posted information discrediting this myth, these people are complete idiots.

The page for copyright information is http://www.copyright.gov

2007-08-31 07:11:24 · answer #9 · answered by bardsandsages 4 · 0 1

The cheapest and easiest way is to make a copy of it and mail it to yourself, registered delivery. Don't open the package and try to ensure the date is clear (sending registered should help with this.) This system is recognised by law.

2007-08-31 02:49:23 · answer #10 · answered by Away With The Fairies 7 · 1 4

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