Re: how do I copywright my work?

More | Report Post

On 12/23/02, K. Mellas wrote:
> I wish to copywright some literary materials and ideas I
> have produced before I send them overseas to be reviewed in
> October. Please write me back with the technical details
> and amounts of money involved in copywrighting my works.
> Thank you.
>
> --K. Mellas

K. Mellas

A few points of clarification. Your material became
copyrighted on the moment it was fixed in tangible form. All
you need to do to protect the materials is to add three
things: (1) the word "copyright" or the copyright symbol
(i.e., a c in a circle); (2) the name of the copyright owner
(which I assume is you); and (3) the year that the work was
created (e.g.; "Copyright, K. Melas, 2002").

Please understand that there is a difference between the
material being copyrighted and the copyright being registered
with the Library of Congress. The registration process is
NOT NECESSARY to protect your work. Rather, registration is
only necessary if you want to sue someone because they copied
your work. If and when that situation arises, you can always
register your copyright at that time.

To register, you need to fill out a form and submit it to the
Register of Copyrights at the Library of Congress. There are
different forms depending on whether the work is a sculpture,
a recording, a literary work, etc. There is a fee associated
with the registration process. I don't know exactly the
amount, but it is nominal. The forms and fee schedule are
available on the library of Congress website.

Joe

Re: who do i go to, 3/26/03, by Dawn M..

Intellectual Property Law Chatboard

LATEST POSTS | BY TOPICS | SUBMIT A POST