Copyright questions.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

Would it be good to try and get one? Would it cause problems with an agent or publisher?

What about the cost?

All info is welcomed!

[NYC_SKP]

1. AFAIK there is no cost.

Copyright is automatic with publication. This means there used to be a cost but now, with the Internet, you can pretty easily publish material on a blog or even here.

Just for kicks, I hope you'll look into creative commons licenses: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/

[AnotherMcIntosh]

2. From the U.S. Copyright Office:

"What is copyright?
"Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.

"What does copyright protect?
"Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. Copyright does not protect facts, ideas, systems, or methods of operation, although it may protect the way these things are expressed. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section "What Works Are Protected."
...
"When is my work protected?
"Your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created and fixed in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

"Do I have to register with your office to be protected?
"No. In general, registration is voluntary. Copyright exists from the moment the work is created. You will have to register, however, if you wish to bring a lawsuit for infringement of a U.S. work. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration.”

"Why should I register my work if copyright protection is automatic?"Registration is recommended for a number of reasons. Many choose to register their works because they wish to have the facts of their copyright on the public record and have a certificate of registration. Registered works may be eligible for statutory damages and attorney's fees in successful litigation. Finally, if registration occurs within 5 years of publication, it is considered prima facie evidence in a court of law. See Circular 1, Copyright Basics, section “Copyright Registration” and Circular 38b, Highlights of Copyright Amendments Contained in the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA), on non-U.S. works.

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-general.html

[SheilaT]

3. Once you actually write the words down, you own the copyright.

It is a mark of an amateur to put a copyright notice on anything you're sending out to agents or editors. Once something is accepted, the actual publisher usually copyrights officially, usually in your own name.

Worrying that others will steal your work is not worth expending any energy on. Really.

[nolabear]

4. Exactly. Publishing establishes the copyright.

[SheilaT]

5. You don't even need to publish.

It helps a lot if you have some kind of record, either in hard copy or electronic, that establishes that YOU wrote those words.

Generally speaking, if you are published by any kind of legitimate publisher, they actually take care of the silly details. I have had exactly one mainstream publication, nearly 20 years ago, and the copyright, while obtained by the outfit that published, is in my name. Not that anyone is very likely to want to plagiarize my little story, or use it in some other form. It's of course a fantasy of mine that someone would stumble across it and (smacking forehead with palm) say OMG! This is brilliant! I want to republish/make a movie/create a TV show. Alas, I doubt that will ever happen.

[nolabear]

6. That's what I meant, actually. You publishing it on the web or in a record establishes it.

Generally rights revert to the author after something is published. But you know that. Soooo...what's your publication? PM if you're not into being public. Or let me know if you're not interested in sharing. No pressure.

[SheilaT]

7. Writer's of the Future

1994.

I then stopped writing for a long time, and a couple of years ago got the bug again. I'm writing steadily, occasionally submitting, and hope eventually to be published again.

[nolabear]

8. Best of luck. It's a Brave New World!

[mainer]

9. The "Copyright" symbol on a manuscript is a sure sign of an amateur

Sorry, but don't do it. Agents and editors do not steal stories. When they see that little "C" on the title page, they know they're dealing with a paranoid writer and it turns them off.