Law and Justice

To get a copyright on a book by itself is a question many new writers and it is also a very important question. Some writers do not have their work stolen or copied by another person, it will happen, and preparation is the greatest
defense.

What is Copyright?

Many have no idea that your work is “copyrighted” the moment you have produced it; it is associated with you exclusively. Once your work is in a concrete form (down on paper, in the case of literary work), it’s yours and you have the legal ownership.

Unfortunately, this is a fairly nebulous protection, legally. You realize you own it, but a court might want to see that you have registered the copyright.

Registering copyright proves your legal ownership of the work. So while you own the work immediately, copyrighting it (more accurately, registering the copyright) provides you with the legal proof you need in the event of problems.

If you should find yourself a victim of plagiarism, you’ll want the copyright registered before you litigate your claim. Having registered the copyright as soon as the work was either complete or published strengthens your claim.

How to Register

Registering a copyright is simple and inexpensive. When you have completed your book, get yourself a copyright form from the US Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov). There are three forms available for copyrighting literary works, and also the Copyright Office’s web site can help you choose which form you need.

You will have to submit the shape, a $50 copyright registration fee, and one copy of your work in its “best edition.” If you’re copyrighting an unpublished work, you’ll send a duplicate of the manuscript; if copyrighting a published work, send the hardcover edition if a person exists.

You may also register through their website and pay only $35. Reached the Copyright Office website at copyright.gov and click electronic Copyright Office.

Be prepared to wait from nine to 22 months to get your certificate.

Watch out for Scams

Because copyright is less difficult than lots of people realize, there are plenty of unscrupulous people ready to take advantage of individuals who have no idea how to copyright their work. These scam artists will offer you to “copyright” your projects for you-for a fee.

You do not need to hire a copyright agent, and there is no have to pay someone else to take care of your copyright registration. A few of the agents offering to get this done are reputable; other medication is not, plus some happen to be known to register copyrights in their own names. All of them, however, offer to behave, for the next fee. You can do this yourself.

Registering your copyright ought to be a part of your publishing process. If you use a publisher, by sure that they register the copyright in your name, not theirs.

With copyright registration so available to all writers, copyrighting your new works should become almost automatic.