USA Copyrigth and books

[VydorScope]

Just a reminder for everyone, if you publish books they are automatically copyrighted, BUT the value of the copyright is pretty much worthless UNLESS you register your work. Here is the official word:

(src: http://www.copyright.gov/ )

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."

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?
Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

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.”

Pay special attention to that last part. If you plan to actually enforce your copyright in American courts, it must be registered. This also satisfies the Manidtory Deposit ( http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/ma...y_deposit.html ) requirement for American books.

It costs $35, per work, as a one time fee and the registration can be done in just a few minutes online.

I know nothing about other countries and how this applies/or not to them, this is only with regards to Americans.

[arjaybe]

I wouldn't bother doing that until/unless it becomes necessary.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

I wouldn't bother doing that until/unless it becomes necessary.

By then it would be too late and you would have no court admissible copyright.

Either way the mandatory deposit is a requirement even if you do not register your copyright so you might as well do both at once.

Its each person's own call, but everyone should read up and educate themselves on what the law says and make their own decision.

[Lazer]

Vydor:

"Either way the mandatory deposit is a requirement even if you do not register your copyright so you might as well do both at once."

I'm a bit confused by this mention of a "mandatory deposit." Perhaps the coffee hasn't soaked into my gray matter yet.

Could you expand on that? I visited the U.S. copyright page and didn't see it.

L

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Lazer

Vydor:

"Either way the mandatory deposit is a requirement even if you do not register your copyright so you might as well do both at once."

I'm a bit confused by this mention of a "mandatory deposit." Perhaps the coffee hasn't soaked into my gray matter yet.

Could you expand on that? I visited the U.S. copyright page and didn't see it.

It's linked in the OP...
http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/ma...y_deposit.html

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by VydorScope

By then it would be too late and you would have no court admissible copyright.

Not true. As long as you register a copyright by the time that a court hearing actually starts you're fine.

[VydorScope]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not true. As long as you register a copyright by the time that a court hearing actually starts you're fine.

That is partially true. It does limit what you can sue for (ie recouping legal fees and such) where there is no limit if you registered in advance.