Copyright your literary work

Getting a copyright for your work is surprisingly simple. explains the 3-step process, which requires filing an application, paying $45, and mailing a non-returnable version of your work to the Library of Congress. Ever wondered what you can get a copyright for? It's probably more inclusive than you thought.

Common literary works include: fiction, nonfiction, manuscripts, poetry, contributions to collective works, compilations of data or other literary subject matter, dissertations, theses, reports, speeches, bound or looseleaf volumes, secure tests, pamphlets, brochures, textbooks, online works, reference works, directories, catalogs, advertising copy, single pages of text, tracts, games, automated databases, and computer programs.


Has anyone ever gone through the process and successfully obtained a copyright? Is the process as easy as it seems? Please share your experience in the comments.

Registering Copyrights for Literary Works []



jambarama is correct.

Under current US copyright law, you need not do anything for your work to be copyrighted. All protectable material is automatically copyrighted at the moment of creation without you doing anything.

But, unless you take the extra step of registering the copyright at the US copyright office in Washington, you will have to prove in court: a) that it's really your creation and not someone else's; and b) the dollar amount you lost because someone used your copyrighted material without permission.

That second one is pretty hard to prove.

For example, if someone rips off your photograph and publishes it, you might be hard pressed to prove the publisher couldn't have bought one like it from a photo stock house for $100 (or less).

Not to mention the time and expense of going to court in the first place.

Enter the copyright act: For registered works, there is a statutory payment schedule for different kinds of works, with payment amounts preset for each kind of infringement, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

The key is: you don't have to prove any loss of any kind - it's automatic.

That's one of the two principal reasons people and companies register everything. (The other is to put people who are searching for owners on notice that they are the ones to contact to license a particular work.)

The bottom line is this: if you are casually creating art (whether written visual or otherwise), and you don't really think your work has serious market value, you are not required to file with the copyright office for protection. In the event of an odd infringment, you're already covered and frankly, filling out the forms and filing fees, etc. is a pain. Just keep good copies and good records.

But if you are intending to take your work out into commerce (including the internet) and the hassle and expense of protecting it is worthwhile, then filing makes sense.

p.s. If you're doing this as your profession, your situation may warrant individual counseling and setting up a program to protect yourself. If so, you should get it.